A lot of character in a rustic format. Tons of inky graphite on the nose, with roasted pork and dark berry skins. Rich but tannic in the mouth. Lots of dark, savory flavors. The tannin isn’t exactly soft, but it’s not out of whack either. Without any bright berry fruit concentration in the mid-palate and with lowish acids, I’d venture that this will never come fully into an elegant balance. So I’d drink this up in the shorter term for its rustic bullishness.
UPDATE: On night 2, a bit more fruit is showing in the mid-palate. Upping score from 8.7 to 8.8.
A lot of character in a rustic format. Tons of inky graphite on the nose, with roasted pork and dark berry skins. Rich but tannic in the mouth. Lots of dark, savory flavors. The tannin isn’t exactly soft, but it’s not out of whack either. Without any bright berry fruit concentration in the mid-palate and with lowish acids, I’d venture that this will never come fully into an elegant balance. So I’d drink this up in the shorter term for its rustic bullishness.
UPDATE: On night 2, a bit more fruit is showing in the mid-palate. Upping score from 8.7 to 8.8.
Jan 24th, 2026
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
