The 2016 Chauvin, owned by Sylvie Cazes, has a nicely detailed bouquet with blackberry, iris and bay leaf aromas, more understated than the 2015 Chauvin and perhaps more detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannin, plenty of slightly tarry black fruit but with great structure and focus on the lightly spiced finish. This may be the best vintage that I have tasted in recent vintages, and it should age with style.

The medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Chauvin has quite a meaty/savory nose of chargrill, black olives, sautéed herbs and truffles with a core of baked plums and lifted black cherry compote. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid frame of rounded tannins and just enough freshness to offer a seamless boost to the long earthy finish.

Blackberry, blueberry and floral aromas follow through to a full body, tight and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink in 2023. A chateau to watch in the future.

This is really solid and concentrated with tight-grained tannins and an impressive density of ripe and cool fruit. Muscular. Could rival the wonderful 2015.

This has a solid core of steeped plum and blackberry fruit, though it gives way to a slightly impinged feel as the charcoal-edged toast takes over on the finish. Fresh echo through the finish, so this may push through its oak after the élevage is done.

Toasty and direct, with dark plum and blackberry compote flavors, cloaked in warm ganache and roasted vanilla accents. Broad in feel, weighed down a touch by the toasty notes on the finish. Drink now through 2022. — JM

Sylvie Cazes' estate, where the harvest in 2016 was the latest on record, and went right through to 20 October, when the nights were extremely fresh. Earthy notes on the nose lead to a well knitted down palate with firm and textured tannins and dark, rich fruit. It's a touch masked right now by high levels of acidity. 60% new oak.

The 2016 Chauvin is a powerful, tannic wine that needs time to soften. This is an especially rich, extracted style, and yet everything comes together beautifully in the glass. Dark red cherry, plum, espresso, licorice, grilled herbs and menthol gain volume and richness as the wine opens up. Today the tannins and new oak are a bit much, but time in bottle should help the wine find a bit more harmony. All of the ingredients are present to allow that to happen. This is a terrific showing. Tasted two times.

The 2016 Chateau Chauvin checks in as a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. This deeply colored effort offers a serious bouquet of blackberries and black cherries, scorched earth, graphite, and camphor. It's rich, powerful, and concentrated, with ripe tannins that kick in on the finish. My instincts say this will shut down, so either try a bottle over the next year or two or hold off for a good 7-8 years. Tasted twice.