CHÂTEAU LABÉGORCE

The 2017 Labégorce was picked 15 September to 4 October and matured in 45% new oak. It has a perfumed bouquet with rose petal and violet aromas infusing the dark cherry and raspberry pastille notes. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine line of acidity. There is some vanillary oak to be subsumed during the élevage, wood tannins just lining the mouth on the aftertaste. But this is a finely made Margaux that should age well over the next 15 to 20 years. Drinking range: 2022 - 2040 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)

Deep cherry red with black core. Sweet-smelling cassis with an attractive dusty graphite overlay. Soft chalky tannins and not a huge amount of fruit on the palate but the tannins are light enough to keep the balance, though the finish is quite dry. Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 15.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2018)

Beginning with the 2009 vintage, Labégorce Zédé was folded into Labégorce, both of which are owned by the Perrodo family (as is the recently acquired Marquis d'Alesme). Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Labégorce gives pronounced black fruits, blackberries and black plums with suggestions of underbrush, lavender and bay leaves. The palate is medium-bodied, ripe, plump, juicy and expressive with plush tannins and good length. The current blend is 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Rating: 89-91 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Apr 2018)

An excellent Labegorce, full of rich black fruits, textured and layered. A great success in the vintage, with a mouthwatering delivery that holds itself with confidence. It's not hugely intense, as is often the case this year, but makes up for it with a poised delivery and firm, juicy tannins. Drinking range: 2025 - 2038 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)

The 2017 Château Labégorce checks in as 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot (which is slightly more than normal), 8% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot, aging in 45% new French oak. Its vibrant purple color is followed by a beautiful bouquet of crème de cassis, crushed flowers, classy oak, and graphite. With medium to full-bodied richness, an awesome texture, and ripe tannin, it’s up with the top wines from the appellation. Tasted twice. This is an estate readers need to have on their radar. Rating: 91-93 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)

A juicy and rich red with lots of fruit and wet-earth character. Medium to full body, ripe tannins and a fresh finish. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)

Fresh and lively, with red and black currant fruit gilded with lilac and sandalwood notes. A fresh mineral edge shows on the finish. Nicely rendered. Rating: 90-93 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)

Here we have a restrained and somewhat matchsticky nose, the fruit hidden behind some rather reductive characteristics, although I do get a little blackcurrant fruit coming through for a moment. It has a pretty palate, with a medium-body wrapped in a quite seamless texture at the start, a slightly loose middle, with a rather chalky character to the fruit which persists on the finish. It feels dry, grippy, well-wrapped in oak, quite light in substance though, with more grip than stuffing. It finishes quite short. Rating: 87-89 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2018)