2023 Ch. Tronquoy

A brilliant effort from this château, the 2023 Château Tronquoy sports a deep purple hue as well as classic cassis and darker, almost blue fruits intermixed with leafy herbs, tobacco, damp earth, and floral nuances. Based on 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 11% Petit Verdot from the estate's Terrace No. 03 with gravelly sands over a clay-gravel matrix and aged 12 months in 30% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied, round, supple, and layered, with a beautiful core of sweet fruit and a rare opulence for the 2023 vintage. It's going to shine for 30 years if well stored and is a brilliant buy in the vintage. Drink 2027-2055.

The 2023 Tronquoy is terrific. Bold, rich and explosive, the 2023 offers up an exciting mélange of black cherry, chocolate, new leather, licorice and incense. This virile Saint-Estèphe packs a pretty serious punch. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot that make up most of the blend speak in somewhat brash tones. I would give the 2023 a few years to soften.

Quite floral in nature, you also find licorice, tobacco, cedar, and red fruits in the attractive perfume. On the palate, the wine is equal to the nose with its layers of soft, ripe, sweet, round, and supple fruits that linger. This is showing much better in the bottle than it did in barrel, which is always a good sign. You can enjoy this just about on release. But it is only going to get better with a few more years in the bottle. The wine blends 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 11% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2027-2040.