Château La Couspaude 2021

Positive: the oak dominance has disappeared. Negative: notes of barely ripe berries overly shape the finish, making it rather austere.

Gently succulent and juicy, this is lightly framed and subtle, with the acidity, strawberry, cherry and raspberry fruit, tannins and texture all very graceful and elegant—a sign of the cool vintage in its weightlessness, though it also feels a bit diluted and currently lacks some mid-palate depth. You do get the mineral, chalky, graphite-edged finish, with a cooling lift that goes on and on, suggesting strong potential after ageing.

Plums, violets and nutmeg on the nose. Some chocolate orange. It’s nicely structured and polished on the palate with a medium body and medium-firm, creamy tannins. Drink from 2025.

75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Cask sample. Quite forward aromatically, red-berry fragrance with a leafy edge. Palate a little edgy, the fruit light and with a herbaceous edge. Acidity marked on the finish which gives the wine an astringent edge. (JL)

Dark garnet with purple hues at the rim. Fresh strawberry compote, a hint of rose hips, a touch of tapenade. Medium-bodied, red cherries, delicate tannins, a little loosely knit, a hint of raisins on the finish; an uncomplicated food wine.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 hl/ha, 13% vol. alcohol, production 30,000 bottles) Medium-bodied, spicy, slightly green bouquet, blackberries, red cherries, oak. Firm, mid-palate with finely sandy tannins, muscular structure, light fruit, austere aromatics, dry finish. Has room to improve.

(75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 hl/ha, 13% alc. vol., production 30,000 bottles) Medium-bodied, spicy, slightly green bouquet, blackberries, red cherries, wood. Firm, medium palate with fine sandy tannins, muscular structure, light fruit, austere aromatics, dry finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2028 - 2045

A pure blackberry pastille and blackcurrant purée nose, with sweetness and poise. The aromatics don’t follow through on the palate, and the flavors lose focus a little, with touches of earthy forest floor. It has grip and appeal, for medium-term drinking. 30 hl/ha yield.

Green aromas dominate both on the nose and on the palate. Yet it is very pleasant, classic, and timid, with notes of fresh, succulent red fruits. A finish reminiscent of coffee (gourmand).

Dark color with medium intensity. Very ripe nose, almost too ripe. Light, fruity palate.