2016 Francs - Les Cerisiers

Deeply ripe dark berries with a fragrant, violet note and chalky, stony notes, too. There’s a very plush and cool-fruited feel to the palate, as well as a freshness of fruit and tannins to close it out in style. A blend of 90 per cent merlot and ten per cent cabernet sauvignon. Try from 2023.

The 2016 de Francs Les Cerisiers is very beautiful in this vintage. Bright red stone fruit and expressive floral notes give the Cerisiers a level of finesse I don't recall seeing previously. Blood orange and crushed red berry fruit add nuance to this understated, absolutely delicious Côtes de Francs from proprietors Hubert De Boüard and Dominique Hebrard.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Les Cerisiers has classic cigar box, warm plums and cassis scents with wafts of new leather and bay leaves. Medium-bodied with a firm line of chewy tannins, it delivers just enough expressive fruit in the mouth and an herbal lift on the finish.