2017 Saint Emilion is a vintage in 4 parts.
At its best, you have 2 areas which produced outstanding wine, not that far from what you found in 2016 and 2015 for a few vineyards located on the limestone plateau and in the gravels, close to Pomerol. That is part 1 and 2.
Part 3, there are some very nice and even good 2017 Saint Emilion wines found in vineyards with limestone and clay soils. Some of those vineyards suffered varying degrees of frost damage, depending on their terroir.
Part 4 is bleak. Far too many vineyards were decimated by the spring frost. There are numerous vineyards that lost 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and even 90% of their harvest. The worst devastation took place in and around the Corbin sector, where several vineyards were completely wiped out, and they were not able to make any 2017 St. Emilion wine this year.
Clearly, 2017 Saint Emilion will always be remembered as the year of the frost. The nights of April 27 and April 28 hit temperatures of below -4 Celsius. The Right Bank has not experienced this much damage from frost since 1991.
Second generation fruit, the grapes that start growing after the frost, was successful to varying degrees. The results depended on the vineyard, terroir and good luck. The problem with those grapes is, if they reached maturity, it was not at the same time as the main harvest, so the berries needed separate vinifications. It was a lot of work especially since the percentage of second-generation grapes used is quite low.
Another difficulty, or opportunity, depending on the situation was that first generation grapes are the product of a cooler, dry growing season and the second generation grapes received more sun, inheriting riper characteristics and higher degrees of alcohol, giving you 2 different wine styles. This is where the magic of blending comes in.
Part of the reason the frost struck with such ferocity was that it hit just after bud-break, when the plants are at their most delicate stage of development. The vineyards which survived the frost were still looking for an early, and hopefully successful harvest.
Mid may saw flowering take place under good conditions. June offered both heavy rain and sweltering heat waves, which depending on the soils and vine age, put the vines under stress. By mid-summer, once July settled in, the summer weather could be described as was moderate. The skies were often cloudy and temperatures remained mostly mild.
Veraison, when the grapes change color, began relatively early, with a dry August. Rain during the first half of September was initially welcome after the dry period. Most chateaux were harvesting Merlot by mid to late September, finishing with the Cabernet Franc by the second week of October. For a detailed look at the weather and harvest that shaped the 2017 Bordeaux growing season 2017 Bordeaux Vintage and Harvest Report
The fruit that ripened offered small grapes with thick skins and a healthy skin to juice ratio. The wines are fresh, but not overly so. They offer intense aromatic characteristics, sweet fruits and soft, silky tannins.
The problems come in with the estates that over extracted and used too much oak during the aging period. Those approaches were not warranted in 2017 as the wines are not powerful or dense. They are often elegant and fresh in their nature.
The wines offer more red fruit character and less alcohol than you find in the more recently heralded, 2016 and 2015 vintages. Most 2017 Saint Emilion wines will also offer fairly early drinking windows.
The following 2017 Saint Emilion wines were tasted between March 22 and April 12 in Bordeaux in non-blind conditions. I was able to taste several of these ones on at least occasions, and they all showed consistent results.
