Blue Poles 'Allouran' Merlot Cabernet Franc 2022

Merlot (67%) dominates the Cabernet Franc (33%) within this gyroscopically balanced wine. Depth of flavour and length are base plates to a elegant and stylish version of Blue Poles Allouran. More crafted as seen in the wines around the township of St-Emilion than the bruising soils near Figeac, this wine has that filigree and pedigree to match.

"A wine that’s keenly anticipated by the TWF community, I’d suggest. I don’t think they send wines elsewhere for review, so you’ll have to take my word for it, or perhaps just have some faith in the producer. Either or. I’d have loved to have tasted the 2022 Deux Écus alongside this, because I don’t feel it’s that far off in terms of quality.

Blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry, cocoa powder, or maybe a mocha thing, black tobacco, a little mint, pencils and floral perfume. It’s medium-bodied, pulls quite savoury and earthy, black olive in the mix, kind of ferrous too, a firm chamois-like grip to tannin, a bit of cranberry crunch to acidity, a little saline nori thing adds an extra dimension, and the finish is long and firm. I like that it has fruit weight and yet it feels ‘mineral’ at the same time. This is an excellent release."  Rated : 95 Points. Gary Walsh.  The Wine Front.