Croix de Haut-Bernat, Cuvée Vielles Vignes – 2020 – Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion

The wine has a ruby color of medium intensity. The nose is reserved, but concentrated and offers some complexity. It expresses notes of ripe red and black fruits (morello cherry, blackcurrant, blueberry, blackberry, crushed strawberry, red cherry, red plum), herbs (fresh mint, fresh thyme, savory), spices (liquorice, clove, cumin in the background) and the subtle hints of flowers (lily, cornflower). There are also notes of torrefaction, prunes and roasted meat. On the palate, the wine expresses flavors of ripe red and black fruits (black plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, morello cherry, crushed strawberry), a few sweet and jammy touches (crème de cassis, raspberry coulis), sweet notes of dark chocolate, mint chocolate, spices (liquorice, cinnamon, vanilla) and flowers (cornflower, peony). The tannins are silky, enveloping and well-build. The finish is long and tasty, with notes of dark chocolate, bitter cocoa and chocolate prunes and refreshing touches of bitter almond and dried mint. Nice acidity, which adds lightness to this quite full-bodied and rich wine.