Gazin 2016

The 2016 Gazin has a pure bouquet of luscious blackberry, black truffle and light smoky aromas that gain vigor with aeration. There is an unerring sense of control here, as if keeping something back for later. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, a silky-smooth texture and beguiling, graphite-tinged black fruit toward the refined, persistent finish. Flecks of clove linger on the finish. Classic Gazin. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

The 2016 Gazin is a blend of 87% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc this year, picked from 22 September with respect to the Merlot and from around 7 or 8 October for the Cabernet Franc. Now this has quite a powerful bouquet for Gazin, more heightened fruit compared to recent vintages with blackberry, briary and pressed flower aromas that are well defined (although my sample demanded two or three minutes to really find its voice). The palate is medium-bodied with a gently grip on the entry. I adore the tannic structure to this Gazin, equidistant between masculine and feminine, a backbone that will ensure this will age over many years. There is abundant, lightly spiced black fruit with a touch of cracked black pepper and clove towards the finish. The 50% new oak will add a little muscle onto the finish, thereupon you will have a really marvelous Gazin that will give three years of drinking pleasure, possibly more.
Drink Date 2023 - 2055

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Gazin features a beautifully perfumed nose of violets, Ceylon tea, cigar box, sandalwood and fallen leaves over a core of plum preserves, kirsch and blackberry preserves plus a waft of aniseed. Medium-bodied and elegant, with compelling restraint, it has a seductively plush texture, finishing with bags of poise, perfume and persistence.

Drink Date: 2022 - 2045

Tight and silky with plum, blackberry and blueberry character. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and silky. Very linear and bright. A pretty follow-up to the stupendous 2015.

The 2016 Gazin has developed into a super-refined wine. Silky tannins and floral aromatics add to an impression of total finesse. Blood orange, sweet red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal and mint are all finely knit in this gracious, subtle Pomerol. More importantly, the 2016 has grown into an absolutely striking wine that is even more expressive and complete than it was from barrel. Drink 2021-2036.

The 2016 Gazin is bold and powerful, yet also retains striking freshness and energy throughout. Sweet red plum, blood orange, wildflowers and mint are some of the many notes that are delineated in this super-classy, refined Pomerol. All the elements come together effortlessly in the glass. The 2016 is not a big Pomerol; rather, it is a wine that impresses with its nuanced expression of the vintage. Hints of smoke, tobacco and grilled herbs add closing shades of complexity. Tasted two times.

Very deep crimson. Sappy, energetic nose. Very smooth tannins and a distinctly dry tea-leaf finish. Not in the fleshy spectrum of Pomerol. Quite astringent at this stage, but with good length.
Drink 2026-2040

Dark crimson. Rich, shiny, blackberry aromas. Sinew and a dry but not drying finish. A little austere and lacking juice but creditable. Correct.
Drink 2024-2037

This property is wonderfully situated, right next door to Petrus on the Pomerol plateau. The vineyard is planted with 92% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. Classic traditional Pomerols are produced here. 87% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon in 2016, this is suprisingly deep in colour, with dark chocolate, damson and blackcurrant on the nose. The palate is intense with cassis and velveteen tannins providing supple structure to the fruit. With lifting crisp acidity the finish has a floral edge that brings harmony to this powerful, ageworthy wine.

Sweet ripe fruit the nose has depth the palate rich fruit sweet generous and supple. Ripe black plum in the middle supported by fine tannins yet there is underlying freshness firm at the back the finish is fragrant but slightly austere. 2025-37

This doesn’t quite hit the same heights as the 2015, but it’s still a very stylish Pomerol, with plenty of zip, perfume and backbone from the Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. The tannins are a little firm, but should soften in bottle. 2024-34

Classic, almost savoury fruits here, among the most left bank in style of all the Pomerols with cassis and black pepper spice. It's a wine that steals up on you - I tasted it several times and became increasingly impressed by the construction and the measured delivery of excellence. A full 13% of Cabernets here, split between 5% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, the highest proportion of the latter for many years.

Drinking Window 2027 - 2045