Château La Cabanne 2023

Final year of conversion to organic farming; expressive, with ripe raspberry, blackcurrant and violet notes on the nose; a powerful yet elegant palate, crisp fruit, silky tannins, a dancing lightness, and very good length; red-fruited finish with a saline touch.

With welcoming red berry fruit and salinity, there is fine tannin, and the wine provides freshness and mid palate succulence, although the tannins dry out a bit on the finish. Ageing in 55% new oak.

100% Merlot. Cask sample. Red fruit with a firm, stony edge. Fresh and clean with length on the finish. Not a lot of ‘wow’ but does the job. (JL)

The 2023 La Cabanne has a pretty nose, perhaps just missing a bit of vigor, though well-defined, with dark berry fruit mixed with light smoky scents. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine acidity, nicely focused, with a sapid finish. Maybe it does not possess the length of the best vintages from this Pomerol estate, but it has plenty of freshness and vitality.

Flowers, herbs, plums, and cherries express their character easily in the nose. The palate outshines the nose with its softness, energy, and gentle bearing that you feel quite easily. The wine is produced from 100% Merlot. Drink from 2028-2042.

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, DELICATE edge brightening. Fine nougat, some spices, black forest berries, cloves and orange zest. Medium complexity, black cherries, integrated tannins, somewhat loosely knit, fresh, mineral, versatile.

Deep plum colour, damson fruits, sweet charred oak, appellation typicity. 55% new French oak barrels for ageing, 43 hl/ha yield.

Score: 90–92. On the nose, bright, inviting small red and blue fruits are simply begging to be eaten. A few floral aromas weave through as well. The palate is juicy (Burlat cherry and blackcurrant), supported by velvety tannins and a savory, moreish character that blends meaty and chocolaty notes, before a fresh finish.

Complex and gradually unfolding, the bouquet of La Cabanne reveals itself little by little. It finds its footing and convinces with its many facets, giving pride of place to freshness, while still showing the vintage’s warm side. Suave on the attack, the wine avoids excess. Carried by fine tannins that emerge late, it has a reliable backbone. This provides vigour and power, within a well-framed structure. An inviting wine with plenty of character, clearly entitled to take its time! And it will need it 😉