Croft, Vintage

Croft, VintageThe 2009 Croft has a tightly wound bouquet of blackberry, black plum, and touches of glycerine and graphite that are well defined but persistently broody. The palate is full bodied with a burly, powerful entry. There is real structure and presence here a Croft packed full of spicy black fruit with white peppers generously sprinkled over the finish. This is an ambitious Croft that could become a future legend or might trip over its untrammeled

Here the unusually expressive nose is more floral in character with ample spice elements on the earthy dark berry and Asian tea-suffused aromas

I would be inclined to begin drinking this now and over the next 10 years as I fear this risks drying out and becoming astringent if held for the longer-term

I would not expect it to be a poor wine either

This year there is no Monfortino

southeast-facing vineyard planted in 1973 in Laguardia at 500 meters altitude

The natural ripeness of the year amps up the Chardonnay flavors

A blend of 46% Sauvignon Blanc

It was bottled in June 2017

there is a wall of dark

particularly on the superbly complex and highly persistent finish

serious and impressively persistent finish

but not a great vintage for Celestins