Skip to main content

2016 Château Le Crock: "A wine you would be thrilled to own" (94 pts) - Jane Anson

Château Le Crock is probably familiar to you, with its label liveried in the same colours as sister-estates Léoville-Poyferré and Moulin Riche.  Recently elevated in the latest classification, Le Crock is now a 'Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel'.  Léoville-Poyferré was one of the hottest wines of the 2019 en primeur campaign and it seems that Le Crockopposite Cos d'Estournel, is also flying high at the moment, with a superb 94 point score for the 2016 from Jane Anson in this month's Decanter. She describes it as "a wine you would be thrilled to own".  We have secured a parcel of the 2016 in Bordeaux, which we now offer at £265 in bond, landing in the UK in Spring 2021.

 

Le Crock map

Opposite Cos d'Estournel and near to Montrose, Le Crock is in a prime location in Saint-Estèphe

The reputation of the 2016s in general are increasing by the day, as more critics re-taste them in bottle.  Anson finds cassis, bilberry and black chocolate notes with slate (that balancing minerality which we mentioned).  At the equivalent of under £30 per bottle inclusive of VAT and drinking from as early as 2021, we think this is unbeatable value for a fine wine.  Please let us know if you would like to place an order. 

Le Crock Winemaker

Le Crock's winemaker, Isabel Darvin

See older vintages of Le Crock available here. 

 

We also have VERY limited availability of 2019 Léoville-Poyferré en primeur, here.

 

Chateau Le Crock red wine

 

2016 Château Le Crock, Saint-Estèphe, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel £265 IB per dozen, offered EX-CELLAR

Brilliant density on the palate, mineral and with very fine tannins, the acidity balances the plushness of the fruit beautifully, with hedgerow fruits and cassis flavours.  Very fine and stands out from the other Cru Bourgeois in this tasting. RKL Sep 2018

"The purity of the cabernet sauvignon is very evident here with currant and floral character. Full-bodied, firm and very polished with lovely, strong tannins. Muscular and polished...93 points." James Suckling

"A brilliant estate, well worth knowing about, owned by the Cuvelier family of Château Léoville Poyferré...Clearly standing out in this line-up, an impressive, well-crafted wine with great tannic hold; a wine you would be thrilled to own.  94 points."  Jane Anson, Decanter, Aug 2020 (Tasted Jul 2020)

£265 in bond per dozen bottles offered EX-CELLARS

Offered ex-chateau, due to land in the UK in Spring 2021.  Priced in bond, excluding UK duty, VAT and onward delivery, payable at the prevailing rate on release from bond.  Stock subject to availability, E&OE.

Château Le Crock

Producer Profile

Château Le Crock

Château Le Crock has 32 hectares of vineyards on gravel, sand and clay terroir which retain heat and drain freely, maintaining groundwater reserves in dry years, with the closeness of the Gironde preventing temperatures from rising too high in the summer. The vineyard is spread over three distinct areas, planted to cabernet sauvignon (53%), merlot (33%), cabernet franc (9%) and petit verdot (5%).

Oenologist Isabel Davin has been in charge since 2000, with Michel Rolland consulting.  It might be an over-simplification to say this, but in each year we find a dark, seductive cassis and plum-fruit richness at Le Crock and its sister-estates, which may be Rolland's influence, but with increasing minerality, freshness and a focus on aroma, especially since Sara  Lecomte-Cuvelier has taken the reins.  

 

RED 2016 15 cases Château Le Crock 75cl £280 per case of 12 Château Le Crock
2016 / 15 cases / 75cl
£280 per case of 12
IB
Tasting NotesBrilliant density on the palate, mineral and with very fine tannins, the acidity balances the plushness of the fruit beautifully, with hedgerow fruits and cassis flavours. Very fine and stands out from the other Cru Bourgeois in this tasting. RKL Sep 2018 "The purity of the cabernet sauvignon is very evident here with currant and floral character. Full-bodied, firm and very polished with lovely, strong tannins. Muscular and polished. Give it three or four years to come together. Try after 2023. 93 points." James Suckling "A brilliant estate, well worth knowing about, owned by the Cuvelier family of Château Léoville Poyferré in St-Julien, and another that I would unhesitatingly say deserves its title of cru bourgeois exceptionnel. The managing director is Sara Lecompte-Cuvelier, with Isabelle Davin oenologist and winemaker, and Michel Rolland consultant. A cru bourgeois supérieur in the first 1932 ranking, located in the Marbuzet sector of St-Estèphe, with 32ha on gravel and clay. There’s always a good kick of black spice from Petit Verdot in the wine, from plantings of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Vinification is in cement and stainless steel tanks, and as with Poyferré the blend takes place in the middle rather than at the beginning of ageing, usually after about six months in barrel. Clearly standing out in this line-up, an impressive, well-crafted wine with great tannic hold; a wine you would be thrilled to own. Cassis, bilberry, blackberry, hawthorn, black chocolate, slate. Great texture and balance, and full of St-Estèphe signature. Great stuff. Drinking Window 2021 - 2038. 94 points." Jane Anson, Decanter, Aug 2020 (Tasted Jul 2020)
RED 2016 1 case Château Le Crock Magnum £300 per case of 6 Château Le Crock
2016 / 1 case / Magnum
£300 per case of 6
IB

Cookie Notice

COOKIE NOTICE

Find out more about how this website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience.

Back to top