2017 Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien and more

 

Left Bank was mostly very successfull in 2017, especially in Saint-Estephe, but also Pauillac and Saint-Julien had their share of some very fine wines and a very balanced and more classic expression. Many lacks a little bit compared to their 2016 counterparts but it is a vintage with some beauties in it, albeit on a somewhat toned down style. 

Of the Médoc’s and Haut-Médoc’s here, as well as a few Listrac’s, some of the wines are a bit lean and lacks a bit of fruit. Cantemerle did not show that well during primeurs, and still on the leaner side. La Lagune is a very lovely effort. And I really enjoyed the dry white from Fourcas Hosten. 

Saint-Estephe is a real winner this vintage with beauties from Calon Ségur, Montrose and Cos d’Estournel. But also some very lovely wines from less well known estates, so you can find some value for money wines as well this vintage. Most of these will age effortlesly for twenty years and for the best ones up to fifty years should be no problem. 

Pauillac has some stars this vintage, some very elegant expressions from Lynch Bages and both Pichons and I also thoroughly enjoyed Grand Puy Lacoste. Again the lack a little bit compared to their 2016 siblings but are also more graceful than the rather fat 2018’s of which I am not yet finished tasting all. 

Saint-Julien showed very well in the samples I received, especially Gruaud Larose was difficult to keep the fingers off after the tasting was done, but Beychevelle also developed incredibly well in the glass and it was a good thing I could follow it for hours, because it really needed a bit of time to really sing. Talbot and Léoville Barton also showed very well. 

Margaux as so often has very different outcomes. Some lacks a bit of fruit and feels a bit too lean on the palate, while others are very fine indeed. Palmer is graceful with beautiful balance, and Brane Cantenac is the runner up for me from those tasted. I also enjoyed Cantenac Brown and Malescot St Exupery. But also a few wines were I expected more. Dauzac on the other hand showed better than expected.

Médoc

2017 Loudenne le Château

Ruby. Lightly scented nose, blueberries, some cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, some spices, good length. 88

2017 Château Les Grands Chênes

Ruby. Blueberries, cassis, scented, light vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, elegant texture, some structure to it, good length. 88

2017 Château La Cardonne

Corked. 

2017 Château Crabitey 

Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, fruit driven nose, on the richer side. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven, rounded, elegant texture, good length. 87

Haut-Médoc

2017 Château Belgrave

MAR 21 Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries, lightly scented and floral nose, lifted somehow. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fairly playful, blackberries, some red berries and cassis, elegant with texture, long finish. 91

2017 Diane de Belgrave

Ruby. Red fruits, anise, light herbal note and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, light bodied, structured behind, good length. 87

2017 Château Cantemerle

Ruby. Anise, herbs, paprika, leaner nose, some blueberries and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, herbs, leaner bodied, a lean, even thin Cantemerle. 87

2017 Château Lanessan

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, lighter nose, fruit driven with some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, anise, some cassis, lighter bodied, good length. 89

2017 Château La Lagune

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some vanilla, scented notes, dark fruits and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, blueberries and spices, juicy with texture, detailed, long. 92

Listrac 

2017 Cap Leon Veyrin

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, dark fruits and light vanilla nos. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, some spices, some texture to it, good length. 89

2017 Château Fourcas Hosten

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, vanilla, lightly scented nose, leaner. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis and blueberries, some texture to it, a classic, good length. 89

2017 Les Cèdres d’Hosten

Ruby. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries and red fruits, vanilla, light bodied, some light herbs, leaner, good length. 87

2017 Château Fourcas Hosten blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Almonds, apples, pears, faint peach, light vanilla touch nose.  Fresh acidity, surprising mouthfeel, a bit fuller bodied and creamier than some of the Medoc whites, even if not that intense. I don’t think I have tasted this before, really enjoying it! Good length. 88

Saint-Estephe

2017 Château Calon Ségur

Ruby. Scented, blueberries, cassis, floral, nuanced, detailed nose, quite bright. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, detailed and layered, blackberries and blueberries, layered and detailed, superb balance, long finish. 96

2017 Cos d’Estrournel

Ruby. Detailed nose, scented, minerals, nuanced, layered, cassis, blueberries, layered with some spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blueberries, detailed, intense, and nuanced, stunning balance, incedible length. A beauty! 98

2017 Château Cos Labory

Ruby. Cassis, vanilla, spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries and cassis, structured, a bit narrower finish, classic style, long. 91

2017 Château La Haye

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries and anise spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven, elegant texture, juicy, red fruits, good length. 89

2017 Château Lafon-Rochet

Ruby. Scented, red fruits, cassis and vanilla nose, blackberries and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries and spices, cassis, fruit driven, long. 93

