This is a dense, smoky wine with powerful tannins. It follows the line of richness set since the 2014 vintage and balances rich black fruits and concentrated tannins cut with final acidity. Drink from 2025.

Juicy and energetic, with cassis and dark plum fruit flavors laced with sweet tobacco and violet notes. Nice applewood note frames the racy finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2028. 19,276 cases made. — JM

The 2016 Sarget de Gruaud Larose is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Merlot with smaller parts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, bottled in May 2018. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it offers up expressive redcurrants and blackberry compote notes with hints of cassis, unsmoked cigars, dried herbs and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, soft, very fresh and with exhilarating vibrancy, it has loads of mineral sparks on the finish.