2017 Meyney

This is more proof of the consistency of Meyney. It has clear oak finessing, well held together with a cinnamon dusting and white pepper spicing, giving a gourmet edge with its own character. This feels finessed, contemporary and accomplished; a pretty complete package. This perhaps doesn't quite have the generosity of 2016, as the tannins are a little more tightly-drawn, but this is still good. Retasted several times and it stands out for its quality. Harvested 15 September to 5 October. Hubert de Boüard is consultant, with Anne Le Naour technical director.

The 2017 Meyney has a clean and fresh bouquet with blackberry and raspberry fruit mingling with cedar and light cigar humidor aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent, ripe tannin and a fine bead of acidity. I find this surprisingly juicy in style that probably belies the structure underneath. This will be one of the more approachable Saint-Estèphe wines in this vintage, but one that I find well made.

Two thousand seventeen is a very fine vintage for Meyney. A powerful, resonant Saint-Estèphe, the 2017 is endowed with striking aromatics that give the wine a bit more freshness than has been the case in some recent vintages. Dark red-toned fruit, leather, smoke and grilled herb overtones add nuance throughout. This is one of the finer recent vintages I have tasted from Meyney. Winemaker Anne Le Naour did a terrific job with the 2017. The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, aged in 40% new barrels. Tasted three times.