Château Rouget

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Rouget has a pronounced nose of stewed plums, sautéed herbs, baked black cherries and mulberries with wafts of fallen leaves and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers loads of savory-laced black fruit preserves, with a chewy texture and earthy finish.

Tasted blind. Looks more evolved than most. Sweet with liquorice and a minty note. A determination to charm without necessarily moving with the times. Just a little hot on the end and softer than most.

Yum. Wonderful aromas of crushed berries, wet earth, sweet tobacco and fresh leather. Full body. Very tight, pinpointed palate with depth and length, too. The precision and balance is exceptional here. Try after 2023, but already a beauty.