The 2016 Elite 6 brings together six of the vintage's most important wines from across Bordeaux. La Mission Haut-Brion, Pichon Comtesse, Pontet-Canet, Carruades de Lafite, L'Évangile, and Troplong Mondot span both banks and some of the region's most celebrated terroirs, from Pauillac and Pessac-Léognan to Pomerol and Saint-Émilion.
What connects them is 2016. After an unusually wet start to the growing season, Bordeaux experienced a long, dry summer followed by perfectly timed September rain and an extended harvest. The result was a rare combination of concentration and freshness, producing wines with ripe fruit and serious structure without sacrificing the balance and precision required for long-term aging.
Nearly a decade later, these wines are beginning to reveal what made 2016 so exceptional. The fruit remains vibrant, the tannins are beginning to integrate, and the best wines still have decades ahead of them. Together, these six bottles offer a horizontal look at how one extraordinary vintage expressed itself across six very different corners of Bordeaux.
2016 Bordeaux: A Vintage for the Ages
The 2016 Bordeaux vintage is widely regarded as one of the finest in recent history, surpassing even the legendary 1982 and 1990 vintage. Critics agree that the 2016 Bordeaux vintage strikes an exceptional balance between power and elegance: abundant spring moisture followed by a hot, dry summer concentrated the fruit and built firm, structured tannins. These wines are made to age gracefully for decades, yet many are surprisingly approachable in their youth with proper decanting, offering both immediate pleasure and long-term cellar potential.
The Collection: 6 Elite Bordeaux Wines
This carefully curated case features 6 outstanding wines from across Bordeaux's prestigious appellations:
The Wines
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac (100 pts)
Few estates make the argument against Bordeaux’s old classification hierarchy more convincingly than Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. Officially a Deuxième Cru Classé, Pichon Comtesse has spent generations producing wines that belong in the conversation with Pauillac’s First Growths. The 2016 is one of the clearest examples yet. Now carrying four separate 100-point scores, it has emerged as one of the defining wines of an extraordinary Bordeaux vintage and one of the great modern releases from this historic estate.
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (100 pts)
Top-tier, biodynamically farmed Pauillac with Cabernet-led power but precision. The 2016 is widely described as vivid, mineral and wonderfully balanced — black-currant and cassis, violet florals, graphite/mineral lift and very fine-grained tannins; plenty of energy under the ripeness. It’s built for long ageing but is approachable after a long decant once it’s opened — drinking window commonly given from the mid-2020s into 2040+. Serve with roasted beef or lamb.
Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Pessac-Léognan (99 pts)
Located directly across the road from First Growth Château Haut-Brion, La Mission was excluded from the famous ranking simply because the classification largely stopped at the borders of the Médoc. Collectors have spent the generations since correcting that omission. La Mission is routinely regarded as Bordeaux's unofficial "sixth First Growth," with a track record that can rival the five estates officially holding the title. The relationship with Haut-Brion goes well beyond geography. Since 1983, both estates have belonged to the Dillon family, yet La Mission remains unmistakably its own wine.
Château L'Evangile, Pomerol (99 pts)
Right-bank Merlot dominance: plush, sensual Pomerol with dark plum, truffle and spice. 2016 L’Evangile is concentrated but finely textured — velvet tannins and saline minerality that give freshness to the ripe fruit. A wine that rewards patience (peak often 2028–2045+)
Château Troplong Mondot, Saint-Emilion (97 pts)
Powerful, opulent Saint-Émilion with dominant Merlot richness in 2016: black forest cake, espresso/graphite, violets and very plush texture. Tannins are big but polished; many tasters call this a “monster” with long ageing potential (drinking windows often from late 2020s into mid-21st century). Needs decanting if opened early; pairs beautifully with braised short ribs or game.
Carruades de Lafite (2nd Wine of Lafite Rothschild)
the celebrated second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild, one of Bordeaux’s five legendary First Growths. Named for the Carruades plateau adjoining Lafite’s historic vineyards in Pauillac, it offers a distinct expression of the same extraordinary estate, shaped by its own parcel selection and a significantly higher proportion of Merlot than the Grand Vin.
AOCs represented
Left Bank: Pauillac, Pessac-Léognan
Right Bank: Saint-Émilion, Pomerol
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Pauillac – 3 wines (Pontet-Canet, Lafite, Pichon)
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Pessac-Léognan – 1 wines (La Mission Haut-Brion)
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Saint-Émilion – 1 wine (Troplong Mondot)
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Pomerol – 1 wine (L’Evangile)
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Provenance Guarantee
This wine comes with an unimpeachable provenance:
- Purchased Ex Chateau En Primeur in 2017
- Released between June 2018 and March 2019
- Stored at Dartess in Bordeaux
- Transferred to London City Bond in February 2020
- Kept in original packaging, undisturbed case
Impeccable Provenance
These wines were acquired through an approved Bordeaux négociant as futures in 2017. Upon release from the châteaux between June 2018 and March 2019, they were stored at Dartess in Bordeaux before being transferred to London City Bond in February 2020. Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of Bordeaux history. With limited quantities available, these wines represent the perfect gift for the discerning oenophile or a treasured addition to any cellar.
Authenticity Assured
Every bottle is delivered with a SommSelect Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring the wine's traceability and optimal storage conditions throughout its journey. This offering represents a true collector's dream - a chance to own a piece of Bordeaux history that promises to be both an exceptional investment and a testament to the pinnacle of winemaking craft.