2016 Château Tronquoy-Lalande

Description

93   Decanter
“The wine shows much palate depth and richness, with Merlot coming to the fore. Impressive body but with freshness too, if not among the top wines in terms of racy elegance. I also tasted a 2005, which was impressive but not quite as precise as the 2016 – proof of just how much the estate has improved over the last 10 years. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030” (3/2019)

93    James Suckling
“The aromas of violets and flowers are impressive in this with dark fruit underneath. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh and bright finish. Shows beautiful depth and resilience. Drink from 2023.” (1/2019)

93    Lisa Perrotti-Brown for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2016 Tronquoy-Lalande has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed blackberries and black cherries with herbs, cigar box and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it offers good concentration and depth with firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and perfumed.” (11/2018)

92    Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2016 Château Tronquoy-Lalande checks in as a blend of 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, all aged 12 months in 30% new barrels. It offers a ripe, black-fruited, classic Saint-Estèphe profile of blackcurrants, plums, graphite, and tobacco leaf. This gives way to a ripe, rounded, impressively concentrated wine that has sweet tannins and a great finish. It will keep for 15-20 years.” (2/2019)

92    Neal Martin for Vinous
“The 2016 Tronquoy-Lalande, picked from September 27 to October 15, is a blend of 58% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, matured in 30% new oak. It has a well-defined blackberry, bilberry, cedar and violet bouquet that gains intensity in the glass. The nicely balanced palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, gentle grip and plenty of freshness on the finish. Very fine.” (1/2019)

92    Roger Voss for Wine Enthusiast
“Dark tannins and rich, succulent fruit mark this wine made by the same team as Château Montrose. Black fruits and solid, concentrated tannins contrast with the acidity that still shows through strongly. The wine needs time and will be ready to drink from 2023.” (2/2019)

92    James Molesworth for Wine Spectator
“This has a fairly intense beam of kirsch, blackberry paste and plum reduction flavors leading the way, supported by a wide swath of loam and tobacco leaf notes. There’s a bright chalky hint at the end giving this life while keeping it on the austere side. Should age nicely. Best from 2023 through 2034.” (2019)