Château Lalande Borie - Saint-Julien 2017 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Le Point

14 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits noirs, mûre, charnu, bien fruité, petits tanins, poivré en note finale.

Jeb DUNNUCK

87-89 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

From the terrific team at Ducru-Beaucaillou, the 2017 Château Lalande-Borie checks in as a blend of 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 30% new oak. It’s a downright pretty, elegant Saint-Julien that has a silky, soft, pure character to go with a floral, spice-laden bouquet. It’s not a powerhouse, with medium body and moderate concentration, yet it’s impeccably balanced and will keep for a over a decade.

Vinifera

92 / 100

byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018

Nez au profil crémeux et fruité et d’une belle intensité. L’entrée en bouche est souple avec une agréable douceur tactile qui offre un raffinement aromatique et une structure finement articulée. Tanin fruité, bien enrobé qui termine sur une finale équilibrée. À nouveau un joli rapport prix/plaisir.

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

On the fresh side, the fruit melts in your mouth with accents of cocoa and black cherries delivered in a round, open and accessible style. This medium-bodied charmer is ready to go.

Vinous

89-91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Lalande-Borie, which was created by Jean-Eugène Borie in 1970, is matured in 30% new oak for 12 months. It has a well-defined bouquet with slightly broody dark fruit that need some encouragement from the glass. Here there is a majority of red rather than black fruit, complemented by bay leaf and a touch of truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, crisp acidity, very focused with tangible mineralité that surfaces on the final third of the wine. Good potential. I like the sapid nature of this wine and it should drink well over the next decade.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

Bruno Borie mentioned that there was a little frost on the western part of Saint-Julien here. A blend of 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium garnet-purple colored 2017 Lalande-Borie has a beautiful nose of red roses, dusty soil and powdered cinnamon with a core of red currants, black cherries and kirsch plus a touch of warm plums. The palate is medium-bodied with a chewy frame and lively backbone supporting the muscular fruit, finishing savory and with great persistence. To be aged for 12 months in barrel, in one-third new oak.

Decanter.com

87 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

50% frost here, but the wine seems remarkably unscathed. They harvested the second generation fruit, but didn't use it in the blend, which is in fact the same as usual but just in lesser quantities. The result is a soft but well-rounded and finessed wine with black cherry fruit and charcoal and vanilla bean notes. A good job here - an early drinking pleasure. 3.75pH. 30% new oak.

Drinking Window 2022 - 2032

Wine Enthusiast

91-93 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

Reduced quantities due to frost have added some concentration and certainly brought out fine, elegant tannins. The black fruit flavors are warm, rich and generous backed by a solid structure to balance the ripe fruit.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

A firm and tight center palate with dark berry, currant, and mint character. Full body, layered and flavorful. Shows a solid mid-palate.

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

Warm in feel, with plum and blackberry compote notes backed by charcoal and tobacco accents. Shows a lot of range, but also solid flesh and depth.—J.M.