Le Carre 2019 (750ML)

95 VM / 94 JD / 94 JS / 94 WE / 94 WCI / 92 DE / 90-92 WA

Just as it was en primeur, the 2019 Le Carré is a wild, virile wine. The Cabernet Franc is again incredibly assertive, with strong savory and feral notes that lend quite a bit of character. Scorched earth, tobacco,, iron and smoke are laced throughout a core of black fruit. Le Carré is not exactly subtle in 2019, but it sure had a lot to offer. It is one of the more imposing wines in Jonathan Maltus's range-Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Spiced black cherries, dried herbs, incense, chocolate, and some obvious minerality all emerge from the 2019 Le Carré, a rich, full-bodied, brilliantly textured, and voluptuous effort. It's already drinking great today yet will certainly keep for another 15-20 years. It's one of the most opulent and sexy in the Maltus lineup. - Jeb Dunnuck

Lots of ripe dark and blue-fruit aromas with notes of violets and dried herbs, as well as some chocolate and licorice. Full-bodied, firm and polished with layers of tannins, deep fruit and a savory finish. Slightly austere, but will come around nicely with age. Try after 2025. - James Suckling

Dense chocolate and black plum flavors over this luscious wine give structure and fine concentration.The wine comes from a single parcel on the Saint-Emilion plateau. There is a juicy element to this fine, full wine that will repay further aging. Drink from 2025. Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

Medium-bodied, soft, elegant, polished and refined, the red fruits are fresh, clean and pure. The finish, with its touches of spice, espresso, mint and stone leaves you with layers of sweet, cherries that linger, allowing you to enjoy all of their sweet, fresh characteristics and the creamy-textured finish. Drink from 2024-2040. -Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

Silky, concentrated and well handled, this has a firm tannic hold that embraces the fruits and adds a seriousness to the chocolate, liquorice and grilled cedar notes. 80% new oak, 3.78pH. - Jane Anson, Decanter

The 2019 Le Carre displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and is intensely scented of baked blackberries, plum preserves and cherry pie with hints of hoisin, black truffles, iron ore and black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate is pleasantly chewy and savory with plenty of freshness and a soft-spoken finish. Le Carre is from the JCP Maltus portfolio of skillfully crafted Saint-Émilion wines. Neil White is the head winemaker, and Thomas Duclos is a consultant here. - Lisa Perrotti Brown, Wine Advocate