2016 Barde-Haut, St-Emilion
SKU #1417816
96 points
Vinous
Readers will find a rich, flamboyant wine in the 2016 Barde-Haut. There is not a ton of subtlety here, but I am not sure that matters all that much given how immensely pleasing the 2016 is. Crushed rocks, graphite, lavender, blackberry, plum, and violet infuse a Saint-Émilion that offers tremendous textural richness as well as vibrancy. Most importantly of all, the 2016 is flat-out delicious. This is a decidedly opulent, dark Saint-Émilion with all of the elements impeccably balanced. I loved it. (AG)
(1/2019)
95 points
Jeb Dunnuck
Lastly, the 2016 Château Barde-Haut might end up being the best wine ever made at this address from the Garcin-Lévêque family, and it certainly ranks with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Dense purple-hued with awesome notes of cassis, black cherries, spring flowers, damp earth, and violets, it hits the palate with incredible purity and precision, a deep, multi-dimensional texture, sweet tannins (from ripe fruit, not sugar), and a building sense of minerality that shows on the finish. It has the depth of fruit and elegance to shine even today yet will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and evolve for two decades. (JD) 95+
(3/2020)
95 points
The Wine Independent
The 2016 Barde Haut is deep garnet-purple in color. It has a powerful nose of black and blue fruit with hints of cumin seed, Sichuan pepper, candied violets, and anise. Medium to full-bodied, the firm, grainy palate is packed with rich black fruits, finishing long and peppery. (LPB)
(1/2023)
94 points
James Suckling
This shows such complex and beautiful aromas of flowers, lavender, light spearmint and currants. Medium to full body, very fine tannins and a long finish. All about finesse and length.
(4/2019)
93 points
Wine Advocate
The 2016 Barde Haut is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up expressive wild blueberries, kirsch, baked plums and spice box notes with hints of cracked pepper, lavender, garrigue and Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied and richly fruited in the mouth, the palate bursts with blue fruits, framed by firm, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long. (LPB) 93+
(3/2019)
K&L Notes
94 points, Neal Martin in Vinous: "The 2016 Barde-Haut has a crisp and well defined bouquet, very pure, with black cherries, blueberry, violet and a touch of crushed stone, all very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, silky smooth in texture with pure black cherries, raspberry and light orange rind notes towards the finish. This represents an impressive follow-up to the 2015. Tasted at the Barde-Haut vertical at the château." (06/2022)
