2016 Olivier
Estimated value
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Olivier has an attractive bouquet of blackberry, briar, sous-bois and cedar aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins and fine acidity, fresh and cohesive, leading to quite a persistent finish. This is a lovely wine – not a showstopper, but maybe beginning to improve in bottle. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Light, wet-woolly nose. Sweet start and then sweetness without much to tie them together, nor much distinction. Still quite chewy. Sebastian Payne MW made the point that there are many better-value dry white wines from Bordeaux nowadays. (JR)
The 2016 Château Olivier doesn’t match the quality of the white, but it does offer attractive herbal, earth notes, plenty of red and black fruits, and medium-bodied richness and depth. With a firm, focused style and bright acidity, drink it over the coming 10-12 years.
About the producer
Ch. Olivier is one of the few actual castles in Bordeaux – coming with a moat and drawbridge. Since Alexandre de Bethmann took over here in 2012, the château has been given a new lease of life, with quality on the rise.