Château Olivier 2016

Appellation: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France

Classification: Cru Classé de Graves (red and white)

Ownership: Bethmann family

Grape varieties (red) : Majority Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Vintage: 2016

Tasting

Colour: Intense garnet-red, brilliant, with purple highlights.

Nose: Pure and elegant. Notes of ripe black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry), cherry, enhanced by hints of spice (pepper, liquorice), minerality (graphite) and perfectly integrated oak (vanilla, light toastiness).

Palate: Supple, precise attack. Beautiful tannic structure, silky and racy, supporting ripe, bright fruit. The mid-palate is full and harmonious, with a remarkable freshness that prolongs the tasting. The finish is long and elegant, with the spicy, slightly smoky nuances typical of Graves wines.

Review

- Wine Advocate: 91/100

- Vinous (Neal Martin): 92/100

- James Suckling: 93/100

Suggested pairings

Excellent with grilled or roasted red meats (rib of beef, entrecote, duck breast), roast lamb or tajine with mild spices. Also ideal with roast poultry (guinea fowl, free-range chicken), as well as characterful stews (beef stew, braised beef cheek). It also goes very well with hard ripened cheeses (Comté, vieux Cantal) or slightly blue-veined cheeses.