2016 Vieux Maillet

Lots of spice, old wood, earth and forest floor emerge from the 2016 Château Vieux Maillet, which is classy, medium to full-bodied, and firm on the palate. It unquestionably needs more flesh and depth, yet it is nicely balanced, has good mid-palate depth, and a clean finish. Give it a year or two and hope it fleshes out.

The 2016 Vieux Maillet has a slightly overripe bouquet, with dates and canned prunes suffusing the glossy black fruit. The sweet, chewy palate is very polished but lacking the edginess of its peers, and rather predictable toward the finish. This is a bit disappointing given the growing season in question.

This offers a beautifully ripe, attractive and polished impression with a sense of effortless power on the palate that sets it in the top league of 2016 Pomerol wines. Try from 2022.