Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Les Trois Croix struts out of the glass with confident notes of crushed black plums, ripe blackberries and Morello cherries plus suggestions of Sichuan pepper, woodsmoke and menthol with a touch of wild sage. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of crunchy black fruit with a firm frame of rounded tannins and loads of freshness, finishing long and invigorating.

Potent and powerful on the nose, intensity of ripe black fruits and sweet exotic spices. Plump with a chalky, velvety texture to the tannins with a spicy coffee and liquorice tang underpinning the juicy blackcurrant fruit. Good concentration with an appealing roundness and wet stone minerality on the finish giving lift and life. Freshness and charm though I would keep for a few more years to expand and show its full potential.