Chateau Le Pape 2017

DECANTER: "This is a lovely Le Pape, soft, elegant, smooth and extremely elegant. The acidities are relatively high - certainly more apparent than last year - but the overall texture is extremely silky. We are now on the sixth vintage since the Haut-Bailly team took over, and it is really finding its style and its character. The aromatics spring from the glass and it's extremely 'digestible', as the French say, yet with a real sense of structure. It has great balance and is very charming, an easy to recommend medium term drinker. Harvested 18-29 September. No frost damage. Drinking Window 2022 - 2032"

WINE SPECTATOR: "Steeped red and black currant notes mingle with sanguine and iron accents, while a roasted apple wood frame pulls everything together. Tar streaks on the finish leave enough room for the fruit to drive through. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2022 through 2034. 1,667 cases made."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A fresh and elegant Le Pape with a medium body, fine and silky tannins and a fresh finish. Pretty and clean. Refined. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon."

WEINWISSER: "80 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Granatrubin mit violettem Rand. Zartes Kirschbouquet mit Anklängen an roten Johannisbeeren. Im zweiten Ansatz Kardamom und edle tabakige Würze. Am feingliedrigen Gaumen mit klassischer Ausrichtung, dabei mit reifem, unterlegtem Tannin und viel roter Frucht. Im eleganten Finale mit frischem Preiselbeersaft. Toller Best Buy, der dieses Jahr besonders zu gefallen weiss."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Chateau Le Pape offers a charming, forward, delicious style that's common in the vintage. Chocolate dark fruits, ripe tobacco, and gravelly, earthy notes all emerge from the glass, and it has plenty of fruit, ripe tannins, and a good finish. Drink this total charmer any time over the coming 10-15 years or more."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "90–92. Barrel Sample. Ripe, generous and rich, this is a wine with great black fruits and already integrated tannins. Spice, dark chocolate and coffee flavors promise a wine that is well structured while dominated by great fruit. Drink from 2023."