The November 2026 Auction: Part 2
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1 / 2Lot 90
Estimate: $95
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Reviews
98JS
"Stunning concentration of perfectly ripe blackcurrants here with a delicate whiff of vanilla oak and extremely fine tannins that are almost perfectly integrated on the seductive and delicate palate, right through the almost literally breathtaking, super-long and very polished finish."
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Red
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Score
"Stunning concentration of perfectly ripe blackcurrants here with a delicate whiff of vanilla oak and extremely fine tannins that are almost perfectly integrated on the seductive and delicate palate, right through the almost literally breathtaking, super-long and very polished finish."
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The world's most influential fine-wine producer and the benchmark for Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhone. Its appellation (AOC) system codifies geography, grape and method, and its wines set the global standard for age-worthiness and terroir expression.
The world's largest fine-wine region, built around blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Divided by the Gironde estuary into the structured Left Bank and the plush, Merlot-led Right Bank, it is the historic benchmark for age-worthy claret and sweet Sauternes.
In the Graves, the only Bordeaux appellation renowned for both reds and dry whites. Gravelly soils yield smoky, mineral reds and age-worthy Sauvignon-Semillon blends.
2016 in Bordeaux is a benchmark vintage: a wet spring gave way to a dry, sunny summer, producing fresh, deeply aromatic wines with ripe tannins, remarkable balance and excellent long-term aging potential.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape known for deep color, firm tannins and a clearly defined structure. Blackcurrant, often described as cassis, is a signature flavor, accompanied by blackberry and, depending on the wine, cedar, graphite, mint or herbal notes. Oak aging can add spice and toast, while bottle age may bring tobacco, leather and other savory layers. The grape is a cornerstone of Bordeaux's Left Bank, especially the Médoc and Graves, where it is commonly blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and smaller amounts of other varieties. Beyond Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon has established distinctive regional identities, including Australia's Coonawarra and Margaret River. Vineyard climate and ripeness influence whether the emphasis falls on fresh fruit and herbs or richer, fuller expressions. Its tannins, acidity and concentration can support long development in well-balanced examples. Many accessible styles are made for earlier enjoyment, while more structured wines reward time as their tannins soften and their aromas evolve. Cabernet Sauvignon brings depth and backbone to blends and can also express a vineyard's character as a varietal wine.
Merlot is a red grape valued for generous fruit, a rounded palate and a supple, often velvety texture. Plum and cherry are characteristic flavors, sometimes accompanied by violet or fig, with chocolate, coffee and savory notes developing in some wines as they mature. Its styles range from bright, approachable reds to deeply concentrated wines with substantial structure. Bordeaux is Merlot's historic home, and the grape is particularly important on the Right Bank in Saint-Ămilion, Pomerol and Fronsac. There it can lead a blend, frequently partnered with Cabernet Franc. Across Bordeaux, Merlot also complements Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing fruit and roundness alongside the latter's firmer tannic framework. Merlot generally ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, helping growers achieve ripe fruit in a range of conditions. Vineyard site, harvest timing and cellar choices determine the final balance of richness, freshness and tannin. Many bottlings offer pleasure in their youth, while fine, well-balanced examples can develop layered aromas and greater complexity through extended aging.