JAMES SUCKLING: "Intense black olives and blackberries on the nose with forest fruit and black truffles. Full-bodied, yet tight and focused with ultra-fine tannins and a savory, salty and juicy finish. Needs four to five years to open. Try after 2024."

ROBERT PARKER - THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2016 Péby Faugères (100% Merlot aged for 18 months in 65% new French oak barriques) has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. Wow - it slides sensuously out of the glass with scents of candied violets, Chinese five spice and chocolate box over a core of baked plums, black cherry compote and warm black raspberries plus wafts of new leather and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is decadently spicy, with bags of black fruit preserves framed by plush tannins, finishing with a refreshing lift. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown"

WINE SPECTATOR: "There's fruit for days here, with a beautiful display of cassis, raspberry and blackberry puree flavors seamlessly entwined, while light anise and violet notes fill in the background. Polished and long, with a subtle graphite hint holding the finish. Gorgeous. Drink now through 2035. 917 cases made. - James Molesworth"