2017 Château Montrose

APR 21 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, intense fruit driven nose, layered and deep. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, beautiful vigour, nuanced, detailed and layered, lovely balance, long finish. 98 

2017 La Dame de Montrose

APR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, blueberries, cassis, fruit driven nose, light spicy touch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, elegant texture, charming, long finish. 91

2017Château de Pez

Ruby. Dark fruits, anise, blueberries and spices, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberties and spices, fruit driven, floral and more scented with air. 89

2017 Château Tour Saint-Fort

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries and cassis nose, dark fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, leaner palate, liquorice, good length. 88

2017 Château Tour des Termes

Ruby. Red fruits, cassis and blackberries nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, quite bitter, red fruits, bit short and edgy. 85

2017 Château Tronquoy-Lalande

Ruby. Red fruits, anise, cassis and blueberries nose. Faintly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red fruits and cassis, elegant texture, good length. 89

2017 Château Tronquoy-Lalande blanc

Pale lemon yellow. Pears, apples, some grapefruits, light vanilla notes nose. Fresh acidity, apples, vanilla, peach, fruit driven, quite smooth, good length. Bit sharp finish. 87

Pauillac

2017 Château d’Armailhac

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, detailed, nuanced and intense nose, layered. Frsh acidity, ripe tannins, lovely balance, cassis, classical texture to it, intense and long. 93

2017 Château Batailley

Ruby. Vanilla, cassis, blackberries, spices, intense nose, faint tobacco touch. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, spices, juicy, anise, liquorice, long finish. Quite a bit of wood. 91

2017 Château Clerc Milon

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, vanilla, spices, layered and detailed nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, layered and nuanced, lovely balance, dark fruits and nice brightness to it, long. 94

2017 Château Croizet-Bages

Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, fruit driven, nuanced nose, scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark and red fruits, anise, some spices, good length. 89

2017 Château Fonbadet

Ruby. Scented, cassis, fruit driven, scented and bright nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blueberries, fruit driven, textured, long finish. 90

2017 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse

Ruby. Vanilla, cassis, blueberries and spices, rich, fruit driven nose, intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red and dark fruits, anise, leaner bodied, light herbal character, good length. 89

2017 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste

Ruby. Scented, cassis, blueberries, some vanilla and spices nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, juicy and detailed, firm, layered, beautiful texture and body, long finish. 94

2017 Château Haut-Bages Libéral 

Ruby. Cassis, fruit driven, anise, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blackberries, anise, spices, juicy and detailed, some firmness, elegant texture, lovely balance, long finish. 92

2017 Château Haut-Batailley

Ruby. Cassis, red fruits, blackberries and spices, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed, nuanced, lovely texture, long finish. 93

2017 Château Lynch Bages

Ruby. Cassis, deep uet fragrant and open, blueberries, nuanced, refined and almost aristocratic nose even at this youthful stage. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, detailed, bright with depth, layered and long. A beauty! 96

2017 Château Lynch-Moussas

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, light scented and some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blueberries and spices, juicy, long finish. One of the best vintages of Lynch-Moussas. 90

2017 Château Pédesclaux

65CS 25M 7CF 3PV Ruby. Cassis, red fruits, anise, blueberries, floral and scented, nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, juicy, red berries, refreshing and nuanced, lovely lift, long finish. 91

2017 Château Pibran

Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, vanilla, faintly floral high notes, quite spicy nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, sweet blueberries and spices, juicy and elegant, leaner finish. 90

2017 Château Pichon Longueville Baron

Ruby. Cassis, dark fruits, tobacco, detailed, intense, scented, lovely nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, classic texture and body, and I find it very seductive amidst all the rich 2018’s I’m tasting currently, long finish indeed. 96

2017 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, some coffee, vanilla, cassis, spices nose, quite intense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blueberries, spices, liquorice, blueberries, juicy with structure, long finish. 92

2017 Les Tourelles de Longueville

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, spices, scented, vanilla, very faint floral note, a whiff of sweet tobacco with lots of air. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blueberries, spices, nuanced, detailed, juicy, bright, lovely balance. Long. 90

2017 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 

Ruby. Tight first needs a few hours to open, revealing floral, scented, cassis, nuanced and detailed, vanilla, faint sweet tobacco notes nose. Fresh acidity, rip e tannins, anise, cassis, vanilla, spices, detailed and layered, smooth and long. 96

2017 Reserve de la Comtesse

Ruby. Scented, cassis, blueberries, some anise and vanilla nose, gentle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries and cassis, elegant fruit and texture, long finish. 90

Saint- Julien

2017 Château Beychevelle 

Ruby. Dark fruits, blackberries, cassis, vanilla, exotic spices and deep floral notes nose. Scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, juicy, spices, blackberries, mint, fruit driven and long. 95

