France

JS 95 jamessuckling.com, January 2023 Aromas of crushed blackcurrants and cherries with dried Provence herbs, lavender, raw walnuts and spiced cedar. Graphite, too. Full and muscular with a broad-shouldered, velvety tannin structure that goes on for minutes. Textured and chalky with a lingering finish. Very polished. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Try after 2027.  JD 95 jebdunnuck.com, March 2023 Tasted on multiple occasions, the 2020 Château Lascombes is clearly another brilliant wine from this château that readers will love. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a classic bouquet of cassis, dried...

Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Lassegue needs a little swirling to begin, to unlock bright, cheery scents of fresh blackberries, black raspberries and redcurrants, plus hints of black cherry preserves, charcoal, woodsmoke and underbrush with a waft of tapenade. The medium to full-bodied palate has a firm structure of ripe, rounded tannins and just enough freshness to support the generous black fruits, finishing long and earthy. 92-94 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2021) The energy and focus of this wine is excellent with blackberry, salt, chalk and stone aromas and flavors. Some tar, too. It’s medium-to...

Wine Enthusiast 94 points.   "This estate, on the edge of the village of Martillac, has produced a fine, structured wine. The wood aging has lent its polish, giving the wine richness alongside the acidity as well as good potential. Drink from 2027. "   91-93 points Vinous  The 2021 Latour-Martillac has an attractive nose: brambly red fruit, loam and light cedar scents. Maybe conservative in style, yet it conveys purity and terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and fine acidity. A slightly more sinewy Pessac-Léognan, yet it coheres in the glass. Its substance suggests that it will repay...

Its Origins Chateau Latour Martillac is one of the most recognizable chateaux in Pessac Leognan. This is because of the famous tower that rests in front of the chateau. In fact, the tower is where the property found the first part of its name. While the property was first developed in the 12th century, the tower is the only section from the original, small, fortified castle. The modern era here begins in the early 1940s. At that point in time, the vineyards were increased in size. Much of the new land was devoted to red wine grapes. In 1955 Jean Kressman became the owner of LaTour Martillac. He managed it for his father starting in 1940....

Pomerol Vinous | Rating: 96 The 2019 Le Bon Pasteur is different in style to previous vintages, and I mean that in a positive sense. This is very elegant and classic in style, pure dark cherry and blueberry fruit entwined with a touch of truffle. The palate is well balanced with gentle grip, slightly chalky in texture with well judged acidity, harmonious with a creamier finish, a hint of salted liquorice lingering on the aftertaste. Excellent. Tasted three times with consistent notes. Drink Dates: 2024-2045 Author: Neal Martin James Suckling | Rating: 96 A tight, focused red with blackberry and dark-chocolate character. It’s...

  94-95 points James Suckling  This is a very balanced and pretty wine with ultra-fine tannins that are integrated and persist through the wine. It’s medium-bodied with lovely length and depth. A focused and thought-provoking wine for the vintage.   (5/2022)  93-95 points Vinous  The 2021 Le Bon Pasteur was impressive both times I tasted it. Vibrant and deep, the 2021 offers up generous red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, spice, mint and licorice, all with a sense of exoticism that is hard to miss. There's a feeling of real energy and vibrancy I don't recall seeing here previously. The...

96 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: “Aromas of dark berries, ash, tar, blackcurrants and lead pencil, following through to a medium to full body, with firm and integrated tannins and a medium, chewy finish. Needs four to six years to soften and come together. Very tight and nicely structured. Try in 2027 and onwards.” 01/23. Wine Spectator 96 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "A bold, strapping young wine, with vivid plum, cassis, kirsch and black licorice notes that meld steadily as they cruise through, carried by a bolt of graphite and finishing with a flourish of violet, anise and apple wood....

Decanter: 94 points “Heady on the nose, perfumed and scented. The palate is alive and playful, delivering high acidity but also focused fruit so it's both lightly framed and fun, but also savoury and serious. Smooth and silky tannins give the gentle frame, letting the strawberry, creamy raspberry and red cherry fruit do the talking. It's unfussy, all the elements to the fore but all well balanced with a charming texture overall and persistence of high-toned red berry fruits with saline sides. Hints of green pepper, black pepper, slate and pencil lead on the finish. I like this a lot! Drinking Window 2026 – 2048.”...

