The Grand Poujeaux’s soils of fine gravel over Garonne clay – made famous by the great Château Chasse-Spleen – are considered to be among the finest terroirs in the Médoc. Chateau Lestage-Darquier makes just one wine, an elegant cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (40%) and Cabernet Franc, and in the superb 2019 Médoc vintage, it’s a knockout! Lestage-Darquier’s cuvée opens with a classic young claret color in the glass and brilliant Médoc aromas of cassis, dried herbs, cedar, and cinnamon-scented potpourri. Bristling with energy, the wine juxtaposes bright red currant and raspberry fruit with complex suggestions of rose petals, camphor, tobacco, caramel, and brown spices. Plentiful fine tannins emerge as the wine transitions to its long, graceful, savory finish. This is superb claret that pulls off the rare feat of being delicious young and packed with the cedary, currant-rich complexity of a great Médoc. Ready for your table tonight, pair this terrific claret with hearty classic fare like burgers hot off the skillet, pan-seared pork chops, mac ‘n’ cheese, braised lentils, and grilled Portobello mushrooms. Enjoy now and over the next seven years.
James Suckling: 91-92 points
