LES ASTÉRIES

The Les Asteries has a well defined, lifted dark cherry and liquorice-scented bouquet that is bright and perky! The palate is medium-bodied with svelte ripe tannins, very pure with wonderful minerality and tension on the crisp finish. This is one of the best Les Asteries that I have tasted. Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2013)

The 2012 Les Asteries, composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc planted in limestone soils, is one of the top wines in Malthus’s 2012 portfolio. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color along with copious aromas of crushed rocks, spring flowers, blue and black fruits and a hint of licorice. The wine is medium to full-bodied, surprisingly rich, ripe and full-throttle. Readers who love minerality in addition to copious quantities of ripe fruit and power will love this effort from a challenging vintage. It should keep for 10-11 years. This micro-production (around 450-500 cases) estate is owned by Englishman Jonathan Malthus. 2013 - 2024 Rating: 91-93 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2013)

There isn’t a lot of this to go round, at only 300 cases, which is bound to push up demand for Jonathan Maltus’ garage red. The soils here are clay limestone, rather than sand, and it shows in the structure and concentration of the wine. The oak is a little clamorous at the moment, but all the component parts are there for the blend to come together in bottle: acidity, tannin and blackberry fruit richness. Drink: 2020-30. Rating: 92 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2013)