95-96 points James Suckling  This is very typical for St.-Julien with violets, berries, blackcurrants and crushed stone. Medium to full body with very fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Powdery tannins and a rich finish. Velvety texture.  (5/2022)  95 points Decanter  Beautifully fragranced on the nose - floral-edged ripe bramble fruits. Nicely detailed and presents, despite a clear youthful tannic structure this has layers of flavour with ripe and sweet fruit nuances balanced by a mineral grip, salty touches and cool fresh mint leaf notes. It's more of a contemplative wine, needing a few minutes...

DC 100 Decanter, January 2023 The best 2020s seem to be confident without showing off or shouting too loudly and this Carmes does just that. Focused and precise, this is complex and characterful, rich yet vibrant with a texture and taste that makes an impact straight away. Fresh black fruits, floral notes and sensational minerality do the talking - it has weight, density and structure - broad and bold yet svelte, it has direction and persistence, building quickly then settling and elongating with such clarity and purity. This is a wine you want to drink. Cool, classic, sharp and decisive with a flawless texture. Whereas 2019 was more...

Wine Advocate 95 points. The 2021 Les Carmes Haut-Brion has turned out beautifully in bottle, though it is more introverted and brooding than it appeared during en primeur tastings, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries mingled with spices, loamy soil, licorice, rose petals, gentian and black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, with a concentrated core of fruit framed by ripe but abundant structuring tannins and bright acids, it concludes with a long, palate-staining finish. As readers may remember, it's a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. Published:  Feb 09, 2024.  ...

James Suckling 92-93. "Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, faint brightening on rim. Black wild berry fruit underlaid with fine fine wood savouriness, floral nuances, a hint of liquorice and cassis. Juicy, ripe sweet cherry, freshly structured, ripe tannins, lemony-mineral on the aftertaste." - 91/100, Falstaff. #BORD

This is a very structured red with lots of blackberry, currant, walnut and graphite. Full-bodied and long. Nice chewiness. 72% cabernet sauvignon, the rest merlot. Score: 94 - 95James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 23 May 2021.   #BORD

Extremely well done  with a full body and nicely integrated tannins that give this tension and power.  The structure is wonderful . Minty. Chocolate-covered coffee beans. Serious but fun. ~94-95 JS.

James Suckling: 98-99 points “Blackcurrants, orange peel, flowers and tar with hints of graphite. Full-bodied with a creamy texture of exquisitely polished tannins. It goes on and on. Intense flavors at the end, too, with lead pencil and lots of blackberry. Very classic and precise.” – James Suckling Review date: June 2021.   #BORD

96-97 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "This is really cool to smell, with lead pencil shavings, iron filings and oyster shells. Blackcurrants, too. Full to medium body with layers of firm tannins, but a dusty and powdery texture, too. Lovely finish. 67% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 3% cabernet franc." 05/22   #BORD

93-94 points James Suckling  A very fresh and juicy red with a medium body and supple, soft tannins. Vibrant red-berry fruit with pretty spice notes. Raspberries and licorice with some salted chocolate. 67% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 1% cabernet franc.   (5/2022)  93 points Decanter  Beautiful aromatics, richly scented with a ton of black fruits on the nose. Bright and fun, this has great fruit expression. It's edging on high toned, so you get that sharp hit of fruit rather than dense and plush but it has such clarity and precision of tannins, fine and softly gripping the mouth. Well worked and...

Rated 95 by Vinous Media The 2021 Malescot St. Exupéry is another terrific wine from a property that has been trending towards finesse. The 2021 represents another step in that direction, helped by the vintage, of course. Red cherry, iron, blood orange, spice, tobacco and cedar build as this mid-weight, savory Margaux shows off its considerable charms. Pretty floral top notes accent the finish. Tasted two times. Rated 95 by James Suckling A tight and focused young red with redcurrant and blackberry character. It’s medium-bodied with racy and fine tannins and a linear, focused finish. Lots going on, yet it’s tight and...

Wine Advocate 92 points. Bursting from the glass with notes of plus, sweet red berries and hints of licorice, the 2019 Mangot is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with beautifully powdery tannins and a succulent core of fruit. Giving, charming and lively, it has turned out very well. Traditional barriques are complemented by amphorae in the chai. Best After 2021.

The Wine Independent 94 points. "Rich, concentrated, opulent wine packed with black and dark red fruits, espresso, chocolate, licorice and smoke. The wine is full-bodied, yet not overpowering, there is a finesse to its depth of flavor and fruit-packed finish. Drink from 2025-2045." -  93/100 ,  Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider   #BORD

The 2022 Marjosse is a blend of 75% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec. Owner Pierre Lurton commented, “We have a lot of chalk and clay at Marjosse, so we never have a problem with freshness. We recently bought a small plot of Cabernet Franc, which did very well. It was a long harvest starting on 5th September and ending at the beginning of October. We had to go very light on the extraction and we couldn't use any of the press juice because it was too powerful.” The wine has a deep garnet-purple color and shoots from the glass with energetic notes of fresh, juicy blackberries, warm plums, and...

Vinous Media 93-95 points.   In the Modern Age, a woman’s options of what to do with her life were very limited. In reality, there were only two socially accepted options: marriage, or dedication to God. In both cases the woman, regardless of her social class, had to give a dowry. That is, a series of assets with economic value that could help with the burdens of marriage. Although these items, which could be houses, land, cash, clothing, furniture or household goods in general, were the property of the woman, they were always managed by the husband. This is how the estate belonging to the family of Mademoiselle Ledoux...

WA 97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2024 The remarkable 2021 Montrose gets my nomination for the title of "wine of the vintage" in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis and dark berries mingled with subtle hints of mint, orange, pencil shavings and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by beautifully ripe, refined tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it entirely transcends the limitations of the year. This young classic, reminiscent of the estate's 1996 but far better, is a blend of...

97-98 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "This is from only the old vines in the clay and gravel soils on the plateau. Really fantastic. It’s medium-to full-bodied and the tannins just roll off the palate at the end. Dark fruit and spices. So long. One of the best modern wines from here? 68% merlot and 32% cabernet franc." 05/21 94-96+ Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A blend of 68% Merlot (harvested 8th to 16th September) and 32% Cabernet Franc (harvested 21st to 23rd September), the 2020 Nenin is aging in French oak barriques, 40% new. It has an alcohol of 14%, a pH of 3.65 and...

Paulliac Owned by Ch Lynch-Bages. James Suckling Notes 92-93 Points, James Suckling: "Plenty of spice and plums on the nose. Full body, round tannins and flavorful finish. Raspberries and hazelnuts at the end." 6/20. Decanter Notes 92 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "Plenty of punch in this Ormes de Pez, full of rich ripe black fruits, traces of exotic spices of cinnamon and saffron from the heat of the summer, and brilliant value if looking for personality and appellation signature in St Estèphe. Blend completed with 3% Petit Verdot." 5/20    #BORD

Another brilliant Saint-Estèphe, the 2022 Château Ormes De Pez offers up lots of ripe blue and black fruits as well textbook earth, crushed stone, and graphite. Showing more nuance and floral notes with time in the glass, this medium to full-bodied effort has plenty of mid-palate depth, velvety yet building tannins, and nicely integrated background oak. This serious wine is worth seeking out. Tasted twice. - Jeb Dunnuck This is stylish in the way it captures the warm cassis and mulled plum fruit of the vintage, along with the AOC's telltale warm stone, lilac and iron accents. The long, smoldering finish pulls everything...

Pessac-Leognan WA 96-98+. Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot, the 2019 Pape Clement was harvested from the 18th of September to the 11th of October. Ninety-three percent is aging in French oak barriques, 66% new, and 7% is aging in large foudres. Deep garnet-purple in color, it hits the ground running with bold, expressive notes of warm cassis, boysenberries and black cherries with an undercurrent of clove oil, fertile loam, cedar chest and tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers a rock-solid foundation of firm, ripe grainy tannins and tons of freshness supporting the densely packed black fruit and earthy layers,...

