2017 Petit Village

The 2017 Petit-Village is all class. Sweet floral notes and silky tannins give the 2017 striking nuance and finesse to match its mid-weight personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural depth and structure nicely. In 2017, Petit-Village is marked by strong Cabernet signatures in both its flavor profile and structural feel. The tannins naturally need a few years to soften, but this has real potential. Tasted two times.

There was no frost damage at Petit Village in 2017. Composed of 71% Merlot , 20% Cabernet Franc and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Petit Village displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of baked blackberries, boysenberries and plum preserves plus hints of Sichuan pepper, underbrush and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a generous amount of black fruits with a solid, grainy frame and lovely freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick.

I tasted the 2017 Petit-Village from a sample sent to my address since for some reason it played truant from my tastings in Bordeaux. Though I have a soft spot for this Pomerol cru, this does not quite deliver much in the way of fireworks. It has maintained a pretty bouquet with high-toned red and blue fruit, perhaps a little smudged around the edges but attractive in terms of purity. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, fine acidity, a touch of savoriness infusing the red fruit. What it is missing is a little length and persistence on the finish. Winemaker Diana Berrouet Garcia has overseen a competent Petit-Village, one that should offer 12-15 years of drinking pleasure. But as I remarked in my original barrel tasting note, given the terroir, it just leaves me asking: What more can you give?