2017 Château Branaire Ducru

Ruby. Vanilla, spices, some toast, cassis, blackberries and cassis nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, juicy, rich and dark fruity, blackberries and anise, vanilla, long finish. 93

2017 Château Gruaud Larose

Ruby. Blueberries, blackberries, cassis, vanilla, plums, intense nose. Needs time before revealing scented notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, dark fruits, detailed and layered, elegant texture, lovely balance, a beauty! Long finish. 95

2017 Château Lagrange

MAR 21 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, vanilla, spices, fairly tight, faintly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, anise, blackberries, vanilla and spices, juicy if lighter bodied, elegant texture, long finish. 91

2017 Château Langoa Barton

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose, scented, blackberries nose, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, cassis, juicy, blackberries, long finish. A fruit driven Langoa. 93

2017 Château Léoville Barton

Ruby. Cassis, scented, red fruits, blueberries, exotic spices, a richer nose for Léoville Barton. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries and cassis, structured and firm, long finish. 94

2017 Château Saint-Pierre

Ruby. Blackberries, coffee, blueberries and spices, quite intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, tobacco, chocolate, spices, red and dark fruits, structured, long finish. 92

2017 Château Talbot

Ruby. Scented, blueberries, cassis, anise, spices, dark fruits nose, faintly scented. More and more scented with air. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, red berries, fruit driven with structure, long finish. 94

Margaux

2017 Château Boyd-Cantenac

Ruby. Coffee, blackberries, vanilla, spices, dark chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, blackberries, rich and dense, lots of wood. 89

2017 Château Brane-Cantenac

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, vanilla, spices, floral, scented, nuanced and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured with lovely fruit and balance, classic yet a bit lusher, beautiful fruit. Long finish. 94

2017 Baron de Brane

Ruby. Blueberries, dark fruits, some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries and faint red berries, elegant texture, good length. 89

2017 Château Cantenac Brown

Ruby. Cassis, anise, some herbs, blackberries and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, vanilla, detailed, long finish. 93

2017 Château Dauzac

Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, fruit driven, dark fruits, spices, floral notes nose, faintly scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, has some lift to the fruit, refreshing, long finish. A lovely Dauzac! 92

2017 Château Desmirail

Ruby. Blackberries, red fruits, floral notes nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, cassis, vanilla and spices, good length. Woody finish. 89

2017 Château Ferriere

Ruby. Scented, blackberries, fruit driven, anise, vanilla, detailed nose, elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, blackberries and spices, cassis, elegant fruit and body, long finish. 90

2017 Château Giscours

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, fruit driven nose, some spices and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, dark berries, anise, juicy if lighter, good length. 88

2017 Château d’Issan

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, red fruits, anise, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blackberries, anise and spices, fruit driven, long finish. 93

2017 Château Lascombes

Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, vanilla, dark fruits nose, not that intense. Floral. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, red berries, some vanilla and spices, long finish. 91

2017 Château Malescot St. Exupery

Ruby. Cassis, dark fruits, anise, some vanilla and spices, blackberries nose. Scented, somewhat richer nose, deeper. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, red berries, anise, vanilla, some spices, long finish. 93

2017 Château Marquis de Terme

Ruby. Red fruits, cassis, floral notes, scented, lighter nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, spices, blueberries, elegant texture, long finish. 90

2017 Château Marquis d’Alesme Becker

Ruby. Blueberries, anise, cassis, light vanilla, fruit driven nose on the lighter side. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blueberries, vanilla, spices, quite nuanced, long finish. 92

2017 Château Palmer

MAR 21 Ruby. Scented, cassis, blackberries, some faint spices, violets, detailed, nuanced and bright nose, such purity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, smooth texture, bright, detailed, intense and layered, beautiful balance, velvety texture, so refined and effortless, graceful and long. A beauty. 97

2017 Alter Ego

MAR 21 Ruby. Blackberries, anise, fruit driven, scented, violets with air, elegant nose, classic. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, bright, detailed and elegant, nuanced, juicy, some spices, detailed and long. 93

2017 Château Pouget

Corked. 

2017 Château Prieuré Lichine

Ruby. Scented, red berries, anise, some spices and vanilla nose, black tea. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, lighter bodied, cassis, blueberries, vanilla, good length. 90

2017 Château Rauzan-Gassies

Ruby. Cassis, black tea, red fruits, some vanilla, lightly scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, red fruits, cassis, fruit driven, lacks some lift, good length. 88

2017 Château du Tertre

Ruby. Red fruits, some blueberries, herbs and red berries nose. Fresh acidity l ripe tannins, red fruits, anise, light bodied, lacks vigour, good length. 87