Wine Advocate 95+ - best ever:
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cinq Cepages Proprietary Red Wine is deep garnet-purple in color. It rocks up with expressive notions of cassis, warm plums and black raspberries plus hints of pencil shavings, lilacs, oolong tea, unsmoked cigars and charcuterie. Full-bodied, the palate explodes with youthful black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and layered.
Also Vinous 95:
A powerful wine, the 2016 Cinq Cépages is incredibly refined in this vintage, and yet achieves that while retaining its natural depth and textural richness. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, leather and spice are some of the many notes that build in a beautifully layered Cinq Cépages that, unusually, will drink well right out of the gate. In a word: impressive.
And Suckling 95:
This is a rich red with lots of ripe fruit, chocolate and vanilla character. It’s a little obvious and old-school now, but delivers freshness and stature at the finish. The tannins and everything else needs to come together. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot. Better in 2022.
Also, the top-rated Cinq Cepages ever on CellarTracker.
Clearly the best vintage to date of a former Wine of the Year. (And almost twice!)
