AJ | Saturatedly deep black-red, though a little less so than Capbern (by way of neighbourly example in this tasting). Sweet, warm, ample, smiling aromas: a great wealth of fruited charm. While 2019 seems ultra-classical in most appellations, it seems to be unusually generous in St Estephe. There are some menthol notes here behind sweet, ripe fruits; a little more evolution here than for some of its peers. On the palate, this is actually terrific stuff: a great fruit cavalry charge, bearing down out of the hills, with impressive depth and drive, texture and power -- but the power is not overdone. Pure and long in its definition. It isn't the most refined wine we're going to look at today, but it delivers on all fronts on expectations and will provide huge pleasure over the next 10-15 years.Drink Dates: 2023 - 2035. 91
MS | Lovely core of ripe red fruit on the nose, nicely gravel tinged as so may seem to be in this vintage; medium full, supple to fresh in acidity, very finely tannic, a most attractive St Estèphe balance; gently, roundly rich and juicy, backed by an attractively, lightly chewy tannin, a gentle complexity and very nice length. A pretty winning combination, a very complete Le Crock. Drink Dates: 2025 - 2035+. 90