2015 Grand Corbin Despagne

75% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested 17–29 September 2015. Maceration: 25 days in concrete and stainless steel. Fermentation: 8 days in concrete and stainless steel. Aged 14 months in barrel, 50% new, 40% second use, 10% third use. Bottled April 2017. RS 2.1 g/l, TA 3.45 g/l (expressed as sulphuric), pH 3.52. Inviting perfume thanks to that 24% Cabernet Franc, I imagine. Pencil shavings, dark-red fruit, with the beginning of cigar box and sweet tobacco. Still really well structured; perfect now but no rush. This has harmony and balance to a tee. (JH)