Château Sénéjac 2024

On the nose, cassis and a hint of green bell pepper; on the palate, crisp fruit, underpinned by tannins that are present without being overbearing, fresh, with fine acidity and a medium-length finish on red berries. Best enjoyed young.

A burst of cool yet tangy blue fruit is joined by fresh acidity and a touch of dry, savoury sandalwood that detracts from the enjoyment. A combination of ripe and just-ripe fruit, with a slim overall expression.

Crisp, fresh, juicy, with black raspberries and a savory edge already showing nicely on the medium-bodied, fresh, dark-cherry-toned palate. You can enjoy it easily as soon as it is released. The wine blends 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2027–2038. 89–91 pts

Sénéjac comes from 40-year-old vines rooted in deep gravel soils. Aged for 12 months in barrels, 20% of which are new. The bouquet reveals delicate notes of dark berries and mint, complemented by a hint of graphite. Refined and elegant, the wine shows perfectly integrated tannins. It needs a little more time to gain aromatic expression on the palate.

The nose reveals notes of warm spices, blackberry, wild strawberry and small red berries, with hints of black pepper, camphor and fine touches of fresh clove. The palate is nicely driven, fresh and supple, with precision, accuracy and minerality. On the palate, this wine shows notes of juicy/fresh blackberry and violet, and, more subtly, fresh raspberry, together with hints of blond tobacco and clove, a touch of fresh infusion, a delicate sappy note and a racy minerality. The tannins are racy and finely velvety.

Sandalwood and cedar on the opening, brambled fruits, white pepper, austere but with juiciness on the finish. 48hl/h yield, 20% new oak for ageing.