Monday, November 4, 2019 - Arvi 2017 in the bottle tasting at the Dolder Grand in Zurich. Main conclusions: 1) Less concentration and complexity than 2015 and 2016; 2) generally soft tannins and light structures; 3) often well approachable already. Not a vintage to store for future generations, but one where you probably won't have to wait for a decade or more to pop a bottle and is likely to offer drinking pleasure early on. Of the 20 wines tasted, my top picks would be Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Clinet, Chevalier Blanc, Pichon Lalande (all 96) followed by Leoville Barton, de Fargues and Valandrau (all 95). See the tasting story for some number crunching.
Tasting note:
Sweet, sexy nose with spices and mixed forest berry fruit, marginally herbal and some leather in the distance. Intense, dense palate with a strong structure. A high-flyer in this vintage.