Aromas of sweet cherries, berries, spices and creamy new oak introduce the 2021 Villemaurine, a medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered wine that's vibrant and nicely concentrated, with a layered core of lively fruit framed by fine, powdery tannins. Tasted three times, this is one wine that improved appreciably over the course of the three weeks I spent in Bordeaux.

The 2020 Villemaurine sports a very deep purple-black color, springing from the glass with vibrant notes of black cherry preserves, ripe black plums and wild blueberries, plus touches of Indian spices, menthol and cedar chest with a waft of fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied palate is soft and juicy with a lively backbone to lift the seductive exotic spices to a nice long and harmonious finish. The blend this year is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aging for an anticipated 16 months in French oak, 80% new. The alcohol is 14.5%.