2017 Tour Maillet
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Tour Maillet is just as exciting from bottle as it was from barrel. Super-ripe red cherry, cedar, tobacco, menthol, dried flowers and licorice give the 2017 its decidedly flamboyant character. Readers will find a racy, opulent Pomerol that will drink well right out of the gate.
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Average Score
James Suckling
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Tour Maillet rolls out of the glass with uncomplicated plum preserves, spice cake and pencil shavings scents plus a waft of garrigue. The medium-bodied palate offers a good amount of straight-up black fruit with a light chewiness to the texture and an herbal lift to the finish.
I loved the 2017 Chateau Tour Maillet (Lagardere) from barrel two years ago, and it's showing beautifully now from bottle. Lots of plum and black cherry fruit as well as licorice, earth, and roasted herb notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, nicely textured Pomerol that has sweet fruit, a rounded texture, moderate tannins, and outstanding length. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following decade or more.
The 2017 Tour Maillet offers tightly knit blackberry and black plum notes on the nose, nicely focused but it needs to just loosen up during the élevage and develop more generosity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, and pretty red fruit that are nicely rounded in texture and a soft landing on the finish. Just a lovely Pomerol, no more, no less.