This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous
Clos Fourtet
Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
The 2017 Clos Fourtet is vivid, rich and super-expressive. Beams of salinity give the 2017 its energy and shape. In the glass, the 2017 is wonderfully vivid and nuanced. Lavender, mint, blue fruits and blood orange all build into the beautifully layered, exquisite finish. In 2017, Clos Fourtet is all class. This is a terrific showing from the Cuvelier family. Tasted three times. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Cantenac Brown
Margaux Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017
The 2017 Cantenac Brown has really come together nicely. The typically overt Cantenac Brown style is present in a round, supple Margaux that exudes textural richness and raciness. Dark cherry, spice, chocolate and licorice all flesh out in this wonderfully inviting, supple Margaux, with pretty savory notes that add freshness and energy. This understated wine is all class. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Grand Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2017
The 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte is fantastic. Rich, sumptuous and opulent, the 2017 dazzles with total class. Inky blue and purplish fruit, chocolate, licorice, menthol, sage and lavender infuse the 2017 with striking layers of depth and complexity. A wine of tremendous character and balance, the 2017 is flat-out gorgeous and very clearly one of the wines of the year. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Léoville Poyferré
Saint Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
A ravishing Saint-Julien, the Léoville-Poyferré is also very clearly one of the wines of the vintage on the Left Bank. Raspberry jam, blood orange, mint, spice and mocha all race out of the glass as this sumptuous, flamboyant wine shows off its exotic personality. With its vertical lift and explosive energy, the 2017 has so much to offer. It has been nothing less than stunning on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In 2017, the Grand Vin is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Because of the late season rains, only 3 out of the 5 parcels that typically inform the Grand Vin were used. This a tremendous effort from the Cuvelier family. Don't miss it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Beychevelle
Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
The 2017 Beychevelle is a luscious, extroverted beauty. An exotic mélange of super-ripe dark cherry, red plum, pomegranate, espresso, licorice and blood orange build as this potent, unctuous Saint-Julien opens up in the glass. The tannins need time to soften but should not be much of an issue in another few years' time. I very much like the push and pull of ripeness and energy in the 2017. In a word: memorable. Tasted two times. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Rouget
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
The 2017 Rouget is a total knockout. Aromatically explosive, deep and just so compelling in its beauty, the 2017 has so much to offer. A rush of inky dark fruit, lavender, bittersweet chocolate, spice and licorice build as this sumptuous, exotic beauty shows off all of its allure. The 2017 is not at all subtle, but it sure is gorgeous. Rouget was stellar en primeur. It is every bit as impressive from bottle. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Fonplégade
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
The 2017 Fonplégade is classy, polished and simply impeccable in its balance. The Fonplégade is not a huge wine, but it has really gained in finesse over the course of its aging. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, mint and cinnamon add character to this racy, silky, exceptionally polished Saint-Émilion. Floral overtones add brightness to the finish. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Carbonnieux
Grand Cru Classé de Graves Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
The 2017 Carbonnieux is dark and intense in the glass. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of dark fruit in this decidedly potent, Pessac-Léognan. Orange peel, incense, spice, sweet tobacco and cedar add a super appealing exotic flair as the 2017 builds with time in the glass. Another few years in bottle should help things come together even more fully. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Château Beauséjour
Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2017
The 2017 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is powerful and backward, with huge tannins wrapped around a core of black cherry, smoke, charcoal, licorice, blackberry jam and graphite. Exotic and rich in the glass, the 2017 needs time to soften, but it is immensely promising, not to mention utterly captivating. Tasted three times. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago
Delectable Wine
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Just as it was en primeur, the 2017 Vieux Château Certan is regal and soaring right out of the glass. Inky blue and purplish fruit, chocolate, licorice, lavender, spice and mint come together in a dense, dark and powerful Pomerol. The 2017 is an explosive, vivid wine of monastic beauty. In this vintage, VCC is especially dark and somber, which adds to a real feeling of mysterious beauty. It is a towering achievement from Alexandre and Guillaume Thienpont. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2020)
— 5 years ago