Barrel Sample. Reduced quantities due to frost have added some concentration and certainly brought out fine, elegant tannins. The black fruit flavors are warm, rich and generous backed by a solid structure to balance the ripe fruit.

A firm and tight center palate with dark berry, currant, and mint character. Full body, layered and flavorful. Shows a solid mid-palate.

The 2017 Lalande-Borie is a powerful, dense wine endowed with serious depth. Sadly, frost wiped out half of the crop. As for the wine itself, it is quite huge. Big and rich in the glass, Lalande-Borie offers serious intensity as well as structure. Sweet tobacco, menthol, licorice, spice and dried herbs add layers of nuance to this decidedly potent edition of Lalande-Borie. Sadly, yields are down a punishing 40%.

The 2017 Lalande-Borie, which was created by Jean-Eugène Borie in 1970, is matured in 30% new oak for 12 months. It has a well-defined bouquet with slightly broody dark fruit that need some encouragement from the glass. Here there is a majority of red rather than black fruit, complemented by bay leaf and a touch of truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, crisp acidity, very focused with tangible mineralité that surfaces on the final third of the wine. Good potential. I like the sapid nature of this wine and it should drink well over the next decade.

Bruno Borie mentioned that there was a little frost on the western part of Saint-Julien here. A blend of 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium garnet-purple colored 2017 Lalande-Borie has a beautiful nose of red roses, dusty soil and powdered cinnamon with a core of red currants, black cherries and kirsch plus a touch of warm plums. The palate is medium-bodied with a chewy frame and lively backbone supporting the muscular fruit, finishing savory and with great persistence. To be aged for 12 months in barrel, in one-third new oak.

Reviewer Name: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Review Date: 27th April 2018