critic reviews
The 2023 Potensac, which is not partially fermented in the stainless steel vats being used at Léoville Las-Cases, has quite a backward nose that needs time to open up: black fruit, briar, tobacco and light gravelly scents, needing a little more cohesion. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. Fresh and quite saline, there is a sharpness on the finish with hints of brine on the aftertaste. This will require a bit of time to really cohere, just a little raw at the moment.
Concentrated and intense, fragrant spicy notes of green peppercorn, liqourice root, smoked earth, freshly cut herbs and black tea. Plenty of lift, a little serious and austere, but this is a well balanced and enjoyable wine. Harvest Setepbmer 18 to 29, 20% new oak for ageing. No 2nd wine of Potensac since 2021, since they pulled out more than 20ha of vines to retain only the most high quality parts of the vineyard.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Potensac zips out with vibrant notes of black raspberries, Bing cherries, and fresh blackcurrants plus suggestions of wild sage and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate has a lively line and delightful herbal sparks brightening the red berry flavors framed by lightly chewy tannins, finishing refreshing. The blend is 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc. The alcohol is 13.4%.
The 2023 Potensac is a solid effort, offering up aromas of dark berries, cherries, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palate that's taut and penetrating, with good depth at the core.