Château Franc La Rose, St-Émilion, Grand Cru, 2022

Smooth and supple but with a vein of lean, mineral and saline-edged tannins that keep this focussed and laser straight. Fruit is ripe with touches of smoke, clove, bitter dark chocolate and herbs all giving different accents and flavour nuances while keeping the persistence and minty cool freshness through to the end. Lovely terroir markers. Focussed and suave. Nice effort with energy and a sense of style and drinkability. 3.63pH. Ageing 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. Rolland & Associés consultants.

Super ripe aromas on the nose, plums, cherries and raisins. High acidity makes the first mark, but it's a little sour, making the profile of the fruit somewhat tart with sharp tannins that lead into a salty finish. Fruit is clean and simple if quite sweet and jammy so the palate isn't so harmonious right now. A touch short on the finish.