Château Alcee 2019

Ripe dark fruit, licorice, walnuts and cured meat on the nose. Full body and fine, chewy tannins and impressive depth. Polished, firm finish with hints of crushed stones. Rich and intense, yet balanced and delicious. 96% merlot and 4% cabernet franc. Try after 2024.

Black cherries, red plums, tobacco, and chalky minerality all emerge from the 2019 Château Alcée, a juicy, medium-bodied, round, incredibly satisfying Castillon with ripe tannins and rock-solid overall balance. It's beautiful today, yet I see no reason it shouldn't evolve and drink well for a decade.

Composed of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Alcee was harvested from the 27th of September to the 9th of October. Yields were 29 hectoliters per hectare this year. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing to reveal the beautiful raspberry pie, kirsch and Black Forest cake scents, followed by notions of violets, fallen leaves and star anise. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is solidly constructed with firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the tightly knit red and black fruit flavors, finishing long and fragrant. About 1,650 cases are anticipated to be made.

Wonderfully seductive, softly fragrant nose - smells so welcoming and inviting. Great texture, smooth, suave and generous tannins that coat the mouth but still allow the cool, liquorice and tobacco-tinged black and blue fruits to come through. Sculpted and charming, this has poise and I like the driving energy. I'd still give it some time but I like the fruit profile and the tannin quality is excellent. A satisfying good buy. 96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc.