(2017) A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon, this is unoaked and comes from a classic clay over limestone terroir. A youthful colour with a hint of emerald, there's a very attractive aroma, some green fruit and herbaceous notes, but the Semillon adds some waxiness and lemon. In the mouth it is firm, fruity and textured, a nice slippery weight on the palate and clean stone fruit and citrus finishing with a chalky dryness and excellent balance.
(2017) This Right Bank wine is dominated by Merlot (85%) plus Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, from an appellation not far from St Emilion. The bit of bottle age has given nice tertiary development: a hint of truffle and green pepper, a bit of classic Bordeaux bloodiness, but the fresh blackcurrant fruit is to the fore. In the mouth it is supple and has a savoury fruit and spice character, good generosity but a tight, sinewy finish where the acid and tannin balance gives freshness. Very appealing.
(2017) A 60/40 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, made in concrete vats, there's a smooth, classy aroma, all supple dark and savoury berries with a hint of spice and basil. In the mouth it's driven by ripe fruit and underpinned by a bit of serious structure: tannnis are grippy, the acidity fresh like plum skins, and that gives a cool, elegant length in the mouth adding to the sense of this being still quite young, and very nicely made.
(2015) Gorgeous nose, from the same terroir as the Grand Vin, this shows lovely Botrytis notes with barley sugar richness. The palate has roundness and richness too, but it is the orangey, vibrant finish that sets this apart, a touch of bitterness, of kumquat, to throw that sweetness into wonderful relief. Delicious, long and tangy. Price is for a half bottle.