2017 Angelus – Blushing fruits, forest floor, truffle, mint and smoke fashion a bouquet that is enough to get you hooked on this outstanding creation. However, if you need more, the velvet textures, parfait of sweet red and black fruits, spice box and a sensuous finish seals the deal. The wine was made from blending 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc. With 13.5% alcohol. The harvest took place September 13-September 29. The Grand Vin was made from 80% of the harvest. Due to the frost, close to 20% of the vineyard was damaged. 96 – 98 Pts
2017 Le Carillon de l’Angélus – One of the top second wines, here you find, sweet, juicy, plums, smoke, licorice, floral scents and a touch of minerality. The silky tannins and freshness come through in the finish. The wine was made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Les Asteries – Sweet and spicy red fruits with a distinctive, mineral driven character, this experience concludes pleasurably. The wine has the fruit and structure to age. The blend was made from 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Ausone – Dark ruby with purple accents on the rim, the wine is luxuriant, full-bodied, lusciously textured, sensuous and with all that going on, this is also quite refined. The mineral-driven, sweet dark red fruits offer an impressive sense of purity. There is persistence and vibrancy on the palate. Made from a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, the wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.5 and represents 80% of the crop. The harvest took place from September 23 to September 29. 97 – 99 Pts
2017 Chapelle d’Ausone – Licorice, crushed stone, espresso, flowers and black cherry liqueur initiate the encounter. From there you’ll progress to a finesse-styled, supple-textured wine with scrumptious red berries that deliver lift and sweetness. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Badette – Fleshy, ripe, silky, sweet and fresh, the wine has length, polished tannins and freshness with dark chocolate and juicy, ripe plums in the finish. The wine was made from blending 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is becoming a new wine to watch in Saint Emilion! 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Barde Haut – Floral characteristics kick off the soiree. From there you move to an introductory waltz of cocoa, plums, cherry, licorice and a background note of mint. Fresh, juicy, supple and long, there is a lot to lie here with the perfectly ready fruits giving it lift in the finish. I am also digging the less oaky approach to the aging. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse – Showing a gleaming garnet hue, the wine is lush with flavor, cashmere tannins and length and purity of fruit. The finish combines dark, sweet fruits and minerality with salty tannins, making this not just a dazzling taste but a distinct feel as well. Reaching 14% alcohol, the wine is a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. The harvest ran from September 22 to October 2. 95 – 97 Pts
2017 Beau-Sejour Becot – Soft, lush, round and polished, the wine has flesh, ripeness, concentration and length. With a strong sensation of underlying minerality, you are also treated to dark chocolate, juicy ripe fruits, sweetness and volume. There is length, depth and a great mouthfeel. This is the first vintage with Thomas Duclos as the consultant. It looks like they are on a roll here! 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Belair-Monange – Roses and rocks and perfectly mature plums and cherries create harmony on the palate. The tannins are salty due to the intense minerality. The textures are flowing with silk and the fruit is doing a salsa dance. Give this up to a decade in the cellar for it to shine at its best. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Bellefont-Belcier – The first vintage for new owner Peter Kwok is deep in color. The medium/full bodied, fresh, bright, black cherry, licorice and chocolate filled wine offers soft textures, freshness and minerality in the finish. The wine was made from blending 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Bellevue – Satiny, sumptuous, ripe, medium/full bodied with heaps of sweet, dark plums, chocolate, licorice and wet earth, there is a softness to the tannins that engages perfectly with the delectable fruits. This wine is made from 100% Merlot. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Bellevue-Mondotte – Smoky black and blue fruit, licorice and spice box allure create the aromatic profile. Deep in color with a supple texture and ripe, sweet, opulent plums, this wine finishes with a spicy, mineral character sustaining the plethora of ready fruit. Produced from a blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.47. Yields were quite low at only 16 hectoliters per hectare this vintage. 94 – 96 Pts
2017 Berliquet – Medium/full bodied with sweet, juicy plums, a fervent dollop of minerality and a dazzling plummy endnote, the wine is made from blending 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Cadet Bon – Silky, soft and polished, there is a sense of minerality in the fleshy, ripe cherries, licorice and cocoa found here. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 de Candale – Black cherry, earth, licorice and floral aromas pique your interest in this medium bodied, early drinking wine. Prepare for a blitz of sweet cherry on the palate and in the finish. 87 – 89 Pts
2017 Canon – With a dark red-purple color, the wine is supple and sleek. The fruit is ambrosial. There is vigor and length. The finish lingers along the tiers of ripe dark and red fruits and glycerin. Formulated from a blend of 73% Merlot and 27% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% alcohol. 94 – 96 Pts
