Aromas of chalk, savory orange peel, ripe berries, graphite and a touch of red pepper. Subtle wood spices complement the fruit. Ripe and vertical, but at the same time fresh, minerally, long and intense. (ZS)

The 2019 Le Croix Boisée is undoubtedly a wine with serious intent. It is a touch volatile, but I can live with it as it's not out of kilter. Balsamic notes meet cedar and spices, which complement the pure red cherry and plummy flavors. It is round and elegant, yet there is a sense of sleek generosity here in its gorgeous svelte tannins—I think I may have said, "Put a fork in me, I'm done," after tasting this. Such is its relaxing nature. This is a fragrant, harmonious style that sings. While 2019 was warm and dry, rain toward harvest helped retain an unexpected freshness, tightening this wine and adding precision on the finish. (RG)

Crafted from vines planted in 1974 in calcareous clay soils, the 2019 Chinon La Croix Boissée from Domaine de Pallus reveals a more elegant, fruitier bouquet than Les Pensées, with aromas of flowers, iris, dark wild berries and spices intertwined with gently oaky notes. Medium to full-bodied, juicy and tense, it's framed by structured tannins, a good depth at the core and structured tannins that segue into a long, slightly dry finish. (YC)