Les Asteries 2019 (3.0L)

95-97+ JD / 94-96 WA / 94-95 JS / 93-95 VM / 93 DE

Another killer barrel sample from this team is the 2019 Les Asteries, which offers a sensational bouquet of crème de cassis, toasty oak, crushed stone, white flowers, and tobacco. One of the more focused, mineral-laced, and backward in the lineup, this full-bodied, concentrated 2019 is going to need 4-6 years of bottle age to show at its best. - Jeb Dunnick

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Les Asteries wafts seductively out of the glass with fragrant notes of Ceylon tea, potpourri, forest floor and lavender over a core of Morello cherries, wild blueberries and blackberry tart with a touch of bouquet garni. Medium-bodied, refreshing and delicately crafted, the palate has wonderfully ripe, silt-like tannins and seamless freshness supporting the perfumed fruit, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Les Asteries 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. The vineyard is composed of thin clay over limestone. - Lisa Perrotti Brown, Wine Advocate
Real purity of fruit to this with a core of blue fruit and fine, ripe tannins. It’s full-bodied, long and energetic. - James Suckling

The 2019 Les Astéries has a charming bouquet with small dark cherries, crushed violet and inky aromas, all neatly integrated with the new oak - lush but controlled and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, cohesive and poised with fine tension and complexity towards the finish. This might well turn out to be Jonathan Malthus' best release this vintage. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Clear chocolate and coffee toasting right from the start, this is an excellent Asteries. It is full of welcoming brambly fruit and delicious ginger and black pepper spice, definite traces of heat but well handled by the tannic frame. Personality and impact but with a sense of balance through the finish. 80% new oak for malo and ageing. 3.62pH. - Jane Anson, Decanter