2017 Canon la Gaffeliere – The nose is chalky with dark berries, licorice, wet earth and forest floor aromatics. The wine is full bodied, fresh and mineral driven. You can feel the rocks and stones while enjoying the sweet red fruits and there is a freshness that stands out in the finish. The wine was made from blending 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Half of the vineyard was struck by the frost. The harvest took place September 18-October 10. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Cantin – Floral with a kiss of espresso, coconut, licorice, black cherry and dark chocolate, the wine is fleshy, flashy and forward and once the oak is resolved, the wine will be quite tasty to drink. 88 – 90 Pts
2017 Cheval Blanc – There is a lot of depth here. The fruit comes in layers that alternate between earth, red berries and black fruits. There is intensity and elegance, with a unique fleshy sensation due to the large percentage of Cabernet in the blend. You will want to age this for at least 15 years before popping a bottle. The wine was made using 56% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the most Cabernet Sauvignon ever used in the blend in the history of the estate! The wine reached 13.2% alcohol with a pH of 3.65 and the harvest took place September 6 to October 11, which is the longest harvest recorded here. The Grand Vin represents 77% of the harvest. 96 – 98 Pts
2017 Le Petit Cheval – Medium bodied, soft, silky and fresh, the wine is elegant and polished and should show well quite early in life. Produced from a blend of 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Franc, only 8% of the harvest was placed into the wine this year. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Cheval Blanc Le Petit Blanc – From 100% Sauvignon Blanc, the wine is lively, fertile and vibrant with green apple, white peach, flowers, citrus peel and just a touch of vanilla. Animated and refreshing, there is a zesty quality here that stands out on the palate. 92 Pts
2017 Clos Badon Thunevin – Smoke, earth and licorice with dark red fruits, deep color and a round, red plum finish is what you will find here. A couple years in the cellar should add more softness and complexity to the wine. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Clos-de-lOratoire – Strawberry, earth, black cherry and floral notes open the wine. Medium/full bodied with lush, soft textures, the fruit is juicy, fresh and sweet. You can drink this young or age it for a few years. The wine was made from blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The harvest took place September 26 to October 10. Due to the frost, close to 65% of the harvest was lost. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Clos de Sarpe – Crushed rocks is the first thing you notice, followed by toasty oak, dark cherry, licorice, flowers and smoke. The wine is full bodied and delivers ample fresh red fruits, salty ripe tannins and a strong rocky essence through to the finish. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Clos des Jacobins – Medium-bodied, with a core of licorice, cocoa and sweet cherry fruits. Soft tannins and a gentle mouth feel will make this wine charming to enjoy in its youth. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Clos Dubreuil – With plush, round textures, the juicy, ripe black cherries are surrounded by chocolate, rainy earth and licorice notes. Soft and approachable, there is lift and sweetness to accompany the fruit-filled finish. The wine was made from 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 13.5% alcohol. Due to the frost, 50% of the harvest was decimated. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Clos Fourtet – For a magnificent opening there is a crushed rock nature, followed by a mixed bouquet of flowers, licorice and red berries. With a lovely dense color, this is grand and ornate yet bright and zippy, the fruit flows along perfectly from the attack to the finish. The wine was made from blending 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 14% alcohol. 94 – 96 Pts
2017 Clos Junet – Early drinking, medium bodied, forward and soft, the wine offers a blend of fresh plums, coffee bean and thyme. This is an early drinking, Right Bank wine of pleasure. 86 – 88 Pts
2017 Clos La Madeleine – The salty rocks, licorice, smoke and red fruits are the first thing you’ll find, but most of the excitement will happen on the palate with its silky, sweet, fresh, red fruits and licorice nuances. You can drink this early, but aging will help the wine develop more complexities. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Clos Saint Julien – The wine offers a stony, mineral driven, salty, fresh, dark red fruit character that is unique to this vineyard. Fresh, and with the structure to age, this will develop quite well as it evolves. Normally this is a wine that requires well over a decade to come around, but this is a forward vintage for Clos Saint Julien. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Clos St. Martin – Black cherries, licorice, espresso and fudge are the first thing you’ll notice. From there, you’ll quickly move to the creamy, silky textures, lush, polished tannins and the decadently ripe, dark fruits and espresso-filled finish. 92-94 Pts