JS 98 jamessuckling.com, January 2023 Lots of blackberry, iodine and crushed stone here. Some black pepper and graphite, too. Full body and medium, fine tannins that have a powdery texture and open in the mouth. So much going on. Iodine and iron undertones with some raw mushroom bring you back for more. Muscular. This is for the cellar. Drink after 2027.  VN 98 Vinous, February 2023 The 2020 Pape Clément is outrageously beautiful. Dark, virile and imposing, the 2020 is a rare vintage of Pape Clément that is vertical and statuesque in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves infuse the palate with...

JS 95 jamessuckling.com, December 2023 This is really polished and beautiful with very fine tannins that caress your palate. Medium body. Refined. Currant, chocolate, hazelnut and black walnut. Some mushroom. Very complex and subtle. Drinkable now but better in a couple of years.    VN 94 Vinous, February 2024 The 2021 Pape Clément is a very elegant, polished wine. Crushed flowers, red cherry fruit, blood orange, menthol and spice all grace this wonderfully layered, expressive vintage of Pape Clément. Pretty floral top notes add freshness and vivacity. The more laid-back house style these days is so appealing. --...

Falstaff 93 points. 2022 Vintage Tasted: Aug 2023 Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the. Ripe plums, dark wild berries, some cassis, black cherries in the background, some tobacco. Juicy, red cherries, medium complexity, freshly structured, mineral, already accessible, a versatile food wine.

JS 96 jamessuckling.com, January 2024 A very juicy and rounded young 2021 with berry, chocolate, cedar, balsamic, and redwood aromas and flavors. Medium to full body. Velvety tannins. Excellent finish. Extremely well done for the vintage. 79% merlot, 19% cabernet franc and 2% cabernet sauvignon. Best after 2028.    TWI 95 The Wine Independent, April 2024 The 2021 Pavie Macquin has a deep garnet-purple color. Fragrant notions of star anise, lilacs, and fertile loam give way to a core of juicy plums and mulberries, plus a touch of dried lavender. The medium-bodied palate delivers an impressive intensity of bright, pure red and black...

95-96 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "This is very chewy with dusty tannins and blackberry and blueberry character. Some chocolate, too. Full and layered. Such beautiful violet and black-cherry quality at the end with some raspberries, 56% cabernet sauvignon. 34% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. First year with organic farming. A nice step-up in quality." 05/21. #BOND

94 Points James Suckling A solid Pedesclaux for the vintage, with lots of blackcurrant and blueberry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with medium-chewy tannins and a round texture. Racy and structured. Solid. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.   The 2021 Pédesclaux presents strong Cabernet Sauvignon inflections to play off a core of dark red-fleshed fruit. Spice, menthol, tobacco and cedar follow, adding quite a bit of character to this flavorful, savory Pauillac. Antonio Galloni - Vinous Media (93).   #BORD  

  94 points Decanter  One of the absolute standouts for me this year. A dark and brooding nose with purity and concentration. The palate is finely textured with mineral-laced tannins that give grip in the mouth but letting the nuances of fruit and acidity play out in harmony. I love the intensity, it's rich but perfectly executed - elegant and finessed with balance and charm but above all a sense of energy and freshness that makes it one of the more memorable wines. Despite the challenges of the vintage, the fruit is ripe and dense and this gives no drop in the mid palate, sustaining pace and directness from start to...

"The 2021 Pichon-Baron is a dense, packed wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. There is a lot of wine here, but readers have to be patient. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, rose petal and cinnamon add layers of nuance, but more than anything else, the 2021 stands out for its persistence. 95-97" - Antonio Galloni,  Vinous Media.   "A brilliant achievement, the 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, blackcurrants, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, pencil shavings and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's concentrated and penetrating, with terrific...

