The only estate in the Listrac appellation belonging to the Chanfreau family—which also owns Chateau Caroline in the Moulis appellation—the 2022 Lestage displays aromas of oak, toast, plum, ripe cassis and smoke. Fleshy and concentrated, it’s a bit firm and tannic on the finish.

The 2021 Lestage reveals aromas of rich berries, loamy soil and orange, framed by toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied, supple and lively, it's charming by the standards of Listrac, but also a touch ephemeral. It's owned by the Chanfreau family.

The 2019 Lestage has softened a little since I tasted it earlier this year, but it remains somewhat tightly wound. Exhibiting attractive aromas of blackberries, exotic spices, licorice and loamy soil, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, its powdery structuring tannins asserting themselves on the finish. This has the makings of an outstanding vintage of Lestage, but it will warrant another year or two's patience.

The 2018 Lestage is rich and fleshy, bursting with aromas of crème de cassis, violets, sweet blackberries and chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, textural and enveloping, it's an especially demonstrative vintage for this Listrac estate. While 2016 is the choice for purists, the 2018 offers plenty of upfront appeal.

The Chanfreau family's 2016 Lestage is showing very well, unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berries, licorice, sweet soil tones and spices. Dominated by some 70% Merlot growing on clay-limestone soils, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with lively acids and rich, powdery tannins cloaked in a deep core of fruit. While it already offers charming drinking, it possesses upside potential too.