Antonio Galloni
AG
92
"Bright ruby-red. Blackberry, cassis and bitter chocolate on the nose; displaying more oak today than the Ciel du Cheval. Densely packed and still rather tight, showing a higher pitch than the Ciel du Cheval blend, with less early pliancy and sweetness but more penetration to its flavors of dark berries and black cherry accented by licorice and bitter chocolate. A bit more powerful on the firm, long, resounding finish but less nuanced today than the Ciel. This may need more time for its firm dusty tannins to soften. Like the Ciel, this is a Merlot-heavy wine with real shape and structure." -Vinous
Robert Parker
RP
94
"A blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Champoux Vineyard opens with a rich and ripe expression of dark, dusty fruit interlaced with supporting oak tones on the nose. Medium to full-bodied in the mouth, dark cherry, black plum and cassis flood the palate with a structured focus and mineral tension. The fruit structure becomes a touch grippy across the mid-palate, showing firm tannins and representing a style that plays the middle ground between the Ciel du Cheval and Two Blondes bottlings in the same range. The wine ends with a long, complex finish—worth your time and money. With only 498 cases made, you can bet safely on this to last in your cellar." -Robert Parker
