2016 Chateau Grand Village

Given they are under the same ownership of the Guinaudau family, Chateau Grand Village is often referred to as Chateau Lafleur’s second vineyard. The estate has been owned by the Guinaudau’s relatives for hundreds of years, however it was not until the year 2000 that they began to produce wine themselves from the property. Situated on the edge of the Fronsac region and classified as Bordeaux Superieur, the vineyard is planted to 79% Merlot and 21% Bouchets (Cabernet Franc). The terroir is similar to Saint Emilion with its mix of calcisol going down a foot or so to a bedrock mostly made up of asteria limestone. At Grand Village, they practice many of the same techniques employed at Lafleur, including pruning and de-budding adapted to each vine plant, crop thinning in summer and de-leafing. The grapes are picked by hand, followed by very careful sorting and selection. Grand Village also produces a white wine from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (85%) and Semillon (15%), from a 5 acre plot.

Other Reviews....
Very classic, the 2016 Grand Village offers up a fruity, fresh bouquet with elegant aromas of dark berries, spices, plums and flowers, all framed by menthol hints. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and juicy, suave and sappy with structuring tannins and bright acids that bring an ethereal finish. Drink 2023-2030.
93 points
Yohan Castaing - Wine Advocate (Dec 01, 2023)

The 2016 Grand Village is a big wine. The natural richness of the year is evident in the wine's exuberant fruit and plush, dense feel. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, sweet spice and lavender all race out of the glass. Today, the ripeness of the vintage is quite evident in the wine's intense profile and overall feel. The 2016 spent 14-15 months in oak, 30% new. Drink 2020-2031.
91 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

here’s purity of fruit here with dark-berry and chocolate character. Full-bodied, layered and chewy. Very polished tannins. Extremely long, tight and focused.
92 points
James Suckling

The red 2016 Château Grand Village is also brilliant. Mostly Merlot, it offers a structured, powerful, almost backward vibe as well as terrific black cherry and blackberry fruits. Showing more earth, herbal notes, hints of graphite, and spice with time in the glass, it’s a serious Merlot that deserves 2-3 years of bottle age and will keep for 15+ years. Drink 2021 - 2036.
93+ points
Jeb Dunnuck

The Guinaudeau family is renowned for Château Lafleur in Pomerol, yet the family home is Grand Village, located in Fronsac. On 18ha of prime clay and chalk soil, Baptiste and Julie Guinaudeau craft this excellent-value, high-class Bordeaux blend. Merlot-dominant with leafy Cabernet Franc, fermented in concrete and aged in wood for 15 months, this shows the potential for the limestone soils of Fronsac. Drink 2021 - 2029.
93 points
Andy Howard MW - Decanter