2017 Couhins-Lurton

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Couhins-Lurton reveals black raspberries, mulberries and blackcurrant scents with wafts of mossy tree bark and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate has lovely vitality and freshness with a racy line and a stewed tea finish.

The 2017 Chateau Couhins-Lurton is a solid effort that does beautifully in the vintage. Revealing a deep ruby/purple hue as well as classic Graves notes of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, spice, and ample earthy minerality, it hits the palate with beautiful fruit, medium body, ripe, present tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It's well worth purchasing and I suspect will evolve for at least a decade.

100% Sauvignon Blanc, 10 months in barrel with lees stirring. Very little aroma right now. On the palate, tight, zippy unadulterated citrus. Simple but very fresh and the oak does not seem to have added much depth to balance the high acidity. (JH)