2017 Ferriere

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot . Blueish crimson. Sweet nose with a hint of mint. Rather charming with lift and fragrance. Only medium bodied but really nice balance. Clean, dry, appetising finish. Lightweight but not skinny. GV ? (JR)

The 2017 Ferrière has a deep garnet color. Surprisingly, the bouquet is driven by the oak at the moment, a trait that I rarely find with respect to this Margaux during en primeur, though the weather may have accentuated that at the time of my tasting. The palate is medium-bodied with densely packed black fruit laced with cedar and graphite. It is a solid Margaux, perhaps just missing the finesse of the 2016 and it needs to muster just a little more refinement once this is in bottle. If it does then you should have a fine Margaux on your hands.

Dark with black core. Inviting, pure-fruited aroma, without unwanted sweetness or intrusive oak. A little smoky/dusty in a good way. Dark and dusty on the palate too, lots of mineral character but no lack of fruit. Well-managed fine tannins to match the overall shape of the wine. Fresh and in balance. (JH)