2019, Odyssée (Médoc/Rhône Blend) Leoville Las Cases assn

ODYSSÉE - Pierre Grafeuille et Matthieu Dumarcher
VIN DE FRANCE - Blend Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Mouvedre
"un voyage entre Médoc et Vallée du Rhône"

Our third offering of this innovative and experimental wine (though now very much a successful experiment!) which is a collaboration between Château Leoville-Lascases's CEO Pierre Graffeuille and his friend and accomplice organic winemaker from the Rhone, Matthieu Dumarcher  - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Medoc; with Grenache and Mouvedre from Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas.

Now in its 5th vintage, since the inaugural 2015, this Rhone-Bordeaux blend (bottled as Vin de France) from Mathieu Dumarcher and Pierre Graffeuille is one to look out for. Savoury garrigue, redcurrant and blackberry character, touch of heat on the finish but balanced out by spice and tar. Thoroughly enjoyable, with Cabernet Sauvignon from the gravel soils of the Médoc, blended with Grenache and Syrah from pebbles and clay-limestone soils of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.
93/100 Jane Anson. janeanson.com

Milk chocolate cherry notes on the nose, ripe and welcoming. Supple, ample and fresh, this has nice definition on the palate with a bitter orange, dark chocolate and savoury garrigue herbal aspect coming through. It's still quite angular with edges of sweet spice, liquorice and toasted wood coming through but I like the confidence. It's full and bold, powerful but delivered with a controlled touch. The alcohol and wood stand out a touch and just mark the finish though there is nice tension and precision throughout. Made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc (harvest from 25/9 to 8/10), 25% Grenache from the Southern Rhône (harvest from 17/9 to 19/9) and 20% Mourvèdre from the Southern Rhône (harvest from 19/9 to 21/9).
93/100 Georgina Hindle, Decanter.