2017 Moulin Haut-Laroque (Fronsac)

The 2017 Moulin Haut-Laroque offers a floral bouquet, rose petal scents infusing the wild strawberry and crushed raspberry aromas, a little vanilla emerging later on. The palate is medium-bodied with plush tannin, good depth if just missing some tension towards the finish. It starts well but just loses a bit of quality towards the finish. 87-89 points

One of the more bouncy wines, making a positive out of the fresh fruit character. Dark spice and black cherry is in evidence. There’s great intensity but also a sense of freshness. It’s a wine that accompanies you all the way through the palate, holding your interest as it goes. With vines situated up in Saillans, the yields were at 30hl/h, which is fairly typical. A good 5% of 100-year-old Malbec vines makes up the blend. This is austere, but it has energy and will age well. The first wine was 70% of production for this vintage. 35% was frost affected. 91 points

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Moulin Haut-Laroque opens with blackberry preserves and black plums notions with hints of Sichuan pepper and yeast extract. The palate is medium-bodied with a well-sustained mid-palate and nicely balanced frame, finishing on a savory note. 87-89 points