Millésime 2016
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Millésime 2016
Rarity

Château Charmail 2016

The 2016 Charmail opens with a fleshy attack, bursting with ripe fruit flavors. It boasts a dense and velvety body, evolving seamlessly on the palate with a long, flavorful finish. The wine shows an unprecedented precision of texture, offering layers of rich, concentrated fruit that are beautifully balanced with fine tannins and acidity. It is a delight to drink, with a blend of power and elegance that promises great aging potential.

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Tasting notes

Legendary Elegance

  • Appearance: Deep garnet with a purple hue, showing vibrancy and youth.
  • Nose: Intense aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and subtle floral notes. Hints of cigar box, cedar, and graphite lend complexity.
  • Palate: Powerful yet refined, with structured tannins and concentrated dark fruit. Blackcurrant, plum, and subtle spice notes blend seamlessly with mineral undertones. The finish is elegant, with excellent aging potential.
Key wine facts
  • Country of Origin: France
  • Region of Origin: Bordeaux, Left bank
  • Appellation: Haut-Médoc
  • Varietals: 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
  • Type: Red Wine
  • Alcohol Content: 14% ABV
  • Vine Age: 31 years
  • Terroir: Clay gravels
  • Viticulture: Soil work, Manual leaf stripping, Green harvest
  • Harvest: 100% Manual, from October 8th to October 19th, 2016.
  • Vinification: Cold pre-fermentation maceration (15 days at 5 degrees), extraction at a maximum of 26 degrees, stopping extraction around a density of 1030.
  • Aging: 12 months of aging in French oak barrels, with 25% new barrels.
  • Oenologist: Hubert de Boüard
  • Production: 120,000 bottles of 1st wine

Poured at
  • Critic

    Reviews

    Decanter
    94

    “Tons of personality and concentration, delivering on 2016 expectations. Cassis, chocolate, slate, clear oak toasting well handled. One that shows the value at this level of cru bourgeois. The Petit Verdot makes a definite contribution to spice and colour.”

  • Critic

    Reviews

    Jeb Dunnuck
    92

    “From a 28.5-hectare vineyard overlooking the Gironde River on the northern side of Saint-Estephe, the 2016 Château Charmail is one of those hidden gems in the vintage that should be snatched up by readers. It’s a medium to full-bodied, elegant, classic wine that offers lots of darker fruits (cassis and blackberry), spice, new saddle leather, and leafy herbs as well as a kiss of damp earth. It has terrific balance and is going to keep for 15-20 years. The blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, all brought up in one-third new French oak. A total of 80% of the production went into the grand vin.”

  • Critic

    Reviews

    Robert Parker
    91+

    “The 2016 Charmail is blended of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot aged for 12 months in roughly one-third each new, one-year-old and two-year-old French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers intense scents of crème de cassis, cedar chest and pencil lead with touches of yeast extract and menthol. Medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of chewy tannins and plenty of mint-laced fruit, it finishes just a little woody at this youthful stage but should dial that in beautifully with another year or two in bottle.”

From vine to wine

Viticulture

The 2016 vintage was one for the books, with a remarkably warm and dry summer after a wet spring. The early season rainfall was crucial in replenishing the water reserves, allowing the vines to withstand the intense summer heat. The Cabernet Sauvignon, planted in well-draining gravel soils, thrived under these conditions, developing rich tannins and deep color. Merlot, though more sensitive to heat, was supported by the clay-limestone soils, which preserved its freshness despite the summer sun. This vintage delivered power with finesse, reflecting the resilience of both the terroir and the vines.

Harvest

The 2016 harvest began on October 8th, slightly later than usual, allowing for full phenolic ripeness across all varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon performed exceptionally well, with the late harvest favoring its tannin development. Harvesting was a careful and patient process, with each parcel picked at optimal ripeness. The Petit Verdot, known for its late-ripening tendencies, was the last to be brought in, adding a final touch of spice and intensity to the blend.

Vinification

In 2016, the vinification focused on enhancing the natural concentration of the fruit. Cold maceration was extended to 15 days, followed by a slow, controlled fermentation at low temperatures. This careful approach preserved the freshness and depth of the vintage, while gentle extraction allowed the tannins to develop smoothly. The team took their time, allowing the wine to build its structure gradually, resulting in a vintage with great balance and long aging potential.

Aging

The 2016 vintage was aged in 225L French oak barrels for 12 months, with 25% new oak. The combination of fresh fruit and oak aging gave the wine a seamless integration of flavors, with notes of dark berries complemented by hints of vanilla, cedar, and spice. The extended aging process helped soften the tannins while adding complexity and depth to the wine, making it a vintage that will continue to improve with age.

Millésime
2016
Pairs well with
Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
Braised Lamb Shank with Garlic and Rosemary
Roasted Beet Salad and Goat Cheese
Grilled Sea Bass with Lemon and Dill