Château Poesia 2023

The 2023 Poesia is stellar, just as it was en primeur. Brisk mineral notes drive through a core of red cherry/plum fruit, white pepper, blood orange and exotic spice. I admire its energy, tension and power. The 2023 is all about balance. Limestone soils lend great saline intensity.

Just about equal, but different stylistically from Barde Haut, here you find a vivid display of flowers, oceanic nuances, espresso, mint, chocolate, and red fruits in the nose. The palate has great energy, supple, salt-crusted fruits that display purity and elegance. The wine is showing much better in the bottle than it did from barrel, which is always a good sign. This could be the best vintage of Poesia I have ever tasted! The wine blends 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2047.

Located near to Château Peby-Faugères, with plenty of natural concentration in these clay over limestone soils, and naturally low pH. In the glass this translates into cassis, liquorice root, anise, fennel, cocoa bean, slate, tight tannins. Needs skilful handling, which the team here has clearly done well, but be aware that it should be given a few years to soften. 9.5 ha, with many young vines.

Chalky nuances mingle with hints of cocoa and peonies, while notes of black berries and Sichuan pepper emerge with aeration. The oak ageing is also clearly present, but it doesn’t dominate; it provides support! Saline on the attack, the wine brims with energy and momentum. Velvety, even slightly mellow tannins combine with a taut, lively acidity that frames the power and lifts the finish. A wine of impressive clarity and tension that deserves a little time to open up.

It earned “my best score ever given to this wine En Primeur”. That’s now confirmed. Deep, intense, beautiful colour. Highly aromatic nose with fresh, ripe fruit. Juicy on the attack, very aromatic through the mid-palate, with a lovely texture; the wine melts across the palate. It develops with power and length, savoury and slightly austere in its grain, yet profound in flavour. Tasted after decanting. The best ever made. Bravo!