Potensac - Médoc 2023

Jeb DUNNUCK

92

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/31/2026

With roughly 13,500 cases produced, the 2023 Château Potensac is a Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc that spent 12 months in 20% new French oak. This is the first vintage where they used an optical and water bath sorting method, and it shows in its overall purity and elegance. Cassis, black cherries, leafy tobacco, and some mineral nuances all shine here, and it's medium-bodied, with a pure, layered, focused mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and integrated acidity. It's a beautiful, classic, elegant Potensac that will keep for a solid 30-40 years and will probably exceed the 1982. Drink 2028-2063.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93

byJeff Levethe3/30/2026

With a flowery edge to the perfume, you also find notes of black cherries, tobacco, and spices. The palate is vibrant, with layers of sweet, ripe, juicy cherries, black currants, chocolate, and savory herbs. The wine was produced from blending 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc.13.4% ABV. Drink from 2028-2045.

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe3/16/2026

The 2023 Potensac is every bit as compelling as it was en primeur. Dark cherry, blackberry, gravel, incense, licorice, graphite and dried herbs are amplified in the glass. This Cabernet-driven Haut-Médoc has a ton to offer, starting with its notable freshness and savory drive.

Vinous

89

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Potensac, which is not partially fermented in the stainless steel vats being used at Léoville Las-Cases, has quite a backward nose that needs time to open up: black fruit, briar, tobacco and light gravelly scents, needing a little more cohesion. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. Fresh and quite saline, there is a sharpness on the finish with hints of brine on the aftertaste. This will require a bit of time to really cohere, just a little raw at the moment.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Aromas of mulberries, blackberries, tobacco, cedar and herbs. Gentle yet expressive, with dark fruit throughout. Precise, fine grained tannins that will need some time to soften, but overall it’s cohesive and structured. 48% cabernet, 35% marlot and 17% cabernet franc. Should be approachable from 2028.

My Bettane + Desseauve

91

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Bonne finesse, matière souple mais très fruitée, avec ce qu’il faut d’energie et sans dureté dans le tannin. On recommande.

Yvesbeck.wine

92-94

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

2023 Der Cabernet Sauvignon übernimmt die Führung und wird zum Spitzenreiter des Jahrgangs. Natürlich kann er sich auch mit dem Merlot arrangieren ; der hilft die Ecken und Kanten ein wenig abzurunden. Die Noten von schwarzer Johannisbeere und Eukalyptus, gepaart mit einem Hauch von Graphit, kündigen einen authentischen Wein an! Das bestätigt sich auch am Gaumen, wo der Wein auf den ersten Blick überraschend zahm, aber auch elegant und harmonisch ist! Es gab schon kernigere Potensacs aber dieser hier verdient es, einen früheren Genusszeitpunkt anzudeuten. Das hindert ihn jedoch nicht daran, seine temperamentvolle Seite zu zeigen, indem er Sie anlächelt und dabei seine Zähne zeigt: Er ist halt doch ein Médocain!

Jeb DUNNUCK

90-92

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

Ripe redcurrants, cassis, graphite, and smoked tobacco as well as some floral notes all emerge from the 2023 Château Potensac, a medium-bodied, lively, beautifully balanced, Potensac that has fine tannins and the fresh yet focused, balanced style of the vintage.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Medium-bodied, with a floral edge to the red with black currants, tobacco, and savory herbs round out the character here, The wine is bright, sweet, savory, and crisp, in its chewy finish. The wine was produced from blending 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc.13.4% ABV. Drink from 2027-2045. 91-93 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

Concentrated and intense, fragrant spicy notes of green peppercorn, liqourice root, smoked earth, freshly cut herbs and black tea. Plenty of lift, a little serious and austere, but this is a well balanced and enjoyable wine. Harvest September 18 to 29, 20% new oak for ageing. No 2nd wine of Potensac since 2021, since they pulled out more than 20ha of vines to retain only the most high quality parts of the vineyard.

Vinous

91-93

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Potensac is a seriously beautiful wine that shows just how complex and nuanced wines from this property can be. Crushed flowers, spice, red/purplish fruit, rose petal and mint are some of the notes that lift from the glass. Bright saline tones underpin the mid-palate and finish. This is one of the most complete young Potensacs I can recall tasting.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Potensac has a well-defined nose: predominantly black fruit, with touches of seaweed in the background. I warm to it more with acquaintance, and it gradually coheres. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a fine line of acidity. Silky-smooth in texture, you can tell that there is some quality new oak on the finish, which is simpatico with the fruit. It's a good, solid Potensac that will require three or four years in bottle.

The Wine Independent

87-89

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/28/2024

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Potensac zips out with vibrant notes of black raspberries, Bing cherries, and fresh blackcurrants plus suggestions of wild sage and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate has a lively line and delightful herbal sparks brightening the red berry flavors framed by lightly chewy tannins, finishing refreshing. The blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol is 13.4%.

Alexandre Ma

92-93

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Wine Advocate

89-91

byWilliam Kelleythe4/26/2024

The 2023 Potensac is a solid effort, offering up aromas of dark berries, cherries, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palate that's taut and penetrating, with good depth at the core.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

Beautiful dark fruit with purity and freshness. Medium- to full-bodied, seamless and compact. Outstanding quality of tannins, so fine and dense. It’s muscular and taut on the mid-palate. Lingering, too. Plenty of energy. Close to 2022.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe4/15/2024

Concentrated and intense, fragrant spicy notes of green peppercorn, liqourice root, smoked earth, freshly cut herbs and black tea. Plenty of lift, a little serious and austere, but this is a well balanced and enjoyable wine. Harvest Setepbmer 18 to 29, 20% new oak for ageing. No 2nd wine of Potensac since 2021, since they pulled out more than 20ha of vines to retain only the most high quality parts of the vineyard.