2017 Couvent des Jacobins – Juicy and fresh with dark red fruits, flowers in its spicy personality, the tannins are soft, the character is forward and the finish is on the bright red berry side. The wine is made from blending 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Croix de Labrie – Succulent textures, sweet, ripe, black cherry, plum, anisette and chocolate are all over the place. The wine is supple, fat, fresh, weighty and long. Made from 100% Merlot, this delight marks the debut of Hubert de Bouard as consultant for Croix de Labrie. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Les Hauts de Croix de Labrie – Medium bodied, forward and on the fresh side with plummy fruits and hints of licorice, this wine is great for early drinking and kind of a little miracle as the estate suffered damage to 80% of their vineyard. 88 – 90 Pts
2017 Croix de Labrie Blanc – Mouthwatering crispiness, perfectly ripe citrus with white peach, roses and honeysuckle, this wine has an enticing amount of amatory acidity. The wine was made from a blend of 60% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sauvignon Gris. 92 Pts
2017 Croque Michotte – Unfortunately, most of this year’s grapes were damaged by the frost. All that could be salvaged to vinify was fruit from the second generation, which produced a light, tart effort but an effort nonetheless. 82-84 Pts
2017 Daugay – A soft, silky, fresh, easy drinking, medium-bodied charmer with a core of red fruits and a precise touch of minerality. Give it a year or two and it will be even better. 88 – 90 Pts
2017 Destieux – With just the right amount of licorice, ripe multicolored fruits and espresso beans to round things out, the wine is sweet and polished with salty tannins and a round textured finish. Give this just a few years and it will show even better. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Edmus – Medium bodied, floral and silky, the wine is fresh, ripe and dominated by its sweet, earthy, red cherry focus. This will be at its best in the first decade of life. 86 – 88 Pts
2017 Faugeres – Fleshy and plush, round and rich, this wine is sweet, fruity, forward and should be great close to its release. The wine was made from a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Figeac – The wine is richly textured, dark in color, showing purity of fruit with weight and density. Flowers, dark plums and black raspberry aromatics prevail with an extra nuance of licorice and wet earth. Everything here comes alive with a bit of coaxing. Full-bodied, the wine offers its fruit without much effort. There is length, freshness and soft polished textures in the finish. The wine was made from a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, reaching 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.66. Due to the frost yields were quite low this year, producing only 22 hectoliters per hectare. 95 – 97 Pts
2017 Fleur Cardinale – Due to heavy frost damage, only 1,000 numbered magnums were produced for this vintage. Blue-black dark with a faultlessly effective density of flavor, richness and length, the wine is round with impressive quantities of dark chocolate, licorice and juicy plums. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Fombrauge – Forward, soft, round and on the fresh side, this wine offers sweet, black cherries, licorice and dark chocolate. Made from a blend of 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, there is a bittersweet, cacao overtone floating in the juicy, red plum finish, adding more richness on the palate. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Fonplegade – Floral in nature, you’ll also find licorice, spice box, sandalwood and plummy aromatics on the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh with an intense mineral character. Once past the rocks and stones, the red fruits are sweet, bright, quite fresh and finesse driven. The finish is long with ripe, salty, red berries and plenty of verve. Made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.45. The harvest took place September 13 to September 29. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Fonroque – This medium-bodied wine starts out with sweet, ripe, red berries. Forward in style, the wine offers fruit on the palate but regrettably finishes short. 87 – 89 Pts
2017 Franc-Mayne – Not a lot of flesh here, yet it is soft, medium bodied with bright red fruits and sweetness. This should drink well upon or shortly after release. 88 – 90 Pts
2017 Godeau – Medium bodied with ripe black raspberries and crushed rock tones, the wine is soft, forward and should be pleasurable to drink with just a few years of age. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Gracia – The wine is dark in color and so is the fruit. The freshness is there, along with minerality. Round and with layers of depth, you also discover dark red fruits, licorice, espresso and cocoa in the finish. But it is going to be almost impossible to find. Due to the frost, less than 100 case of wine were produced this year. The wine was made from a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Grand Mayne – This is a sweet, soft, polished, medium-bodied wine. Forward with bright cherries and black raspberries, licorice and just a hint of espresso, the tannins are soft and the finish has a bright, plummy appeal. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Grand Pontet – Flowers, earth, thyme and coffee bean form the character here. On the palate the wine is round, soft and polished, leaving you with a sweet, juicy, fruity finish. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Haut-Sarpe – Spicy red fruits, crisp on the palate with licorice and red plums, this medium bodied wine is on the classic, tart side. Subsequent vintages have shown improvement. 86 – 88 Pts
