Château Potensac 2015 - Médoc Cru bourgeois

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A very elegant and complex nose, with subtle fruity and floral notes and hints of pepper; full-bodied on the palate, with pure fruit, very fresh tannins, and a lingering finish. Harmonious, lively, long, flavorful, and well-balanced.

About the estate:

Undoubtedly the most highly regarded wine in the Médoc appellation, Potensac owes its success to the quality of the winemaking teams assembled by the Delon family, the château’s owners, who work according to the same exacting standards as at Léoville-Las Cases. The vineyard’s advanced age—with some Cabernet plots over 80 years old—does not prevent it from being perfectly productive! The wine embodies the classic style to the highest degree, with notes of cedar on the nose and spices in the tannins, and great firmness. It is currently evolving toward greater immediate finesse and suppleness. The latest vintages are majestic and of the highest class; they will console all those who can no longer afford the most famous wines.

Decanter

About the wine:

Excellent concentration on the nose, which carries through to the palate. The estate’s oldest Cabernet Franc vines—accounting for 17% of the blend—are selected for this wine, and are approximately 100 years old. A cut above Chapelle, and exceptional quality for such an affordable wine.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The wine’s elegant presentation is reflected in a bouquet with subtle fruity and toasty notes. On the palate, too, the oak complements the wine beautifully, which captivates with its fine balance, perfectly integrated tannins, and lingering finish.

About the estate:

A beautiful estate situated on one of the highest points in northern Médoc, this renowned vineyard—managed by Jean-Hubert Delon (Léoville Las Cases)—spans most of its 84 hectares across clay-gravel ridges with limestone subsoil and a high proportion of gravel, a terroir similar to that of Saint-Estèphe. A must-visit.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2015 Potensac is a blend of 45% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 17% Cabernet Franc, grown at a yield of 50 hl/ha and aged in one-third new oak. On the nose, there is a sense of lightness: small black cherries, blackcurrant cream, and crushed strawberries—delicate and beautifully concentrated. The medium-bodied palate is characterized by fine tannins, fresh and lemony notes, and just a hint of reduction toward the finish, though this will likely fade by the time of bottling. I would simply have preferred a bit more persistence on the finish, but otherwise it’s a decent Potensac.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Full-bodied, with beautifully intense fruit and just the right amount of ripeness, it is already appealing and delicious. However, it’s worth waiting for.

About the estate:

As bargain hunters know, Château Potensac is the flagship of the Médoc appellation, thanks to the 300,000 bottles it produces each year and the consistency of its quality. As the younger sibling of Léoville Las Cases, it benefits from the team’s full expertise, and thanks to the aging of the vineyard, it now produces the best wine in its appellation. Delicious after two or three years in the bottle, it also has the potential for long-term aging. Its style blends generosity and precision, without heaviness or vulgarity.

James Suckling

About the wine:

This lovely red wine offers clarity and transparency, with notes of redcurrant, lemon zest, and lemongrass. Full-bodied on the palate, with very fine tannins and a lovely texture. A well-defined wine. Ready to drink now or for aging.