Château d’Arsac Margaux 2023

Unfussy and enjoyable, with silky textured tannins, fresh balanced acidities, blueberry and cassis fruits with edges of peony and iris fragrance that speak of the appellation, even while a lemongrass edge suggests full ripeness was skirted. Not the longest ageing Margaux but full of pleasure and easy to drink, no need to wait too long. Ageing 80% in French oak barrels, 55% new, with the rest in stainless steel. Philippe Raoux’s last vintage. A Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel at the last ranking, likely to be renewed with the new one later this year.