2017 Haut Veyrac – Medium bodied, not quite strict but firm in a classic sense, the wine is quite fresh with a licorice and strawberry leaning. Made from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, this will need time to soften and develop. 86 – 88 Pts
2017 Haut Brisson – With a good depth of color, the wine is round, the textures are soft, the fruit has ripeness and in the finish you’ll find sweet cherries, licorice and freshness at its core. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Jean Voisin – Medium bodied, soft, gentle, weightless red fruits and licorice inflections are already easy to enjoy. Quite forward in nature, you can drink this silky wine on release. 87 – 89 Pts
2017 Jean Faure – Flowers and stone along with herbs, spice and red fruits combine to create a medium bodied, crisp, classic red berry-focused wine. 88 – 90 Pts
2017 La Chapelle-Lescours – A lighter style of red berry dominated wine, soft in texture and forward, this is made for early drinking consumption. 85 – 87 Pts
2017 La Fleur Morange Mathilde – Round, soft, sweet with fruits on all sides of the plummy range, this medium/full-bodied wine with espresso, smoke, licorice and dark cherries keeps you pleasantly engaged right down to the endnote. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 La Clotte – Black raspberry, plum and vanilla scents open the perfume. Soft, silky and filled with juicy, ripe plums, licorice and dark cherries, there is freshness and flesh here. The wine was produced from 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 La Confession – Licorice, wet earth, espresso bean and dark, smoky cherries are front and center. It is a touch oaky on the mouth but redeemed with loads of ripe, red fruits, licorice and salty tannins. Allow a few years for the oak to further integrate and this beauty will come together nicely. The wine was made from a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Due to the frost and a more stringent selection of fruit, close to 70% of the harvest was lost this year. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 La Couspaude – Dark ruby in color with cocoa, licorice, espresso and black raspberry fruits on the nose and on the palate, the wine has flesh, sweetness, round textures and a melange of plums, licorice and coffee in the finish. Incidentally, La Couspaude was the first wine to release their 2017 to the Bordeaux negociants, kicking off the campaign. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 La Dominique – Flowers, cherries, licorice, incense and soft, silky textures define the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, silky, charming and ending with fresh dark cherry and licorice in the finish. Made from blending 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The harvest took place September 15-September 29. The wine reached 13% alcohol. Due to the frost, 70% of the harvest was lost. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 La Gaffeliere – You’ll find the stony nature in the wine before moving to the lush, ripe, dark red fruits, licorice and espresso notes. Full bodied and lush, this is tasty now and it is going to be more tasty with six to eight years of bottle age. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 La Marzelle – Showing good color, the wine is ripe, fleshy, rich and sweet,. Loads of licorice and black cherry are all over the place. The wine is supple, fresh and will be ready to go early in its life. This is another hot property that keeps getting better and still sells for a fair price. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 La Mondotte – Darkly tinted with purple accents, evocations of blackberry liqueur, flowers, licorice, smoke and coffee, the wine is full bodied, concentrated, lush, deep and mouth-filling. There is richness, length and salty tannins. Give this 10-15 of years of age to develop. Blending 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH 3.5. The harvest took place September 14 – September 29. 96 – 98 Pts
2017 La Serre – Fruity in a classic sense, the wine is sharp, ripe, medium bodied and mineral driven. Give it a few years to come together and it should be a nicely enhanced wine. 87 – 89 Pts
2017 La Tour du Pin Figeac – Round, sweet and juicy, there is body and verve with juicy, robust plums, spice and licorice in a soft, medium-bodied finish. The wine is forward, making its supple character easy to like on release. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Laforge – Smoke, licorice and dark red berries are at the core of the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, fresh, sweet, soft and just a bit spicy. Give this just a few years and it should be showing quite well. The wine was produced from blending 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Due to the frost, production is down by 30% here this year. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Laniote – A medium bodied, forward, early drinking wine with herbs and olives and red fruits on the nose and on the palate. 84 – 86 Pts
