2016 Wine

The 2016 vintage: rare balance and wines destined to become legendary

The 2016 vintage is considered one of France’s greatest of the 21st century, rivalling 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2015. After a spring marked by heavy rain and mildew pressure, summer drought slowed ripening before two welcome spells of rain in September revived the vines. The result: 2016 wines of rare precision, combining concentration, freshness and balance. The great Bordeaux wines of 2016 are at their best, particularly on the Left Bank, where Pauillac 2016, Margaux 2016, Saint-Julien 2016 and Saint-Estèphe 2016 benefit from outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. On the Right Bank, Pomerol 2016 and Saint-Émilion 2016 impress with their velvety texture and generosity. But 2016 red wine also shines beyond Bordeaux: Rhône 2016 wines show exceptional finesse in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, while Burgundy 2016 wines from Vosne-Romanée, Puligny-Montrachet and Nuits-Saint-Georges offer rarity and elegance. In the Loire, Sancerre 2016, Chinon 2016 and Vouvray 2016 complete the picture. A great 2016 wine stands out for its perfect balance, depth and extraordinary ageing potential.

Bordeaux 2016: classic grace and modern depth

In Bordeaux, the 2016 vintage has been unanimously hailed by critics as historic. The Médoc’s Cabernet Sauvignon grapes reached perfect phenolic ripeness: Pauillac 2016 has exceptional density and tannic structure, Saint-Julien 2016 impresses with its remarkable consistency, and Margaux 2016 combines floral finesse with intensity. On the Right Bank, Pomerol 2016 and Saint-Émilion 2016 shine with their velvety texture and generosity. The Wine Advocate awarded no fewer than nine 100/100 scores to wines from this vintage — a record that highlights its consistent excellence at the highest level.

Château Mouton Rothschild 2016 has been described as “one of the most accomplished Moutons of recent decades”, with incomparable fragrance and power. Château Cheval Blanc 2016 comes close to absolute perfection. Cos d’Estournel 2016 exceeds expectations in Saint-Estèphe: James Suckling awards it 100/100 for a captivating aromatic profile. Château Margaux 2016 perfectly illustrates the vintage’s exceptional elegance with its silky tannins and aromatic depth, earning acclaim across the international press. Pétrus, Latour, Lafite, Haut-Brion, Angélus and Figeac complete this exceptional line-up.

Burgundy 2016: a rare vintage, with concentrated and vibrant wines

In Burgundy, 2016 will be remembered for its low production due to frost and hail. But quality is outstanding in the areas that were spared. The red wines of the Côte de Nuits are dense, structured and fragrant: Gevrey-Chambertin 2016 is robust and refined, Vosne-Romanée 2016 is silky and captivating, and Chambolle-Musigny 2016 shines with delicacy. The 2016 white wines of the Côte de Beaune and Chablis impress with their purity and mineral tension.

In 2016, Domaine Georges Roumier produced Bonnes Mares and Chambolle-Musigny wines of remarkable finesse and depth, rated 19/20 by Jancis Robinson — among the vintage’s most sought-after cuvées. Domaine Arnoux Lachaux emerged as Burgundy’s great revelation of 2016 with its Latricières Chambertin 2016, a wine of extraordinary concentration and elegance. Coche-Dury in Meursault, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Armand Rousseau and Raveneau in Chablis complete the picture of Burgundy’s great successes in 2016.

Rhône Valley 2016: sun-drenched intensity and balance in an outstanding vintage

The Rhône 2016 has been unanimously described as a vintage of the century by Decanter, La Revue du Vin de France and the international press. In the north, Syrah reached ideal phenolic ripeness: Hermitage 2016 wines are deep, peppery and full of vitality, while Côte-Rôtie 2016 combines smoothness, black fruit and smoky notes with exceptionally fine tannins. In the south, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 wines are majestic, rich yet fresh, and remarkably drinkable.

Chapoutier produced two legendary wines in 2016, L’Ermite and Le Pavillon Hermitage, both rated 100/100 by The Wine Advocate — Syrahs of exceptional concentration and incomparable mineral tension. Jean-Louis Chave produced an Hermitage 2016 that La Revue du Vin de France ranks among the greatest wines of his career, with rare depth and balance. In Côte-Rôtie, Guigal La Landonne, La Mouline and La Turque stand as benchmarks for the appellation. Auguste Clape produced an exceptional Cornas 2016, while Domaine Jamet Côte Brune 2016 confirms the extraordinary quality of the northern Rhône. Clos des Papes and Beaucastel represent the south at its finest.

Champagne 2016: precision and elegance for ageing

Champagne saw moderate yields in 2016 but excellent grape quality, particularly for Chardonnay. Decanter highlights the vintage’s precision and tension, making it ideal for many years of ageing. The leading houses that waited before releasing their wines have produced cuvées of remarkable purity.

Louis Roederer Cristal 2016 stands out as one of the vintage’s great cuvées: Jancis Robinson highlights its perfect balance of ripeness and mineral tension. Dom Pérignon 2016 combines richness and elegance with the house’s customary skill. Salon Blanc de Blancs 2016 — which the house declares only in exceptional years — has incomparable mineral purity, according to the British press. Bollinger La Grande Année 2016 and Pascal Agrapart Vénus 2016 complete this line-up.

Loire and Languedoc 2016 — freshness, purity and terroir expression

In the Loire, the 2016 vintage shows superb freshness. Sancerre 2016 stands out for its precise, saline Sauvignon Blanc, while Vouvray 2016 offers finely defined acidity and notes of white fruit, and Chinon and Saumur-Champigny 2016 offer charming Cabernet Franc. In 2016, Domaine Huet produced Le Mont and Clos du Bourg Vouvrays of exemplary tension and purity, hailed by La Revue du Vin de France as among the Loire’s finest cuvées. Clos Rougeard Les Poyeux 2016 remains the benchmark for Saumur-Champigny. In Languedoc, Domaine de la Grange des Pères 2016, Peyre Rose 2016 and Clos des Fées 2016 illustrate the strength of character and authenticity of southern terroirs in this balanced vintage.

A 2016 wine makes an excellent gift

A 2016 wine is the perfect gift for a 10th birthday. In 2026, it turns 10: each bottle is a rare reminder of a year that international critics have hailed as exceptional. To compare vintages and identify 2016 bottles still at their peak, consult the SoDivin Vintage Guide.

Looking for a fine 2016 wine? Would you like to give a 2016 wine as a gift, or simply enjoy one yourself? Explore our unique cellar and find your bottle. A fine vintage wine makes an original and memorable gift. A wedding anniversary, the year you met, a gift for a colleague… There are so many occasions to mark with a vintage wine.

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