Decanter Top Wines of 2016

95 points

A firm, intriguing nose which translates to a flavourful attack in the mouth. This finishes with great energy, and will certainly still pack a punch in years to come. What a beautifully perfumed nose! There are pure raspberry notes and generous swelling fruit across the palate. The oak is well integrated and the fruit returns again at the back. Very classy. A more evolved bouquet featuring fresh raspberry and orange rind; this is the prelude to quite a savoury wine, an interesting attractive quality that makes for a divine mouthful.

March, 2017

Stephen Tanzer

Vinous Media

92 points

Healthy bright red. Deep, spicy, mineral-driven nose began quite subdued but notes of pungent red fruits, licorice and violet emerged with air. Very rich, saline wine with lovely penetration and depth to its densely packed, saline flavors. This vin de terroir was initially dominated by strong soil character but lively black fruit flavors emerged as the wine opened in the glass. Still, this potentially outstanding wine is a bit youthfully strict in the early going and will require patience.

January, 2016

Stephen Tanzer

Vinous Media

90-92 points

(these 67-year-old vines, planted by Taupenot's mother's grandfather, share the same plant material as Christophe Perrot-Minot's parcel of Combe d'Orveau): Healthy dark red. Pungent, ripe scents of cherry, raspberry, mocha, cinnamon and stone. Lovely silky, sappy wine with excellent juicy lift to its flavours of red berries, spices and flowers. A step up in precision, energy and length from the village wines here, finishing with silky tannins and lingering perfume.

November, 2015

Jancis Robinson

Jancisrobinson.com

17.5/20 points

Taupenot’s oldest vineyard with 65-year-old vines. Heady nose. Rich and yet nervy.