2017 Larcis Ducasse – Flowers, crushed rocks and ripe, deep red fruits are found in abundance here. With silky textures, sweet maroon berries, earth, licorice and salty tannins, the wine offers concentration of flavor with cut and definition. The mineral character is profound in this vintage, therefore give it at least a decade to develop before popping a cork. The wine was made from blending 92% Merlot with 8% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14% alcohol. The harvest took place September 18 to October 2. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Laroque – Showing a dark hue, the wine opens with a strong mineral sensation, along with licorice, blackberries and dark chocolate. Medium/full bodied, the wine is sweet, elegant and fresh. The saltiness in the finish complements the dark red fruits and thyme throughout the endnote and there is a vibrancy and spicy quality to the fruits that is palpable in the finish. The wine was made with 99% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.54 alcohol with a pH of 3.48. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Le Carre – Deep red cherries, smoke, wood and a touch of wild strawberry create the perfume. Crafted from 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine is soft, forward, fresh and fruity. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Le Dome – Intense in color with lush, polished textures, the wine pops with flowers, plums, herbs and black raspberries. Full bodied and concentrated, there is a freshness and a solid fruitiness right through to the finish. Created from a blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Le Chatelet – A fruity, forward, early drinking, medium-bodied wine with a strong leafy olive component that rides along with the bright red fruits. 83 – 85 Pts
2017 Le Prieure – Lushly textured, deep red fruits, licorice, cocoa, flowers and stone create the maquillage. The tannins are soft, polished and round, the garden-fresh fruit is quick to exhibit a sweetness. And in the finish, there is an interesting touch of salt in the tannins that compliments the ripe, red berries. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Les Grandes Murailles – Truffle, chocolate, plum and leafy notes on the nose lead to a medium bodied, polished, fresh wine. You’ll find dark plummy, round fruits, silky tannins and a touch of oak on the back end. The wine is made from 100% old vine Merlot, reaching 14.4% alcohol. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Lif – Truffle, licorice and ripe black cherries command your attention immediately. On the palate, the wine is supple in texture with a profundity of fruit and glossy, silk tannins that are impossible to overlook. With a touch of jam in the back note. Everything is in balance from the start all the way through to the plum, vanilla, chocolate and boysenberry filled finish. This is quite an accomplishment for the vintage. The wine is made from blending 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.51. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Louis – Dark in color with a ripe, dark chocolate, plum and cherry character profile, you also find ample lift, with a kiss of oak in the finish. 88 – 90 Pts
2017 Lucia – Round, lush and open, the wine is all about its ripe, sweet, forward, soft ripe, black cherries, chocolate, espresso and licorice. If you like them young, this is a wine you can enjoy in its adolescence. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Lynsolence – This intrepid estate was heavily ravaged by frost, losing 30% of their crop, yet they managed to produce a deeply colored, medium-bodied wine with sweetness, chocolate, licorice and fresh black cherries. It’s 100% Merlot. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 MagrezFombrauge – Inky in color with licorice, black cherry, black raspberry and smoky notes on the nose, this wine is full-bodied, fleshy, round, soft and polished. There is freshness and volume on the palate along with a healthy dose of oak. This is not for drinking in its formative years, because when it all comes together, this will be a markedly better wine as the oak integrates. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Mangot – Sweet, elegant, fresh and focused on its ripe, cherry, plum and licorice tones, the wine is forward and fruity with just a hint of chocolate on the back end. This will be delicious on release. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Mangot Todeschini – Medium bodied with ripe, sweet cherries, underbrush and licorice, the wine is delectable and fresh. Drink this ten to 12 years after the vintage. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Monbousquet – Incense, red cherries, thyme and smoke open the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, full, velvety, polished and forward. The fruit is bright and you sense true freshness. The percentage of new oak has dropped to 50%, placing the fruit center stage. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Monbousquet Blanc – Blending 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sauvignon Gris, 5% Semillon and 5% Muscadelle create a lively vintage with lemon rind, grapefruit and floral notes. This bright, refreshing wine finishes up crisp with a pod of vanilla bean rappelling through the yellow citrus. 91 Pts
2017 Montlabert – Medium bodied with loads of dark cherry, licorice, cocoa and coffee notes, the wine is soft, sweet and will drink well within just a year or two of release. 88 – 90 Pts
2017 Moulin Saint Georges – Kirsch, flowers, vanilla and plum notes create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is round, soft and fruity. The tannins are gentle, allowing you to focus attention on the sweet, juicy finish. 80% percent Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc create the blend. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 du Parc – Medium bodied with a delicate, plummy character and licorice, espresso and floral accents, this is soft, forward and made for early drinking delight. 86 – 88 Pts
2017 Pavie – Floral notes emerge from the deep garnet colored wine. Full-bodied, intense, deep, sweet and podgy, this wine is a tsunami of tannin and slate with layers of deep, ripe fruits that will demand aging. Made from a blend of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14.6% with a pH of 3.61 and the harvest took place September 25 to October 3. 96 – 98 Pts
