Despite the challenges of '16, this is a sublimely elegant, crunchy wine, mid-weighted and aplenty herbaceous, while brimming with the urgent drinkability of a Loire red. This said, there is not an iota of cabernet franc in the blend! It is the usual understated cabernet-led cavalry, with petit verdot and merlot in minor roles. This is a Super Second vintage rather than a Premier Cru, but boy is it a delightful meld of currant, sap and finely tuned, svelte tannins. Ned Goodwin MW for James Halliday