2023 Château Potensac, Médoc, Bordeaux

48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc. 48 hl/ha. Cask sample.

Crimson hue. Hedgerow-fruit aromas. Bright attack with a reasonable density of fruit to follow. Tannins well managed. Minerally freshness on the finish. Should provide classic drinking.

Drink 2028 - 2040

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Potensac zips out with vibrant notes of black raspberries, Bing cherries, and fresh blackcurrants plus suggestions of wild sage and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate has a lively line and delightful herbal sparks brightening the red berry flavors framed by lightly chewy tannins, finishing refreshing.

The blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol is 13.4%.

Drink 2027 - 2037

The 2023 Potensac is a solid effort, offering up aromas of dark berries, cherries, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palate that's taut and penetrating, with good depth at the core.

Ripe redcurrants, cassis, graphite, and smoked tobacco as well as some floral notes all emerge from the 2023 Château Potensac, a medium-bodied, lively, beautifully balanced, Potensac that has fine tannins and the fresh yet focused, balanced style of the vintage.

The 2023 Potensac has a well-defined nose: predominantly black fruit, with touches of seaweed in the background. I warm to it more with acquaintance, and it gradually coheres. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and a fine line of acidity. Silky-smooth in texture, you can tell that there is some quality new oak on the finish, which is simpatico with the fruit. It's a good, solid Potensac that will require three or four years in bottle.

Drink 2028 - 2040

The 2023 Potensac is a seriously beautiful wine that shows just how complex and nuanced wines from this property can be. Crushed flowers, spice, red/purplish fruit, rose petal and mint are some of the notes that lift from the glass. Bright saline tones underpin the mid-palate and finish. This is one of the most complete young Potensacs I can recall tasting.

Drink 2027 - 2043

Concentrated and intense, fragrant spicy notes of green peppercorn, liqourice root, smoked earth, freshly cut herbs and black tea. Plenty of lift, a little serious and austere, but this is a well balanced and enjoyable wine.

Harvest September 18 to 29, 20% new oak for ageing. No 2nd wine of Potensac since 2021, since they pulled out more than 20ha of vines to retain only the most high quality parts of the vineyard.

Drink 2028 - 2040

Beautiful dark fruit with purity and freshness. Medium- to full-bodied, seamless and compact. Outstanding quality of tannins, so fine and dense. It’s muscular and taut on the mid-palate. Lingering, too. Plenty of energy. Close to 2022.