Château Castera, Médoc (Bordeaux, France) 2016 ($23)

With the newly revised 2025 Cru Bourgeois classification, the Syndicat de l’Alliance des Crus Bourgeois (the governing body) elevated Château Castera to Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, the highest tier of the classification. As the stellar 2016 shows, their talents were evident almost a decade earlier. Silky, yet structured, this slightly more muscular wine delivers layers of flavor and shows the beauty of mature Bordeaux. It’s always a good sign with the empty glass still smells great — and makes you wish it weren’t empty!
94 Michael Apstein