Château La Vieille Cure - Fronsac 2017

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/17/2020

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 La Vieille Cure comes bounding out of the glass with bold baked plums, Black forest cake and licorice scents followed by hints of garrigue, roses and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate packs in the black fruit layers with a firm, grainy frame and spicy kick to the finish. Drinking Window : 2020 - 2030

Vinous

90 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe3/11/2020

The 2017 La Vieille Cure is dark and sumptuous in the glass. Blackberry jam, chocolate, new leather, cloves and sweet oak are all kicked up in a rich, heady Fronsac that will drink well for another 7-10 years, maybe more. This is an especially lush, flamboyant style, as always, and it works beautifully. Tasted two times.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/7/2020

This is packed with plum and blackberry compote flavors, supported by graphite and smoldering tobacco notes. Everything melds through the solidly structured and toasty finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2030. 4,041 cases made. — JM

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/13/2020

An utterly delicious red with crushed berries, cappuccino and hints of black olives. Medium-bodied, compact and very soft. Really creamy texture. A blend of 75% merlot, 22% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon. Hard not to drink now. So do it!

Le Point

13,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits noirs, boisé, bouche en prise de bois, serré, le bois domine le vin, dommage, c’est plutôt assez fin derrière. Dommage que l’échantillon soit prélevé sur une barrique neuve.

Jeb DUNNUCK

89-91 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

Always a great value, the 2017 Château la Vieille Cure is an impressive 2017 that has the medium-bodied, elegant, balanced style of the vintage front and center. Classic notes of dark fruits, scorched earth, and graphite all emerge from this nicely concentrated Fronsac that should end up being an outstanding wine. 89-91+

The Wine Cellar Insider

89-91 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

Dark, chocolate-coverednred fruits, licorice and toasty oak, along with soft, round, corpulent textures, this will be easy to drink on release.

Vinous

86-88 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 Vieille Cure has a tightly-packed black cherry and cassis scented bouquet that feels as if it could be more intense once in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied with a candied, pastille-like opening: blackcurrant, crème de cassis and vanilla, lower in acidity than its Fronsac peers but smooth as silk towards the finish.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

The 2017 La Vieille Cure is deep garnet-purple and intensely scented of cassis, baked plums and mulberries with touches of cedar chest, baking spices and hoisin. Medium-bodied, firm and packed with plums and spicy layers, it finishes long and chewy.

WeinWisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018

Jean-Marc QUARIN

15 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

89-91 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

This wine's generous black fruit flavors are rich and smoothly textured. It is firmly structured, with a solid backdrop of tannins, but there is an opulent richness that comes from the Merlot in the blend. Drink from 2020.

Jamessuckling.com

89-90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

Very pretty wine for the vintage with dark-berry, chocolate character and tightly woven tannins. Lovely center palate. Impressive for the vintage,

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018

Nicely done, with dark currant and plum fruit and focused, racy streaks of charcoal and tobacco. Shows good grip and depth for the vintage.—J.M.