Producer note: Vincent Mongeard succinctly commented that the 2017 growing season "was among the easiest we've had lately as there was no disease pressure to speak of and no major climatic events either. The fruit was both clean and quite ripe and thus easy to vinify. As to the wines, I thought that they seemed a bit skinny and without a great deal of interest but once the malos finished they have improved month by month and I would now describe them as an unexpected surprise." (Atherton Wine Imports, www.awiwine.com, CA, M.S. Walker, www.mswalker.com, MA/RI/NH, Vineyard Brands, www.vineyardbrands.com, AL, all USA; several UK importers).
Tasting note: A more subtle application of oak frames the overtly floral and relatively high-toned aromas of red cherry and currant where added breadth is present in the form of sandalwood and spicy Asian-style tea. The seductively textured and acceptably concentrated if not especially dense medium-bodied flavors possess reasonable power and volume on the lingering and nicely complex finale. This is classy and certainly very pretty but I was somewhat disappointed with this given its usual excellent quality.
