Château Barrail du Blanc Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014

Perched atop the Potensac plateau in northern Medoc, Château Potensac owes its name to its geographical setting. The Delon family has overseen the estate for several generations, with ownership passing into their hands when Jean Hubert Delon's grandfather married into the Liquard family. The vineyard has since become a cherished inheritance, conveyed from one generation to the next.

The vines at the vineyard are notably aged, averaging nearly 50 years, with some remarkable specimens exceeding 80 years. The landscape features two sloping gradients, peaking at 35 meters. Harvesting at Chateau Potensac is a blend of tradition and technology, combining hand-picking with mechanized methods.

Visually, the wine presents a deep coloration. It welcomes the olfactory senses with a bouquet of herbs, cedar, wild strawberries, and a subtle pepper note. The wine has a robust body, rich in texture and heavy with tannins, exuding a powerful essence with flavors of kirsch and cassis, supported by pronounced acidity. This wine requires patience to appreciate its full harmony.

Since its initial barreling, the 2012 Potensac has matured into a more medium-bodied wine, balancing its once-prominent tannins. Its aroma, initially subtle, has blossomed to include raspberry, strawberry, and tobacco. The palate enjoys a smooth interplay of blackberry flavors mingled with tobacco and a hint of sea salt. The finish, echoing Pauillac, is marked by pencil lead elements and is notably enduring. This esteemed Médoc offering from Jean-Hubert Delon is poised for an impressive evolution in the coming decade.