2017 Aromes de Pavie – With a distinct resemblance to its big brother, this second wine of Pavie reveals structure, ripe fruits and spice. You’ll find olives, plums and herbs emanating from the back end of this medium-bodied, approachable wine. This will be ready to drink upon release. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Pavie Decesse – Dark, dusky fruits drenched in pastis, the powdered remains of star anise and a pot of homemade jam create this attention-seeking perfume. Plush, powerful and concentrated, the fruit is ripe, sweet and has a jazz movement on the backend. The finish is fresh, fruity and piquant. Made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.53. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Pavie Macquin – Delicate, soft, skillfully shaped tannins and mature, dark fruit proffer sweetness and lift at the core of this year’s presentation. Full bodied, lush and polished with juicy fruit characteristics, length and complexity, the vintage is about stylish refinement, vibrancy and purity of fruit. Produced from 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14% alcohol. The harvest took place September 20 to October 9. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Peby Faugeres – Darkness becomes this inky creation not only in color but also in the black cherry, smoke, espresso, wet earth and dark chocolate essences, which define its charisma. The wine is fat, fertile, swanky and sweet. Powerful, long and intense, pure and precocious, simply stated, this wine rocks! The wine was produced using 100% old vine Merlot. 94 – 96 Pts
2017 Le Merle de Peby Faugeres – With licorice scents and black cherry on the front end, this wine is all smooth lambskin textures and quite alluring with a red cherry and citrus orientation. There is a touch of cocoa and licorice on the back end, which adds an intriguing bit of pillow talk. This is the second wine of Peby Faugeres, produced from its own blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 88-90 Pts
2017 Petit Faurie deSoutard – Licorice, black cherry and soft textures create the character in this fresh, fruity, medium-bodied wine. Endowed with lift and verve, they lost close to 40% of their crop to frost. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Pierre de Lune – With an oaky presence the wine is round, supple, ripe and polished, making it easy to drink on release, so you can enjoy its lush fruity charms early. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Poesia – Licorice, espresso, plum and dark chocolate open on the nose. There is a cleanness with soft tannins, thirst-quenching red plums and cassis in the finish. The wine is smooth, polished, elongated and quite fresh. Made from blending 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 de Pressac – Spice, underbrush, licorice and red fruits create the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, soft, bright and fresh. There is a fiery vivacity to the red fruit. With a fitting depth of color, this wine offers extra polish. One of the 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Puy-Blanquet – The flower shop notes are the first thing you’ll notice before moving to the bright, fresh, crisp, soft, lively red fruits and thyme on the palate. 86 – 88 Pts
2017 Quinault LEnclos – Licorice, coffee bean, espresso, cocoa and fresh kirsch form the core of the wine. Medium bodied and bright but still a bit oaky, there is enough fruit to bring it all together with three to five years in the bottle. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Quintus – Spicy rubicund fruits with a dash of mint, licorice and black cherry open the perfume. The wine is dignified and energetic. There is a wholesomeness of fruit, a sweet cherry spirit and an emphasis on the finesse styled character. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Quintus Le Dragon de Quintus – Medium bodied, soft, forward and charming with sweet, red cherry fruits, this is elegance in a glass. 87 – 89 Pts
2017 Ripeau – Showing intense color, the wine pops with layers of fleshy, soft, dark plums, damp licorice and creamy tannins. There is body and richness here with loads of deep, concentrated fruit in the finish. The new owners are spending with no end in sight to make the best wine possible here. This is a property to watch. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Roc de Boisseaux – Light, sweet, red fruits, medium bodied, soft and charming, this wine is perfect for present-day easy drinking and silky pleasure. 86 – 88 Pts
2017 Rocheyron – Lilies, dark cocoa, truffle and juicy, black plum notes pop right from the glass. On the palate, the wine is rich, sweet and round. Inky ruby with purple accents in color, the wine offers a tannic backbone, which requires time in the cellar to clarify the freshness in the lush, fruity character. Like many establishments this year, close to 50% of the vineyard was devastated by the frost. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Rol Valentin – Fresh picked raspberries, cherries and strawberries combine with licorice and espresso to produce an elegant expression here. The wine is soft, medium bodied and will be easy to drink upon release. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Saint-Georges-Cote-Pavie – Medium bodied with elements of smoke, licorice, red fruits and coffee bean, the wine is soft, sweet and approachable. You should drink this in its first decade of life. 86 – 88 Pts
