The 2019 Château Puygueraud is also terrific, with ripe darker cherry, plum, leafy tobacco and hints of chocolate on the nose. This medium-bodied, rounded, supple, elegant beauty has soft tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming decade.

The 2019 Puygueraud exhibits aromas of black cherries, violet and iris, thyme, menthol and touches of spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, juicy and vibrant, with delicate aromas of plum and cassis. This vintage can be approached with pleasure, even if it has three to five years of evolution ahead of it.

This full Merlot from the far east of the Bordeaux vineyard, is suffused with ripe, smoothly textured dark fruits. It has a touch of spice at the end from the Cabernet Franc. Structured tannins come at the end.

The 2019 Puygueraud was quite potent when it was young, today it comes across as a bit light and lacking in body. Perhaps the effects of late season rain are more evident now that some of the initial exuberance has faded. Bright red fruit, cedar and tobacco all open nicely. The 2019 saw some aging in cask, which might also explain the lighter style. Tasted two times.

Direct, with lightly mulled red and black currant fruit, backed by warm earth and tobacco leaf notes. Shows a subtle sanguine hint on the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2023. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.