Elegant, complex nose with dark and blue fruit, as well as spicy and earthy undertones. Sandalwood and cedar with dark chocolate, too. Full body with firm, ultra fine tannins. Structured, layered and flavorful on the palate. It's very polished with a lovely texture and a long finish. Pure and luscious. Merlot with 37% cabernet franc. Best ever.

The 2018 Nenin is a blend of 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc, weighing in at 14.6% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, the nose explodes with bombastic notions of baked black plums, stewed cherries and boysenberries with suggestions of licorice, eucalyptus, clove oil and hoisin. The medium to full-bodied palate has a lovely line of freshness lifting the ripe, rich, dark fruit layers, framed by plush tannins, finishing with lingering exotic spice notes.

This structured wine conveys a strong sense of power. Rich, black Merlot fruits are kept in shape by tannins and by freshness, a hallmark of wines from the Delon family of Leoville-las-Cases in Saint-Julien.

Ripe, and even a bit showy (atypical for the vintage), with plum, blackberry and blueberry notes bursting forth, backed by licorice and fruitcake accents. Starts to show its spine through the finish, with a tug of warm stone and tobacco adding contrast and cut. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2035.