The Wine Cellar Insider
byJeff Levethe4/23/2019
Deep garnet in color, this wine exudes a dark, black cherry core of fruits. Next, the perfume reveals hints of smoke, flowers, thyme and cigar wrapper. On the palate, the wine is focused on silky tannins, elegant textures and depth of flavor. Fans of Brane Cantenac should know that even with this depth of fruit the wine is still dances lightly over the palate. I am not ready to pick a favorite from the 2015, 2016 and 2018 trio but it is going to be fun tasting and comparing those vintages over the next few decades! From a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.76. It represents 60% of the harvest, which took place from September 14 to October 10. The higher than usual percentage of the Grand Vin is due to the frost, which hit the areas of the vineyard customarily reserved for the second wine.