Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2017

The January tasting contradicts the December one and comes a little closer to the en primeur tastings, with a beautifully lingering finish and fresh fruit, underscored by a touch of smokiness.

Ripe and focused, featuring a beam of cassis, plum and blackberry paste flavors, infused with black tea notes and framed by licorice root and apple wood accents. The grippy finish lets in a sweet tobacco hint. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2035. 5,416 cases made.

A more complicated vintage, one where you can see why Larrivet Haut-Brion has received so much praise in recent years because this is a well-handled wine. Tons of rich strawberries on the nose, a lighter vintage overall than the 2016 but it has grace and charm. Well handled, some expert winemaking on display, you can expect plenty of enjoyment from this over the next few years - but if you want a 2017, my money is on the white.

This has quite a rich core of ripe dark-plum aromas and flavors. The dense, supple tannins are nicely cut. Drink or hold.

Deep crimson with a smudgy rim. Lifted, lightly leafy cassis on the nose. Lots of pencil lead. On the palate, the tannins dominate, dry but quite thick. Fresh and creamy on the finish but lacking some freshness. (JH)

Deep dark ruby, with purple reflections and a delicate bright rim. On the nose, there is black berry fruit, a fresh herbal savoriness, a touch of fine oak character, and some discreet nougat. On the palate it is juicy, with ripe cherry fruit, some minerality, and fine tannins. It is well structured, with a nougat flavor on the finish, and it has nice length with definite ageing potential.

The 2017 Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion also showed nicely, with a floral, spicy, savory style as well as medium-bodied richness and depth, plenty of chocolaty dark fruits, ripe tannins, and a seamless, balanced, elegant style. I'd happily drink bottles over the coming decade or more. This is based off 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Merlot, brought up mostly in used barrels.

Kunz barrel sample 18: fruity, medium-bodied bouquet, red blackberries, cherries, red licorice, freshly cut wood. Silky, refined palate with sweet fruit, fine sandy tannins, spicy aromatics, fresh finish.

Fruity, medium-bodied bouquet, red blackberries, cherries, red licorice, freshly cut wood. Silky, refined palate with sweet fruit, fine sandy tannins, spicy aromatics, fresh finish. 17/20 2023 - 2038

Purplish violet. The nose of this Larrivet initially shows vegetal notes reminiscent of eucalyptus and peas. Little fruit. The palate is tasty, juicy. A suave touch. There is a certain imbalance between the nose and the palate. The finish is slightly rough and vegetal. To be continued.

91–93. Barrel Sample. Ripe, juicy with plenty of black currant flavors, this wine has solid tannins as well. It has a good depth of flavor, its tannins well integrated into the juicy fruits. Drink from 2023.