2019 Chateau Les Grandes Murailles Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

The 2019 Les Grandes Murailles has a wonderful black cherry, blueberry and violet scented bouquet, underneath which lies subtle iodine and oyster shell aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very cohesive with a granular texture, the backbone disguised underneath the layers of black fruit. Very impressive persistency here, this is potentially a great Les Grandes Murailles.

The 2019 Les Grandes Murailles is classy and polished to the core. In 2019, Grandes Murailles has a bit more richness and depth than it usually does, which here is a positive as at times this Saint-Émilion can be a bit lean. Not in 2019. Ripe red cherry, plum, mocha, cedar, new leather and spice all flesh out in the glass. Aging in equal parts barrique and amphora gives the fruit tremendous presence. Rich, textured and so seductive, the 2019 is a total pleasure bomb, and yet it retains its classic sense of structure. This is such a gorgeous wine.

Tasted blind. Sweet and transparent with fresh fruit and decent balance though not an especially distinctive flavour. Sinewy. (JR)