Let me tell you something. 2016 is the greatest vintage… ever.

[JimHow]

No more court til the 5th, mini vacation underway, sipping tonight on a 2016 La Tour Carnet. Had another 2016 Sociando Mallet recently. Let me tell you something… This vintage never disappoints. Just perfect ripeness but nothing over the top. This Haut Medoc, which to me can be big and burly and chunky sometimes in other vintages, is drinking beautifully tonight. Excellent! Happy summer solstice season, happy holidays to BWEers one and all….

[Nicklasss]

I surely second your assessment of 2016 Jim. Quite a vintahe, excellent and great wines.

[William P]

I can't say it's the greatest ever, but it's the best of the 21st Century. 2016 is the last vintage that I'm cellaring. Anytime I see a 2016 I buy it. Today I bought Ch. La Dominique for $60.

[DavidG]

Similar thoughts here. Best this century. Hope the assessment stands the test of time. I think it will.

[ericp]

Not so fast Jim! I think we need another few years to assess. It’s certainly near the top but Ever?

What about the all the other greatest ever vintages?!?
2015
2010
2009
2005
2000
1998
1996
1995
1990
1989
1986
1982
1975
1970
1961
1959
1947
1945
1929
1928

I’m sure I missed a few

[NoahR]

I hear everyone touting 2019 as best ever. Are they wrong?

[robert goulet]

Interesting Jim...my least favorite Sociando vintage so far by a wide margin


2016

Sad, as this is one of my favorite Chateau.

[Claudius2]

Guys
Based on two recent 2019 tastings of 12 wines each and a few petits Chateaux recently, 2019 is a top vintage no doubt offering lots of everything but they are well balanced and very drinkable. I packed up my EP purchases yesterday and spent most of the day reorganising one of the storage units - and taking out numerous boxes of maturing wines. The concern I have about 2019 is alcohol and mainly in the St Emilions (14,5% mainly).

I’d best on 2016 outliving 2019 as it is more classically styled and are likely to take some time to show their best. Based on recent tastings I think 2010 and 2009 are excellent vintages yet they are not as structured as 2016.

The older vintages are impossible to rationally compare - the climate has changed as has winemaking technology and practices, and I’d argue that viticulture has probably changed even more.

I have thought that 2005 was the best vintage in my life for some years but I’d put money on 2016 being better as it is more even in quality.

Regards
Mark

[Claudius2]

Guys
Based on two recent 2019 tastings of 12 wines each and a few petits Chateaux recently, 2019 is a top vintage no doubt offering lots of everything but they are well balanced and very drinkable. I packed up my EP purchases yesterday and spent most of the day reorganising one of the storage units - and taking out numerous boxes of maturing wines. The concern I have about 2019 is alcohol and mainly in the St Emilions (14,5% mainly).

I’d bet on 2016 outliving 2019 as it is more classically styled and are likely to take some time to show their best. Based on recent tastings I think 2010 and 2009 are both excellent vintages yet they are not as structured as 2016.

The older vintages are impossible to rationally compare - the climate has changed as has winemaking technology and practices, and I’d argue that viticulture has probably changed even more.

I have thought that 2005 was the best vintage in my life for some years but I’d put money on 2016 being better as it is more even in quality.

Regards
Mark

[robert goulet]

Not so fast Jim! I think we need another few years to assess. It’s certainly near the top but Ever?

What about the all the other greatest ever vintages?!?
2015
2010
2009
2005
2000
1998
1996
1995
1990
1989
1986
1982
1975
1970
1961
1959
1947
1945
1929
1928

I’m sure I missed a few

Def. Not a fan of '15