JS 99 jamessuckling.com, January 2023 Fabulous aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry, crushed stone, graphite and lead pencil. Some violets and other flowers, too. Full-bodied with incredibly encompassing tannins that are like the finest velvet in texture. The structure is superb, with so much tension and focus. Seamless. This could be the new 1990 or better. Try after 2028.  DC 98 Decanter, January 2023 Gentle and delicately aromatic but rich too, full of coffee, mocha, dark chocolate, caramel and medicinal herbs - mint and aniseed with a combination of red, blue and black berry fruits. Lovely density and weight on the palate, really very...

Decanter 92 points. 92 Points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter: "A brooding nose, before chewy tannins - which are immediately noticeable - fill the mouth with ripe fruit, but they have a nice delicacy and texture, too - almost comforting and totally harmonious once the initial texture settles, leaving a density of creamy blackcurrant and sweet strawberry. Lovely cooling elements on the finish - mint and eucalyptus. This displays structure, life, tannic power, fruit density, freshness and acidity. It's on the more overt side but extremely captivating and excellent overall. Tasted twice. Michel Rolland consultancy." 03/22   #BORD

  94-95 James Suckling  "A solid Pierre with chocolate, hazelnut, berry and orange peel aromas and flavors. Full to medium body. Juicy tannins and fruity. Poised and fresh finish."  

Rated 98 by Wine Enthusiast Barrel Sample. Aromatic black currant and spice aromas give way to a wine that has richness while having impressive balance. The freshness shines with tannins that give a velvet character to the wine's texture. The fruitiness should not deceive from its longevity, so age this wine for many years. Organic and biodynamic. JS 98 Rated 98 by James Suckling This is integrated, with superb density and beauty, offering blackcurrant, mineral and some bark. Full-bodied, yet so polished and refined. Crushed stone. Lots of expression and texture to this wine. Creamy. Pure and precise. Elegant, yet layered. Slightly...

95-96 James Suckling "Plenty of blackberry and blueberry with wet earth and crushed stone. Some spice,tobacco and lead pencil, too. It’s full-bodied with layered tannins and brightness. Fine and chewy at the end.” 05/22   93-95 Antonio Galloni for Vinous "The 2021 is the most classically Pauillac Pontet-Canet I have tasted in modern times. Medium in body, with striking aromatic presence, the 2021 screams with character. Grilled herbs, incense, leather, lavender and plum open with a bit of coaxing, all framed by beams of tannin and bright, salivating acids that give the wine shape and real sense of direction....

James Suckling  - "Such beautiful tannins here that are refined and beautiful and bring you deep into the medium to full body. Currants and berries. R   Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider 2022 Vintage Tasted: May 2023 Flowers, blackberries, currants, espresso, and plums with a touch of cocoa form the nose. On the palate, the wine is loaded with lusciously-textured, ripe, polished fruits. There is a solid depth of flavor, good energy, and layers of black and red fruits on the mid-palate and in the creamy, fruit-packed finish. Drink from 2027-2055. 94-96 Pts.

96 Points, Georgina Hindle, Decanter: "A showstopper of a wine for me in 2021. Wonderful aromatic intensity on the nose filled with perfumed fruits, chocolate and wild flowers. Gorgeous clarity and precision, the tannins are fine and powdery supporting the vibrant and energetic purple and black fruit; zingy blackcurrant, strawberry, cherry and plum with an overall creamy chalky texture and grip. Elegant and glamorous - so much styling on show, it feels polished and pristine with clear markings from the terroir but no harshness or austerity just great acidity and liveliness. Such mouthwatering salivation and lift at the end making you...

93-95 points Vinous  The 2021 Sansonnet is once again a stand out. Blackberry jam, crème de cassis, chocolate, new leather, licorice and espresso give this large-scaled Saint-Émilion tons of depth. As always, Sansonnet is an extrovert, but in 2021 it benefits from a kick of acidity that balances things out nicely. It was impressive both times I tasted it. (AG)   (5/2022)  92-95 points Jeb Dunnuck  Tasted on numerous occasions, the 2021 Château Sansonnet is another beauty, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it come in close to the 2017 in terms of quality. A blend of 91% Merlot, 6%...

