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The 2017 Ripeau is powerful and yet nuanced. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, new oak, super-expressive and inviting with a silky texture and racy perfume. The 2017 is a very pretty, floral and nuanced wine and a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next 10-15 years. Tasted two times.
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James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
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The 2017 Ripeau is a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose features a good intensity of savory/meaty notions over a core of plum preserves, blackberry pie and fruitcake with wafts of sautéed herbs, spice cake and unsmoked cigars. Medium-bodied, the palate is refreshing, soft and juicy with just enough fruit and a spritely lift on the finish.
The 2017 Ripeau, which is aged in 100% new oak for 14 to 16 months, has more red than black fruit, touches of pressed rose petals with red cherry and crushed strawberry aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, veins of dark chocolate infusing the black fruit towards the finish. It just lacks persistence on the finish; flees out the exit door too quickly.
Deep purple-hued, the 2017 Chateau Ripeau comes from an up-and-coming estate not far from Cheval Blanc and Figeac. It offers loads of plum and blackcurrant-laced fruits as well as notes of licorice, graphite, chocolate, truffle, and unsmoked tobacco. This plush, medium to full-bodied, opulent 2017 has ample depth of fruit, good acidity, and a balanced, classic, elegant style. It's going to benefit from just short-term cellaring and keep for 15-20 years.