2016 Girolate
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Tasting notes
The top wine of the Despagne family, the 2016 Girolate checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aged in 60% new oak, and comes from the humble Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux. Don’t let that discourage you, though. The wine is brilliant, yielding a deep purple color, fabulous notes of cassis, tobacco, graphite, and oak, medium to full body, and silky tannins. It’s the real deal and well worth seeking out. Notably, this wine is made from a selection done by consultant Claude Gros.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Girolate is plump, juicy and extroverted, with generous dark fruit, oak, chocolate, leather, spice and menthol flavors all pushed forward. I would prefer to drink this racy Bordeaux over the next few years. Floral notes add perfume to this inviting Merlot/Cabernet Franc-based blend.
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Girolate opens with fragrant notes of violets, chocolate box and licorice over a core of black cherry compote, preserved plums and fruitcake with a waft of underbush. Medium to full-bodied, rich and with a gorgeous velvety texture, it finishes very long with tons of spices coming through.
Dark crimson. Tired sample. Over the top. Second sample at Grand Cercle a little fresher on the nose. Very thick and taken to the limit but certainly impressive in terms of concentration. Very youthful indeed. (JR)