Château La Tour de Bessan 2021

Gorgeous fragrance and florality on the nose, rose petals, black cherries and raspberries. Nicely plump texture in the soft chew to the salty, mineral-edged tannins – a metallic tang joining some herbal edges and liquorice on the finish. I like the character and the frame; this has some bounce to it and carries the flavour to a long finish. Not weighty, built not lean, with the minerality showing through all the way.

Savory olive notes here alongside dark berry fruit, walnuts and licorice. Juicy and fresh with a nicely firm tannin frame, medium body and a more mineral finish. Try in 2024.

Cask sample. The nose shows plenty of ripe fruit. The palate has good freshness but is rather dilute and lacks some intensity. (AC)

Dark cherries, olives, herbs and a touch of coffee bean open the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, crisp and light, with a cranberry and orange accented finish. Drink from 2024-2030.

Dark ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Slightly smoky savouriness on the nose with dark wild berries, some blackberries and nougat. Medium body, red berries on the palate with light tannins and a subtle sweetness on the finish. Drinking well already.

A little more extracted than some in the vintage, it gives a dark-fruit expression, with red and black cherry, plus cherry pit, raspberry leaf, and some bitter aniseed and tight woody tannins. Harvest September 23 to October 8. Yield 45 hl/ha, Marie-Laure Lurton owner, Eric Boissenot consultant.

La Tour de Bessan 2021 has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. Notes of fresh raspberries and black cherries open on the nose, followed by hints of tar and bay leaves. The light-bodied palate is chewy and simple, with an herbal finish.

A shy nose of orange fruits, with a touch of noticeable oak. Fresh and fruity, yet tempered by the élevage, which lends it a certain air of class.