2017 Fronsac, Lalande de Pomerol and more

Most of the wines tasted here are from the Grand Cercle organization that has many of the best finds for savvy buyers. Fronsac shows better and better, and some of the top names of the appelation sent samples and nice to retaste them  again in bottle. 

Bordeaux

2017 Domaine de Cambes

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, liquorice nose, light of vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blackberries and blueberries, fruit driven and juicy, long finish. You may find me crazy but tasting it side by side with the 2018, this is better balanced. 91

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

2017 L’Aurage

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, coffee, spices, rich and deep nose, vanilla and toast. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, vanilla, liquorice, sweet fruits, vanilla, spices, smooth, rich and long. 90

2017 Clos Puy Arnaud

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, blueberries, good length. 88

Côtes de Bourg

2017 Roc de Cambes

Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, dark fruits and spices, some liquorice and vanilla nose, fairly intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, blackberries, chocolate and coffee beans, truffles, rich and intense, high alcohol, long finish. 92

Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux

2017 Château Reaut

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, leaner finish. 85

2017 Carat de Château Reaut

Ruby. Red fruits, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit, leaner, red fruits. 85

Lussac Saint-Emilion

2017 Château La Rose Perrière 

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, good length. 87

Lalande de Pomerol

2017 Château de Chambrun

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, anise, some spices, good length. 88

2017 Château Moncets

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, alcohol nose. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, jammy, somewhat flat. 86

2017 Château Grand Ormeau

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blackberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, good length. 87

Fronsac

2017 Château Villars

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, vanilla and spices, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, good length. 88

2017 Château Moulin Haut-Laroque

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, minerals, blackberries, blueberries, good length. 88

2017 Château de la Huste

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, vanilla and spices nose, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, some spices, good length. 88

2017 Château Dalem

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, detailed, nuanced, intense and rich, layered, long. 92

2017 Château Fontenil

Ruby. Anise, blackberries, vanilla, some spices, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, blueberries, plums, detailed, long finish. 90

2017 Château La Dauphine 

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruit driven, faint minerals, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, cassis, structured, dark fruits and subdued minerals, long finish. 91