Château Les Grands Chênes 2016

Tasting characteristics and advice for Château Les Grands Chênes 2016

Tasting

Color

The wine shows an intense, deep garnet-red color, reflecting excellent concentration.

Nose

The nose reveals a generous bouquet of ripe dark fruits, notably blackcurrant and blackberry, alongside elegant oaky notes and spicy touches. Hints of licorice and tobacco add complexity to the aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, this wine is structured and generous, with a velvety texture. Silky tannins coat the palate as dark-fruit aromas linger, supported by oaky and spicy notes. The finish is long and fresh, with lovely aromatic persistence.

Food and wine pairings

Château Les Grands Chênes 2016 pairs perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, herb-crusted lamb, duck confit, or dishes in sauce. It also matches very well with aged cheeses and mushroom-based preparations.

Serving and cellaring

Château Les Grands Chênes 2016 benefits from being decanted one to two hours before serving. Ideally serve between 16 and 18°C (61–64°F) to fully appreciate its aromas. This wine can be enjoyed through around 2040.

A generous, structured Médoc wine

The estate

Located in Saint-Christoly-du-Médoc in the Bordeaux region, Château Les Grands Chênes spans 38 hectares of Garonne gravel and clay-limestone soils. Acquired in 1998 by Bernard Magrez, the estate benefits from the guidance of oenologist Michel Rolland. The property favors meticulous viticulture, with hand harvesting, rigorous sorting, and parcel-by-parcel vinification, followed by barrel aging for 15 to 18 months.

The vineyard

The vineyard of Château Les Grands Chênes thrives in the northern Médoc, on a prized terroir of Garonne gravel that promotes excellent drainage. These soils, complemented by clay-limestone components, provide ideal conditions for growing vines. The estate’s plantings favor Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and a small proportion of Cabernet Franc, enabling the production of balanced, expressive wines.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage in Bordeaux proved exceptional despite a challenging start to the year. After a cool, wet spring, the hot, dry summer allowed for optimal ripening of the grapes. Harvest took place in excellent sanitary conditions between early and mid-October, with Merlot picked from October 5 to 18 and Cabernet Sauvignon from October 18 to 20. This year produced powerful, concentrated, perfectly balanced wines.

Vinification and aging

Château Les Grands Chênes 2016 is vinified using traditional methods combining rigor with respect for the fruit. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled wooden and stainless-steel vats, allowing for controlled extraction. Malolactic fermentation occurs in large wooden vats. Aging then continues for 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new oak, giving the wine structure and aromatic complexity while preserving the expression of the fruit.

Grape varieties

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon