Chateau Le Crock 2023

Ripe-fruited, warm in expression, cool at the core, crisp fruit, finely woven tannins, herbal finish, can age.

Aromatic and floral with some milk chocolate and red cherries. Sleek and clean, with lovely purity and direction from start to finish. Crunchy and really charming, not too austere or too acidic; not especially layered either, but it feels like they struck a nice balance and got some easy charm out of this. Hints of liquorice, graphite and cedar add spice at the end as well as some tension throughout. 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 52.8 hl/ha. Cask sample. Ripe and sweet-fruited but fresh as well. Fine touch of tannin. Good if not spectacular St-Estèphe. Should be accessible relatively early. (JL)

Cedar, leafy herbs, mint, and red currants pop on the nose. Medium-bodied, the wine sits on the savory edge, with notes of leafy red currants at mid-palate, finishing with juicy fruit and soft tannins, and a nice spicy, fresh note that appears at the very end of the finish. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. 13.45% ABV. Le Crock is in the process of converting to organic farming, expecting certification for the 2025 vintage. Drink from 2026–2040. 91–93 pts.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Herbs, dark berries, a hint of liquorice, orange zest in the background. Medium body, red berries, fresh acidity, mineral, lively, offers uncomplicated drinking pleasure.

Sappy and cheerful, bright ruby-red fruit, well balanced with chewy tannins that promise plenty. Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in theory, although the new classification, which will confirm for 2023, is coming in January 2024. 25% new oak, final year of organic conversion, and yields of 52 hl/ha, so a particularly good crop. Harvest from September 8 to 29.

Score: 91–93. On the nose, a stony character mingles with pronounced notes of black and blue fruits. On the palate, the wine overflows with sweet blue fruits, lifted by a hint of cassis leaf, whose flavors carry through to a limpid, sapid finish.

On the nose, there is a slightly yeasty note at first, which disappears with aeration and gives way to a more spicy profile (liquorice, a hint of white pepper in the background, a touch of nutmeg, and a very subtle touch of vanilla). It also shows an elegant floral character (violet, wild rose), along with sappy notes and pine needles that emerge after aeration. The fruit on the nose is tangy, with black fruits taking the lead (Morello cherry, blackcurrant, black plum, blackberry in the background, plus a touch of tart red cherry). The palate is juicy, precise and firm, with a pleasant bitterness, lovely mouthwatering, fresh acidity, and a mentholated touch with dried mint on the finish. It reveals flavours of ripe, tangy fruit (Morello cherry, blackcurrant, red cherry, black plum), along with sweet spices (liquorice, nutmeg) and violet. The finish brings tension, though it remains only slightly dry and closed.

This is solid, with winery black currant and black cherry reduction notes that have good cut, thanks to chalky minerality. Violet, chestnut and tobacco notes help fuel the finish as the fruit keeps pace. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2027 through 2038. 11,100 cases made.