2017 Le Thil (Comte Clary)
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Tasting notes
From vines just beside the estate of Smith Haut Lafitte, the 2017 Chateau Le Thil is a Merlot-dominated blend (there’s 5% Cabernet Franc) that sports a vivid ruby/purple hue as well as outstanding cassis and black cherry fruits intermixed with plenty of chocolate and earthy minerality. Medium to full-bodied, with a ripe, mouthfilling, powerful style, it’s a terrific Pessac-Leognan to enjoy over the coming 10-12 years.
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Neal Martin
Jeb Dunnuck
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The 2017 Le Thil is the first vintage to include Cabernet Franc from a sélection massale (like the 2017 Pensées de Lafleur funnily enough!) It has a clean, fresh, slightly minty bouquet that is nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, clean and quite mineral-driven black fruit with a touch of chalkiness towards the finish. This has good tension and depth, a fine and surprisingly detailed Le Thil that I can envisage being drinkable after a year in bottle.
The 2017 Le Thil is wonderfully juicy and pliant. The dark red cherry and plum fruit is nicely pushed forward in this super-attractive, plush Pessac-Léognan. Sweet tobacco and floral notes add lift on the aromatically expressive, silky finish. This is the first vintage that includes a dollop of Cabernet Franc. The 2017 is very nicely done. The blend is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Composed of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 le Thil has an earthy nose of truffles, tilled soil and tar with a core of black currants, mulberries and wood smoke plus a waft of charcuterie. The palate is medium-bodied with good mid-palate density and plenty of juicy fruit layers, framed by plush tannins and lovely freshness, finishing earthy.