James Suckling 92-93 points. The estate Overlooking the Gironde estuary for almost three centuries, Château Sociando-Mallet is one of the most respected properties in Haut-Médoc. Owned by Sieur Sociando in the 17th century, the Mallet family added their name following their acquisition of the estate in the 19th century. Since 1969, the Gautreau family has endowed this iconic left-bank property with their passion and energy. The vineyard Château Sociando-Mallet is a Haut-Médoc wine that stems from a 77-hectare vineyard located at the top of the Baleyron hill, in the commune of...

"Flowers, herbs, juicy, red pit fruits and cocoa pop in the nose. Medium-bodied, fresh and fruity, with a lifted, creamy, spicy, cherry-packed, polished finish. Drink from 2023-2037." -  91/100 ,  Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider.   WA 90 Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Tour Maillet is a little oaky to begin, giving way to a core of kirsch, black raspberries and mulberries, plus touches of underbrush, Sichuan pepper and pencil shavings. The medium to full-bodied palate is also wearing its oak a little heavy, revealing a core of crunchy black and red berries with plenty of spicy sparks and a very firm, sturdy...

Rated 100 by Decanter A sensational Troplong. Vibrant and vivid, this makes you smile from the first smell: milk chocolate, floral notes of roses and lavender, wet stones, liquorice, cinnamon and ripe bramble fruits. Round and thrilling on the palate, tannins are abundant with a chalky blueberry coolness while a salty tang settles around the mouth. Lovely precision and purity of fruit; you feel the sharp definition - still linear which makes it less immediately charming than the 2019 but giving undeniable complexity. Deep but not heady, this remains pure and detailed, with a leanness from the terroir really setting this apart. After a few...

VM 96 Vinous, February 2024 The 2021 Troplong Mondot is fabulous. It offers up a rush of dark red-toned fruit, crushed rocks, leather, menthol, cedar and blood orange. As always, Troplong Mondot is marked by a strong presence of Cabernet Sauvignon that seems to add brooding intensity, muscle and power. I tasted it three times. A bottle given a brief decant of about 20 minutes showed best. The 2021 spent 13 months in oak (two months less than normal), in a mix of 60% new, 21% 20-hectoliter cask and 19% once-used. The 2021 is a Troplong Mondot of extreme purity and class. -- Antonio Galloni.   #BORD

  100 Decanter "A supremely excellent Troplong in 2022 that has the hallmarks of a concentrated vintage but delivered with ultimate poise and precision. A joy to taste and once again one of my favourites. Sharp, sleek, sour, bright and cool - I love the instant freshness and drinkability of this, tannins are fresh and detailed with both a plush and cool texture underpinned by layers of flavour with depth and concentration. Clearly muscular but pixelated - it’s not tense, lean or austere but generous, charming and playful. Supple and succulent, still with ripe strawberry, cherry and raspberry fruit, a mix of bright red and...

  98-99 points James Suckling "The most structured and impressive Trottevieille I have ever tasted. It is full-bodied yet compacted with a fine velvet texture. Intense finish with super tension and focus. Could move up a notch." (4/2022) 95-97 points Jeb Dunnuck "My rough note on the 2022 Château Trotte Vieille included more than one expletive, and this beauty is straight-up gorgeous. Vivid blue fruits, violets, flowers, and chocolate all make an appearance on the nose, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless, layered texture, perfect tannins, and nicely integrated oak. Based on 50%...

99James Suckling Fantastic texture and structure to this wine with firm, silky tannins that go on and on. Love the crushed blackberries, blueberries and salt. Floral and mineral character, too. Full and tight with great length. Chewy at the very end, indicating real structure. All about structure and length. 50% cabernet franc, 49% merlot, and 1% cabernet sauvignon.Barrel Sample: 98-99 D96Decanter xcellent grip and tension through the palate, a well-judged and well-balanced Trottevieille, doing exactly as well as expected in a vintage that favours clay and limestone soils that keep freshness and focus. Elegant and sleek, plenty of tight...