Domaine de Pallus La Rougerie 2019

V 96 "The 2019 La Rougerie is a silky wine that glides its way across your palate. It's pretty oaky on both the nose and palate when compared to the rest of the Pallus range, but that would be due to the 18 months in barrel—let's not forget Bertrand Sourdais also makes wine in Ribera del Duero. It's in no way drying or overtly oak-derived tannic, allowing the polished, ripe fruit and fine fruit tannins to shine. This is one for the long haul with its intense concentration of fruit. If only all Chinons exuded this confidence and sophistication, as if they were a Bordeaux classified growth—we'd all be better for it." Rebecca Gibb MW, www.vinous.com