Chateau Potensac, Medoc 2016

94 James Suckling - Suave aromas of cedar and fresh red flowers with a thread of ripe red berries and blackcurrants, mulberries, coal smoke and cool stones. The palate delivers a wealth of rich red-fruit flavors, framed in sleek tannins that build with precision and length. A class act. One of the best from here in the modern era. Try from 2023.

91 Jeb Dunnuck - Another sleeper is the 2016 Château de Potensac, which is 44% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all aged 14 months in 30% new French oak. This beauty is upfront and ready to go, with a dark, rich bouquet of currants, unsmoked tobacco, graphite, and earth. With beautiful concentration and a layered, elegant texture, it’s one of those wines that has ample upfront appeal yet will keep for 15+ years.

90 Wine Enthusiast - This ripe wine offers structure from the Cabernet in the blend but also rich berry fruits with just a hint of chocolate. Its density and acidity give a smooth as well as juicy aftertaste.

90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - Blended of 44% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Potensac features chocolate box and Sichuan pepper scents with a core of cassis, warm blackberries, kirsch and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it has a great core of expressive black fruits, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing with a red fruit lift.

90 Decanter - This is such classic Médoc - the freshness is clear, perfectly underpinning the crunchy red and black berry fruits. It's super-seductive and easy to drink despite being closed right now, as you would expect at this stage, but the weight of tannins suggests that it will open back up fairly swiftly, and a second bottle I tasted was even more juicy. 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend.