Château Grand Village, Rouge, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2017

The Guinaudeau team fought the elements at Chateau Lafleur on the nights of the 27th and 28th of April. Thankfully they won and Lafleur was saved from the ravages of the frost. Alas, Grand Villages was left unprotected and was ravished. The Merlots situated on the clay-limestone fared best. 90% of the vineyard was affected. The decision was brutal but necessary, everything that had been touched by frost was pruned. Produced from 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the Grand Village 2017 will be a rarefied wine, just 9% of a normal crop. That's a great shame as it continues the impeccable run of vintages made at the Guinaudeau's home estate. Aromatically quite closed, this is all about texture at this early stage - pure, seductive Merlot fruits, gentle and refined with pretty mineral touches and ample bright red berry fruit. This is lacy and detailed with exceptionally elegant tannins. It's a shame it'll be so scarce!