Château Desmirail 2017

Elegant and balanced, with an almost silky character, true to its style and to the image of the vintage; its freshness and charm can be enjoyed quite soon.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Desmirail features woody/oaky notions to start, opening out to reveal Black Forest cake, blackcurrant cordial and forest floor scents with a waft of Marmite toast. Medium-bodied, the palate is quite chewy with notable oak and just enough fruit, finishing a tad firm and abrupt.

Fresh damson plum and cherry purée flavors show good energy but remain on the elegant side, inlaid with light alder, lilac and iron notes. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2025. 3,333 cases made.

Toasty nose with hints of mocha and vanilla, ripe blackcurrant aromas and smoky nuances. Rich and intense on the palate, with great structure.

A polished, structured red with currant, wet-earth and shiitake mushroom character. Medium body. Chewy finish. Shows structure and focus. Needs two or three years to soften. Drink after 2021.

Medium-bodied, floral and on the bright, crisp side of the red-fruit spectrum, with soft tannins, giving you a Margaux for early drinking pleasure.

Kunz barrel sample 18: velvety, fruity, sweet bouquet, blackberries, nougat, wood. Firm, hard palate with slight fruit, sandy tannins, little aromatics, dry finish.

Delicate, fruity, sweet bouquet with blackberry, nougat, and wood. Firm, robust palate with light fruit, sandy tannins, restrained aromatics, and a dry finish. 16/20 2024 - 2032

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Desmirail is pale to medium garnet-purple in color. It needs a little coaxing to uncover notes of redcurrant jelly, warm plums, and boysenberries with wafts of dried Provence herbs and tree bark. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright and crunchy with plenty of red berry layers and an approachable, grainy texture, finishing long and refreshing.

The 2017 remains gentle, quite delicate, and is already approachable, in a supple style.

Fresh wine, a bit firm, with a vegetal note, tight tannins, and a long finish.

Bouquet marked by oak with notes of vanilla and clove. Notes of chocolate and caramel. The palate reveals roasted notes, a touch of sweetness and little density.

Fruity, pleasant, and light wine.

87–89. Barrel Sample. The flavor of new wood is strong in this wine. It has a tough structure and the merest hints of fruit. It should fill out once the overbearing wood has gone. Drink from 2024.