The 2017 Chasse-Spleen is a wine that I encountered two or three times during my tastings. I have a lot of admiration for this property however, every time I found evidence of under-ripeness on the nose that fed through onto the palate, whilst the finish is rather astringent. After great wines in both 2015 and 2016, the 2017 seems compromised by the growing season. 86-88 points

Clear cinnamon notes – the oak is certainly highly toasted, giving a swirl of glamour to the rich black cherry notes. There is ambition and delivery here, without too much extraction, but fruit is clearly not overly generous. Aged in 40% new oak. 89 points

Mid cherry red. Leafy graphite and fresh, cedary red and black fruit. Expressive. On the palate, thick and chewy tannins. Just fresh enough. Needs longer than some to be approachable. 15.5 points

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Chasse-Spleen has a nose of baked blackberries and plum preserves with tapenade and hoisin hints. The mouth is medium-bodied, firm and chewy with a slightly lean mid-palate and short finish. 82-84 points