A favorite of our friend Benoit Touquette—the French-born, Bordeaux-bred winemaker and mastermind consultant who’s kept Realm, Screaming Eagle, Ovid, and Fait-Main at the top—this Right Bank gem was crafted by superstar Stéphane Derenoncourt in the superb 2019 vintage. It’s the kind of red you’d expect to shell out about $50 for, but you can get it here for far less.
Deep ruby, with tones of purple around the rim. Energetic aromas of black raspberries, mushrooms, fresh strawberries, dark chocolate, and gentle hints of violets and red flowers leap from the glass. Extremely crisp, refreshing acidity balanced by already fine and well-integrated tannins will speak to New World wine lovers everywhere. Flavors of fresh fruit and oak spices linger on the palate. This is already drinking beautifully, but will benefit from further bottle-aging. Drink now–2033.