JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset Reviews

The 2015 Surrealist is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. It delivers maturing, tertiary notes of unsmoked cigars, incense, fragrant soil, and crushed rocks over a core of blackcurrant pastilles, black cherry preserves, and preserved plums, plus a touch of dried mint. The full-bodied palate is firm, grainy, and lively, with muscular fruit leading to a lingering ferrous note on the finish of this wonderfully sophisticated wine.

The 2015 Leopard is composed of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, and 11% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet colored, it needs a little swirling to reveal notes of charcuterie, tapenade, and black pepper with a core of blackcurrant cordial, prunes, blueberry compote, and menthol, plus a hint of tobacco leaf. The full-bodied palate is rich, firm, and grainy with a lively backbone, finishing long and energetic.

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon No 1 is deep garnet in color. It prances out of the glass with flamboyant scents of redcurrant jelly, warm cassis, and black cherry compote with hints of dried roses, cigar box, and sandalwood plus a waft of bay leaves. The full-bodied palate is firm and grainy with just enough freshness and loads of evolving fragrant layers, finishing long and earthy.

Containing a 4% splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Franc No. 17 has a gorgeous red currants, blackberries and black cherries nose with bay leaves, pencil lead, cedar and roses hints. Medium-bodied, fine, refreshing and elegant, it's silky textured and lively, finishing very long and minerally. Only 70 cases were made.

Made as a counterpoint to the JCB #1, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon JCB #10 shows the more powerful, concentrated, structured side to Cabernet. Blackcurrants, crème de cassis, vanilla bean, scorched earth, and a hint of background oak all emerge from this big, rich, opulent beauty. With fine tannin, full-bodied richness, and a surprisingly elegant, weightless texture, it’s a gorgeous 2015 that will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 25+ years.