Chateau Couhins 2023

Herbal and red-fruit aromas, rose tea, milk chocolate; a firm, grippy palate, slightly powdery tannins, a fine bitterness on the finish. Leaner than before.

Herbaceous and red fruit aromas introduce a rather austere palate that lacks the depth required to achieve a higher score. Maybe ageing in 40% new oak will fill some of the mid-palate, but it’s a disappointing sample.

Bright red fruits, orange rind, flowers, tobacco and espresso form the character here. The medium-bodied palate is forward, round, and fresh, with black cherries, peppery spice, dark chocolate, and espresso from the mid-palate, through to the savory-edged, mildly chewy, spicy finish. The wine blends 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2027-2039.

Inky colour, brambled autumnal fruits, pretty intense overall. This is good quality, with plenty of appellation typicity, and a clear step up from recent vintages at this estate. Alix Bern is the winemaker, from the Savoie region. 33% new oak for ageing.

Score: 90–92. A sanguine edge, with almost ferrous notes, and aromas of wild blackberry and blueberry contribute to a bouquet that is still a touch austere. The palate shows more vibrant, fleshy, juicy fruit. The tannins carry the fresh substance through to the finish, with a faintly velvety grain.