2023 Les Perrieres de Lafleur Fronsac

The 2023 Les Perrieres de Lafleur reveals aromas of violet, dark wild berries, spices and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, enveloping and deep, layered and textured, it has a good depth of fruit with powdery tannins, concluding with a saline, lead pencil-inflected finish. Crafted entirely from Cabernet Franc, it's one of the most singular Les Perrieres produced by Baptiste Guinaudeau and his team.

The 2023 Les Perrieres is, unusually, 100% Cabernet Franc this year, as all the Merlot went into the Grand Vin. Bold, rich and explosive, the 2023 offers up copious red-toned fruit along with soaring floral and savory top notes. There's gorgeous depth and textural richness here, along with superb balance. The 2023 is an idiosyncratic wine, to be sure, but it works. Clean saline notes extend the finish.