A sleeper of the vintage, this well-proportioned, gorgeous blend of 72% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon possesses a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, blackberries and cooler-climate raspberry notes. Some minerality also makes an appearance in this medium-bodied, concentrated wine with sweet tannin and a long finish. This is another over-achieving Fronsac that boasts 14% natural alcohol, which gives readers an idea that the early spring and warmer than usual vintage, despite the challenges in September, produced some very fine wines. Drink it over the next decade.

Briary, dark fruit flavour. Reasonable extract. Slightly chewy finish. Drink 2016-2022. (15 points)