Domaine de la Solitude 2019

Shows good juicy energy, with black licorice, tar and bramble accents underscoring a core of steeped plum and warmed cassis. Features a subtle sanguine thread that weaves in on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2027. 10,000 cases made.

Bright red cherry and blackcurrants with a soft cocoa dusting on the nose. Lovely purity and intensity here, crystalline clarity with well-integrated tannins and a super-graceful feel. You get the layers of red currants and blackberries, then the graphite and liquorice which all builds towards a lifted and refreshing finish. Super-tasty and balanced, with a gentle creaminess.

Aromas of ripe blackcurrants, blackberries, dark chocolate, licorice and smoke. Polished and refined with medium to full body and firm tannins. Ripe and fruit-driven. Hints of crushed stones and walnuts, too. Rich finish. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% petit verdot. Drink after 2026.

Smoke, herbs, tobacco leaf, spice, and red fruits come through on the nose and palate with little effort. The wine is soft, medium-bodied, elegant, and fresh, with lift and energy in the red plum- and cherry-packed finish. There is good energy and ample fruit in the endnote. Give it a year or two in the cellar and it will be even more complex. Drink from 2023–2032.

Inky bright purple colour. Pure nose with ripe, fresh fruit, darker berries, cassis and plum with mild oak and tobacco notes. Good grip on the palate, classically built with fresh acidity, a tannic backbone with good roundness, a hint of oak-derived spicy flavours, savoury dark fruit and a long, vibrant finish.

Moving to the red, the 2019 Domaine De La Solitude (Pessac-Léognan) reveals a ruby/plum color as well as textbook Graves notes of red and black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, and smoked tobacco. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has ripe, supple, yet building tannins, and a great finish. It's beautifully done, and while I'd happily drink a bottle today, it will keep for upwards of two decades.

The 2019 Domaine de la Solitude is medium to deep garnet-purple colored. It springs forth with notions of redcurrant jelly, kirsch, and blackcurrant pastilles, plus suggestions of cloves, underbrush, and lavender. Medium-bodied, it is elegant and refreshing with soft tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a spicy lift.

Garnet red with violet highlights. A delicate bouquet with notes of red berries and spices. Like on the nose, the palate unfolds with great finesse. The wine is elegant, slender, and perfectly balanced. It has well-integrated tannins and can be enjoyed in its youth.

The 79-acre estate is owned by the religious order of the Holy Family, managed by the team of Domaine de Chevalier. This wine is balanced, ripe with generous tannins and dark-berry fruits. Black cherries and acidity complete this attractive wine. Drink from 2025.