2018 Château Tronquoy-Lalande

The sibling property of Chateau Montrose, Tronquoy-Lalande has a bit more clay in its soil profile and is more inland than Montrose, perched on the hilltop. The 2018 Tronquoy-Lalande is composed of 51% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with vibrant scents of baked black cherries, mulberries and plum preserves, plus suggestions of spice cake, Sichuan pepper, tobacco leaf and menthol. The full-bodied palate is jam-packed with juicy, black fruit layers, supported by ripe grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long with a peppery kick.

Tasted blind. Rich, exotic, spicy nose – almost Mouton-like! Masses packed in here: fruit, tannin and character. Set for a very long life. Long and with masses of ingredients bursting out at the seams. Though it will need lots of time.

The 2018 Tronquoy-Lalande is powerful and also inviting, with layers of dark-toned fruit that envelop the palate. Blackberry, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice, scorched earth and leather all flesh out in the glass. As it was from barrel, Tronquoy is a dark, somber wine. It has enough sheer richness to develop well for another 10-15 years, maybe more.