May 6, 2022 - Prior bottle was almost 14 months ago and this wine has improved more than I had anticipated in that time. Black cherry, blackberry and earth notes on the nose with the vanilla now a more balanced background note. Medium bodied with the same mix of black cherry and blackberry as prior bottles, but with noticeably more nuance. As this wine has opened up, the fruit notes have taken on extra dimensions. The softer black cherry has opened up and contrasts well with the brighter black cherry while the blackberry has both darker, deeper notes that almost get to plum as well as higher and brighter notes. These elements are tied together with tannins and acidity on the backside that have improved balance with the fruit. Minerals, earth and spices make up the finishing notes with the mineral qualities perhaps taking on slightly more prominence. Overall, this wine has come together better than I'd hoped and in a fashion it should be able to maintain for several more years.
March 11, 2021 - Idem à la dernière bue il y a près d'un an, et même une coche de plus.
March 10, 2021 - Prior bottle was just over two years ago and this wine remains in a good spot. Nose shows black cherry, earth and lots of vanilla notes. Just above medium bodied with the same mix of black cherry and blackberry as the dominant fruit notes. The mid-body continues to open up and shows more rounded, more accessible fruit notes than previously. Tannins on the backside are more integrated than previously. Finish shows mineral qualities, earth and spice notes. Fruit continues to hold up well and the tannins continue to integrate. This wine is close to or at peak and while it should be able to hold this level for another couple of years, there's no reason to delay. I will probably open my last bottle later in 2021.
November 28, 2020 - Ok. Likely heading downhill
July 9, 2020 - At full-maturity, the wine is earthy, smoky, round, lush, soft and still fresh, with its dark red pit fruits, licorice, cocoa and stony, mid-palate finish. I'd opt for drinking this over the next few years before it starts its gentle decline.
June 27, 2020 - Hard to rate. PnP, and immediate notes of prune jump out of the glass. Tasted right away, waited 3 hours and tasted, and saved a glass to taste 24 hours later. Consistent notes all three times, with prune/raisin, leather, and vanilla leading the way. Still somewhat tannic, so I'm not sure if this bottle was exposed to heat at some point. Reminded me of a decent Madiran.
May 21, 2020 - À 43$ en i.P., pas donné pour un Fronsac, mais il les vaut largement. Du fruit (noir), des beaux tannins assez fins, une belle longueur et un bois équilibré. Le millésime parle!
March 4, 2019 - Prior bottle was nearly 16 months ago and this wine has begun to evolve as I'd hoped. Still a bit tannic and closed when first opened, it really started to show well after about two hours open and all of these notes and from that point on.
Black cherry, earth and vanilla notes on the nose. Between medium and full bodied with the same mix of black cherry and blackberry upfront, but this time, showed a touch more rounded and accessible, especially through the middle. Felt like there was a more complete bridge to the backside as well showing tart blackfruit and minerals. Still has a good amount of tannin, but overall, noticeably better integrated than previously. In general, I would say that the flavor profile is pretty much the same with only minor additions to complexity. But in terms of integration and balance, the wine has clearly evolved positively. I will probably try my next bottle in early 2020 and hope that this trend continues.
November 12, 2017 - Blackberry and an earthy oakiness on the nose. Opened about an hour ahead of time and while it showed good fruit initially, seemed to fall a bit out of balance the longer it was open. Between medium and full bodied (14.5%) with blackberry and black cherry upfront. There's good fruit present through the mid-body, but for now, it's masked by drying, intrusive tannins (even after three hours open). Towards the finish, it starts to come together nicely with a mix of blackfruit and mineral that really works well. Once the tannins settle down, this could become quite enjoyable, especially for an impressive value petite Bordeaux. I'll try my next bottle in 12-18 months and reassess.
July 30, 2017 - A nice little surprise. Good balance, smooth. Enjoyable