2016 Les Trois Croix

The 2016 Les Trois Croix is blessed with a superb bouquet of vivacious red cherry and raspberry fruit laced with rose petal and graphite scents. The fresh palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, offering grippy tannin and a fine bead of acidity. The dense, solid finish suggests that this will require three or four years in bottle. A testament to Patrick Léon, who passed away the night before I tasted this wine.

The 2016 Les Trois Croix is rich, fruity and absolutely gorgeous. Rich red cherry and plum fruit is nicely pushed forward in this succulent, racy Fronsac. Floral overtones add brightness, but this remains a decidedly racy, flamboyant style. In a second tasting, the 2016 showed a bit more oak influence, but in both cases the wine was quite expressive and delicious. Tasted two times.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Les Trois Croix features notions of baked blackberries, Black Forest cake and licorice with touches of dried herbs and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with bright, precise black fruit and savory layers, framed by grainy tannins and finishing with a refreshing lift.