Grand Village Rouge 2019 (750ML)

94+ WA / 94 DE / 92 JS / 91+ WI / 91 VM

A terrific performance for this estate, the 2019 Grand Village reveals a delicate, perfumed, complex bouquet with inviting aromas of dark wild berries, iris, violet, menthol and lead pencil. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, enveloping and supple, fleshy and crystalline, with a delicate, layered core of fruit framed by supple, polished tannins, concluding with a saline, lead pencil-inflected finish. It will offer a broad drinking window. - YC, Wine Advocate

A gorgeous dark nose with some perfumed black cherries, it smells faintly sweet and softly floral - so welcoming. A similar soft, sweetness follows on the palate straight away with such perfumed edges that are completely captivating. Succulent with clarity and soft chalky tannins plumping up the blackcurrant, Morello cherry and raspberry fruit. There's also a very specific iron filing, iodine salinity that lingers giving such texture and nuance to the overall frame. The finish is fresh and direct with a cooling sensation that lingers. Sophisticated and refined, but above all so joyous to drink. A top buy. From the same winemaking team and philosophy as Château Lafleur in Pomerol.Drinking Window 2024 - 2039 Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Increasingly replanted or grafted over to vine genetics from Lafleur, and lavished with the same viticultural attention to detail, this estate is fast becoming a loss-making (but in many respects enriching) venture for the Guinaudeau family. Offering up aromas of cherries, wild berries, petals and sweet spices, the 2019 Grand Village is medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a long, mineral finish. It's a brilliant wine that makes a mockery of the traditional appellation hierarchy. (93 points) - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

Blackberries and blueberries with chocolate and walnut undertones. Medium body and firm, creamy tannins with beautiful finish and depth. Some crushed stone at the end. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Give it three or four years of bottle age but pretty already to drink.--James Suckling

The Grand Village vineyard is nearly 1/3 Bouchet (Cabernet Franc) now, with all the genetic material (clones) sourced from the Lafleur vineyard. The 2019 is medium to deep garnet-purple colored. It gives up vibrant redcurrant jelly and black raspberry notes with hints of cracked pepper, cinnamon stick, dusty soil, and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied, elegant, and refreshing, it has fine-grained tannins and bright energetic fruit, finishing long and minerally. The blend this year is 81% Merlot and 19% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc). - Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Independent

The 2019 Grand Village has a very intense bouquet of blackberry and bilberry fruit, showing fine delineation and purer than the vintages that I used to taste, say, a decade ago. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, grainy tannins and lovely balance. Quite caressing, with touches of dark chocolate discreetly interwoven on the finish. Excellent. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media