Château Citran 2019

Fragrant and full of life on the nose. Succulent and supple, this has energy and brightness, full of raspberry and red cherry fruit. On the lighter-framed side with an aerial feel to the palate, which is fresh, juicy and full of personality.

Notes of blackcurrants and blackberries with hints of cloves, licorice, tobacco and hazelnuts. It has medium body and ripe, velvety tannins. Juicy and round with a fruity finish. Merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Needs two or three years to soften and open.

Very deep crimson. Open and scented, though it is the dark cassis fruit that dominates. Attractive mix of cassis and leafy highlights. Very fresh, medium-bodied, dry, with an elegant tannin texture. (JH)

The 2019 Citran has a lively nose, not complex but offering ample black fruit, wild mint and light touches of orange rind. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly hard entry. This is a stocky Haut-Médoc, a little drier than its peers, delivering plenty of grip and an almost briny finish. It needs knitting together and some of its rough edges smoothed out, but that might come with time.

The finest vintage of Citran I have ever tasted pops with chocolate-covered cherries, flowers, raspberries and herbs. Medium-bodied, soft, polished, fresh and fruity, the wine finishes with sweet red fruits with a touch of kirsch and cocoa in the endnote. Drink from 2023-2034.

Black cherry, mulberries, tobacco, and sappy flower and cedary notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Citran, a nicely balanced, medium-bodied, elegant Haut-Médoc that has come together nicely since I tasted it from barrel. It will keep for a solid 10-12 years.

Kunz barrel sample 2020: (47% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% vol. alcohol, production 236,000 bottles) Delicate, light, red-berry bouquet: red cherries, wood. An angular, slender palate with light fruit, a touch of sweet aromatics, sandy tannins, and a light finish.

(47% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% alc. vol., production 236,000 bottles) Delicate, light, red-berry bouquet, red cherries, wood. Angular, slender palate with light fruit, little sweet aromatics, sandy tannins, light finish. 15/20 2024 - 2032

The 2019 Citran is deep garnet-purple in color. Plum preserves, blackcurrant cordial, and fallen leaves waft from the glass followed by hints of Sichuan pepper and black olives. Medium-bodied, it is fruity with a lively backbone and soft tannins, finishing pure, bright, and cheery.

Inviting aromas of strawberry, blackcurrant, fresh fig and rose petals. The wine is fluid and silky, with notes of red fruit and spice that lead to a soft, lovely finish.

Confusingly, this wine does not come from the Château Citran vineyard although that estate's technical team is involved. The wine is ripe, structured with a firm core of tannins that give some aging potential. Drink from early 2022.