Château Les Grands Chênes 2017

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Les Grands Chênes gives dusty earth, cigar box and iron ore aromas with a core of cassis, raisin cake and dried white mulberries. The palate is medium-bodied and chewy with just enough fruit.

Bright cherry and cassis fruit leads the way, with a subtle iron note peeking through on the finish. Moderate in scale, but fresh and pure. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2024.

This is well plumped up through the mid-palate, but it doesn’t quite manage to stretch all the way to the finish line before the austerity kicks in, and you can feel the fruit isn’t quite at full ripeness. Still, this is a good, well-handled wine that fits within the style of the property. It’s not as exuberant as in some years, but those oak notes do their best to add a touch of glamour.

A refined, balanced red with currant, chocolate and hazelnut character. What you really notice is the finesse and balance of the tannins, giving the wine length and composure. Lovely finish. Drinkable now, but better in 2022.

The 2017 Château Les Grands Chênes has a slight dustiness on the nose that I hope will dissipate with bottle age. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, dark berry fruit laced with tar, although I find the finish a little hard and it needs more flesh.

Smoke and black cherries deliver on the nose as this full-bodied, energetic and vibrant wine unfolds with dusky red fruits on the palate. Come for the sensation and stay for the dark chocolate edge that carries through the fruit to an espresso-tinged finish. The wine was made from a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dark red colour with a purple hue. Youthful nose of fresh red berries, leather, tobacco and dried herbs with mild oak. Rather full-bodied with a youthful texture, red currant and tobacco notes, good grip and length but a classic style still needing more ageing to open.

Broad, sweet, slightly alcoholic bouquet, blackberry jelly, caramel, mocha. Sweet, opulent, broad palate with sweet fruit, sandy tannins, firm structure, medium aromatics, dry finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2023 - 2040

Intense color, clean, precise overall impression, strict tannins but without dryness, medium length.

Structured, ample, fruity wine, notes of élevage, round and crisp tannins, juicy, with a tense, long finish.

Pleasant, inviting bouquet, revealing its élevage yet also freshness through raspberry notes. On the palate, the wine is fruity and slightly creamy. It is well supported by its tannins and a juicy structure. Fruity finish. A wine that still needs a little time to blossom.

The nose is a little lively and the palate is light.