Potensac 2015

One of Jean-Hubert Delon’s favourite tricks is to slip Potensac into blind tastings, such is its ageing potential. This is more forward than some recent vintages, with supple tannins, grassy fruit and well integrated tannins, but could still surprise a few people. Drink: 2020-25

Only 55% of fruit was used here for the Grand Vin which actually improved both this and the second wine. With high-density planting and soils like Saint-Estèphe this is a great terroir and with old vines (40 years old) this is the reason why this wine is so delicious. Quite forward and very bright with typical swagger and density of cassis this is a brilliant wine. A little rounder than 2014 but I love this style equally because the 2014 had more obviously classical tannins.

The 2015 Potensac is a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc, and it represents 55% of the production even though they could have done more. It has a well-defined bouquet, crisp and focused, with tobacco-tinged black fruit and a light brine-like tinge that becomes accentuated with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry. This is smooth and harmonious, perhaps more cohesive than recent vintages, with slightly chalky tannin on the tensile, graphite-tinged finish. This is a fine Potensac that may have greater longevity than I originally thought. Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2035.

The 2015 Potensac is a blend of 45% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Cabernet Franc that was cropped at 50 hl/ha, and raised in one-third new oak. There is a sense of airiness on the nose: small dark cherries, crème de cassis and crushed strawberry, pretty and nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin, fresh and citrus in style, just a touch of reduction towards the finish, but they will blow off by the time it is in bottle. I would have just preferred more persistence on the finish, but otherwise this is a decent Potensac. Drink 2019-2030

Lots of mineral and stone aromas and flavors with blackberry and blueberry aromas. Full and very fine texture. Well made for the vintage considering the moisture in Northern Médoc.

Savoury and polished. Lots of personality. Quite marked acidity on the end - too concentrated perhaps? 13.32%Drink 2021-2028