La Chapelle de La Mission 2023

Expressive, clear fruit, floral notes; crisp on the palate, remarkably fine-grained, elegant, perfectly judged tannins, crisp fruit—your senses are already rejoicing. A delicacy. Will be enjoyable early.

Milk chocolate, blackcurrant and bramble fruit on the nose, gorgeous scents. Ripe and plummy, juicy and so bright, lovely clarity but such precision, really well defined, tension is there and there are edges to the tannins but there is also such good movement. Not plump at all, great clarity with freshness and lift. Lovely sculpting, not muscular but there’s weight and depth here. And I love the fleshy tannins just giving a bit of crushed velvet texture to the palate. Bright, balanced, vibrant, and long too. Soft and lush. 3.8pH.

Cigar box, smoke, currants, and dark red pit fruits show with ease. On the palate, the wine is dark in fruit, with the essence of tobacco, black currants, spice, and chalk, with a chewy, lifted finish. Enjoy it while waiting for the Grand Vin to develop. The wine blends 48% Merlot, 39.4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12.3% Cabernet Franc, 14.3% ABV. 3.7 pH. Drink from 2025-2040. 91-93 pts.

Deep ruby colour, makes an immediate impression with its elegant, uplifted tannic grip delivering careful construction of red roses, blueberry and black cherry fruit, grilled spices and understated energy. Will need a good few years in bottle before fully softening, but full of joy.

93-95. Barrel Sample. Black fruit aromas, rich tannins and structure give this wine an initial firmness. But at the same time, it already has a smooth texture that goes with the black fruits and acidity. The wine will certainly age well.