Tronquoy-Lalande 2014

The 2014 Tronquoy-Lalande is medium to deep garnet in color. Intense notes of Morello cherries, creme de cassis, and plum preserves spill from the glass, plus touches of mint tea, iron ore, and dried roses. The medium-bodied palate is taut with muscular black fruits and fantastic tension, framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and fragrant. Simply beautiful!

The 2014 Tronquoy-Lalande has a more elegant, refined bouquet compared to its peers, a mixture of red and black fruit, cedar, iodine and violets, perhaps picked a little later? The palate is medium-bodied with a ferrous opening, and the tannins are a bit drier than I would have liked, though the overly spicy and persistent finish is complex. It will be intriguing to see how this ages further in bottle. This is a very positive showing for one of the most under-rated estates in Saint-Estèphe. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. 2026 - 2045

Another big, dark St.-Estèphe, but in spite of the rich body and some perceptible alcohol, there is also a cool, minty note. Slightly sweet finish in spite of all the tannins. Spice comes through at the end. Drink in 2020.

Deep ruby in colour, very much holding its intensity at 8 years old. This is classic St Estèphe, there is punch and depth to the black fruits, acidities are fresher than you would find in neighbour appellations such as Pauillac, with everything well held together, cassis, blackberry, lashings of black pepper and cocoa bean spice, open and ready to drink but still with structure and life ahead. Enjoyable, classic, a little old school but thoroughly charming with appellation character. Harvest September 18 to October 11.