Château de Barbe, Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France, 2019

Nice concentration on the nose, smells heady and rich; full of ripe, dark cherry, strawberry and blackberry fruit alongside touches of chocolate, vanilla and liquorice. Smells lively and expressive with hints of cola and blueberries too. Smooth and succulent, lots of energy and vitality here, great acidity gives this bite and tang straight away. A touch austere but in a good way, flint and graphite minerality underpinned by a tight texture that gives some leanniness but also showcases a lovely clarity of fruit. Feels well worked, balanced and not pushed. Enjoyable and nuanced. Juicy and just slightly fleshy and chewy which is nice, but still with finesse and polish. Layered, nuanced and really enjoyable with lashings of dark chocolate, vanilla, clove and cedar on the finish with a salty lingering note. Finessed and approachable.