2019 Brown

The 2019 Château Brown has a mélange of red and black fruit on the nose, touches of espresso and tobacco emerging with time. Perhaps I was anticipating a little more complexity given the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied and quite saline, with a peppery opening, good tension, fine grip and decent length on the finish. Hopefully the aromatics will up its game, as this certainly has potential.

The smooth, silky tannins of Pessac-Léognan, well handled to accentuate the damson and black cherry fruits, set against pencil lead and slate. Another successful vintage at this property, owned by Jean-Christophe Mau. I chose it as one of my top 30 2018s to open now, and equally here you have a wine that will be ready within a few years, although the acidities are a little more pronounced than in 2018. 45% new oak, 42hl/ha yield. Harvest September 25 to October 14. An upscore from En Primeur.

The 2019 Château Brown was picked from 25 September to 14 October and matured in 45% new oak. Alcohol comes in at 14.63%. It has quite a rich, generous bouquet with juicy blackcurrant and light cassis scents, maybe just a tad monotonous at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with gently gripping tannins, a mixture of red and black fruit flecked with dark chocolate, well defined on the finish yet needing more persistence. It should give 12-15 years of drinking pleasure but I would just like to see more terroir expression.