2017 Serilhan (St-Estephe)

The 2017 Sérilhan has a lovely, quite opulent bouquet with pure black and red fruit infused with minerals and graphite, becoming more tertiary with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a fine bead of acidity, well-integrated oak and a caressing, silky smooth finish. Excellent. 90-92 points

There`s always lovely texture and flesh in this wine, and it`s a success in 2017, with an intense end of summer fruit feel and a cinnamon edge. It`s clearly been carefully worked to soften those tannins, delivering structure without closing the fruit down. Around 3ha of the 12.54ha estate were affected by frost. Harvested 18 September to 5 October. 78% of production for the grand vin, 22% for the second wine. 37% new oak. Hubert de Boüard is consultant. 90 points

Barrel sample taken 1 March (tasted on the 13th). 50% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc. Deep crimson with purplish rim. Deep-fruited aroma, both red and black fruit, a touch of pepper