2017 Sanctus – Lush and round textured, there is licorice, plum, smoke, black cherry and dark chocolate here. The wine is fleshy with a sweet, juicy, fruity finish. This will be quite pleasurable to taste on release. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 Sansonnet – Produced from a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, this wine rocks! It is more than the flowers, layers of ripe, lush fruits, black cherries, espresso and licorice. The wine is fleshy, flashy and already delicious. One of the hottest tickets in St. Emilion these days, this is a great style of wine, that still sells for about a song. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Saintayme – Red fruits with a hint of earth and citrus on the front end. In the middle, you have a medium-bodied palate that offers spicy, red fruits, cocoa and another dash of that entertaining citrus in the finish. This forward wine was produced with 100% Merlot. You can enjoy this early in life. 88 – 90 Pts
2017 Soutard – Fennel, cherry and cocoa aromas blend with luscious, red fruits, soft but present tannins and a crisp, bright, red berry finish. 89 – 91 Pts
2017 SoutardCadet – Inky dark in color, this is lush, fat, rich and supple. The fruit is ripe, deep, fleshy and there is length in the fruity finish. The wine was made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 91 – 93 Pts
2017 Tertre Roteboeuf – A surprise of spearmint mixed with dewy soil, thyme, coffee and black cherries bring out the perfume. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, aristocratic and finesse driven. The fruit is vibrant and there is a nectarous interlude in the mid-palate, coupled with a silky finish that focuses on the purity in the fruits over power. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Teyssier – Medium bodied, forward, and already open, the wine delivers an easy drinking, warm, red berry profile with soft textures and rosy fruits in the finish. The wine was produced from blending 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Due to that vicious frost, a large portion of the vineyard was lost. 87 – 89 Pts
2017 Tour Saint Christophe – Caliginous in color, the wine is full bodied, concentrated, intense, fortified and satisfying. There is good flesh, freshness and length. Limber with crispy red fruits, cocoa, espresso, licorice and a boundless finish, the wine is made from blending 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 14.3% alcohol. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Troplong Mondot – Licorice, smoke, black cherry, plum and crushed rocks create the nose. On the palate, the wine is full bodied, sweetly authentic and luxuriously textured. There is more virtue in the fruit but less density and lower alcohol than in previous vintages. The wine shows more influence from the limestone, instead of the clay. This dramatic change in style is a matter of choice by the new director, Aymeric de Gironde who is seeking more aromatic complexity and balance over power and ripeness in the wine. The wine was produced from a blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.2% alcohol. The harvest took place September 18, finishing September 27. 94 – 96 Pts
2017 Trotte Vielle – Elegant, soft, fresh and refined, there is an energy to the medium/full bodied layers of black cherries that stands out. Made from a blend of 56% Cabernet Franc, 43% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine offers a distinctive note of flowers, red berries, espresso and forest notes. The slightly higher percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend is due to the damage from the frost. 90-92 Pts
2017 Valandraud – Subaqueous in color, the wine effortlessly performs an aromatic dance of black cherry, plum, licorice and vanilla. Round, soft and plush, the wine is full bodied, concentrated, fleshy and tannic. Give this five to seven years for everything to percolate. 93 – 95 Pts
2017 Valandraud Blanc – A skyrocket of lemon, pineapple and vanilla bean soars in the background and hits the target. Juicy and fresh, this vibrant wine is ready to go. 90 Pts
2017 Virginie de Valandraud – Forward, softly textured and juicy, you’ll find smoke, licorice and strong espresso notes, which add to the wine’s nuances. You can drink this young. 87 – 89 Pts
2017 Vieux Chateau Mazerat – Dark red fruits meld with licorice, forest, espresso bean and smoky vanilla bean, all readily rising to the surface. This wine is on the elegant side with leafy, floral nuances and a touch of sea salt in the tannins. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 Vignobles Rollet A Capella – A new discovery for me — this wine rocks! It’s rich, fat, dense, lush and loaded with dark chocolate-covered black and blue fruits. Concentrated with layers of fat, ripe, sweet, fruits, the wine is low in acid, plush, mouth filling and superb. 92 – 94 Pts
2017 Villemaurine – From a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the wine is fresh, supple, sweet, and loaded with spicy dark cocoa, licorice and plums. There is a nice complexity in the salty tannins you find in the finish. 90 – 92 Pts
2017 La Voute – Sweet and round with an interest-piquing blend of chocolate, plum, licorice and dark cherries, the wine is soft, sweet and forward. There is an agreeable texture and sweetness to the fruit. Another new discover for me this year, Michel Rolland is the consultant. The vineyards are located close to Valandraud and Fleur Cardinale. It will be interesting to see who the wine and subsequent vintages develop. 90 – 92 Pts
We’re getting close to the end of our 2017 Bordeaux reports. We will be all wrapped up in a day or two. Tomorrow we’ll publish notes and scores for the all the best 2017 Bordeaux value wines.
