Château Le Boscq 2023

Blackcurrant fruit, cool fireplace, violets; taut palate, dense, not heavy, marked tannins, crunchy red berry fruit, herbal finish. Very typical of the appellation, can benefit from some aging.

Floral notes on the nose. Rich and fleshy, with real chew to the crunchy, high-toned strawberry and raspberry fruit here – lots of red cherry. Tannins are imposing, really coating the mouth with plenty of chalky minerality and a soft, salty powderiness. I like it; a little constricted on the finish, this will need plenty of time, but I love the cooling blue-fruit touch and the salinity all the way through. Fresh and lifted with lots of body and energy. 3.61 pH. A yield of 49 hl/ha. 1% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.

The 2023 Le Boscq was a dark horse out of barrel. In bottle, it retains a very promising, well-defined and quite elegant bouquet with blackberry and boysenberry fruit, well-integrated oak with touches of spice box. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins, but there is a keen line of acidity, peppery in style, with a classically styled finish. Give it three or four years in bottle.

Flowers, espresso and blackberries come to the surface in the perfume with ease. The palate is fruity, bright, crisp, and aromatic, with touches of mint, and tobacco in the brisk and energetic, finish. Drink from 2027-2040.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Delicately tobacco and herbal savouriness, some liquorice and black forest berries, mineral touch. Medium complexity, red cherry, fresh structure, mineral, some nougat, remains persistent, a versatile food companion.

46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 13% ABV. Seductive blueberry-scented bouquet, charming violet perfume, dark noble wood and Sichuan pepper. On the palate, taut and dense with a silky texture, tightly knit tannic framework, supporting verve and a compact body. Long, concentrated finish with refined cassis spice, dark minerality and delicately crumbly extract; clear ageing potential.

The definition and precision of the bouquet are delightful aromatic cues, all the more so as they add complexity and depth. Everything is well put together and coherent, and the wine stands out for its many nuances. Carried by powerful tannins that take up a bit too much space, it can nonetheless boast the substance and the time needed to complete its balance and devote itself to time in the cellar (or in the glass). It’s up to each person to choose, but a little patience will still be required; even if it’s no longer fashionable to say so, that shouldn’t stop anyone from doing it. Note too the fine grain of the tannins, which shows through on the finish. That extra touch helps lift the score.

A mix of dark currant and cherry fruit melds nicely with lilac and tobacco leaf notes, while a subtle accent of earth and a friendly kiss of toast fill in on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2035. 7,111 cases made, 125 cases imported.

Squid ink, powerful depth of black fruits, a little austere, slate and cocoa bean. As with En Primeur, a little short on the finish, but enjoyable.