Antonio Galloni
AG
93
"Bright ruby-red. Deep, musky, balsamic scents of currant, blackberry, cannabis, spices and dark chocolate; slightly high-toned. Nicely high-pitched yet plush and suave on the palate, conveying serious energy and vinosity to its currant, dark raspberry, spice, cocoa and menthol flavors. Real nobility of texture here, along with a captivating sweetness and a repeating high-toned suggestion. Builds slowly and lingers long on the finish, with the firm but refined tannins fully supported by fruit. Classy juice, especially considering the sizable Merlot percentage. And more sweet than savory. Incidentally, my two samples of the 2017 Ciel du Cheval Red Wine were too volatile and porty to recommend; both finished with drying tannins." -Vinous
Robert Parker
RP
95
"Deep ruby with purple highlights, the 2017 Champoux Vineyard is a stunning success with elegance and complexity bursting at the seams. Seductive blackberry essence, dusty plum skin, dark cherries and cassis waft out of the glass with delicate dusty floral tones, dried tobacco and graphite nuances. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is balanced with rich complexity and an elegant mineral tension before offering up a clearly delineated fruit frame compounded by focus, precision and finesse. At present, the wine has a pleasingly tannic edge and finishes with a mineral tension and red-fruited succulence that continue to evolve in the mouth. Simply stellar!" -Robert Parker