Château Fourcas Hosten 2015

91–93. Barrel Sample. A wine that is poised between tannins and light fruitiness, this has fine acidity and just the right amount of concentration. There is a touch of spice from the wood aging at the end.

Rich fruit – the depth of ripeness showing the continuing improvement here.

Deeper and more complex than most 2015 Listrac wines, this has a serious mineral core that gives the finish considerable impact. Impressive length and vitality. You can drink it now, but this will expand as it matures at least through 2025.

The 2015 Fourcas Hosten has a bullish, quite extravagant bouquet of high-toned blackberry and blueberry fruit; there is a sense of trying too hard to make up for the lackluster prior vintage. The medium-bodied palate shows grainy tannins that frame the tarry black fruit, and hints of pencil lead and white pepper. What this 2015 lacks is a bit of charm and elegance. There is also a sour note on the aftertaste. So-so.

Light, straight forward, crunchy, lean wine that alternates between cassis and cranberry.

Medium deep ruby red colour with a purple hue. Fresh and youthful nose of red fruit, red currant, plum, wild herbs and discreet oak. Youthful texture, medium body, digest red fruit, young but ripe tannin and a rather long finish. A style still deserving some time to soften.

The 2015 Château Fourcas Hosten is a solid effort, and certainly one of the better Listracs out there. Offering plenty of herbs, black cherries, baking spices and hints of earth, it’s medium-bodied, nicely textured and offers considerable pleasure. I like it’s balanced, fresh style and I suspect it will drink nicely for 7-8 years.

Deep purple, dense at the core, with a garnet sheen at the rim. Powerful bouquet, lovely spice, with blueberry fruit behind it, then on the second pass fine pepper notes. On the palate, it’s distinctive, showing a certain tannic muscle. It will need quite a bit of time.

Deep purple, dense at the core, with a garnet sheen at the rim. Powerful bouquet, lovely spice, blueberry-like fruit behind, with fine pepper notes showing on the second nose. On the palate, it’s distinctive, with a certain tannic muscle. Will need quite a bit of time.

Medium-bodied, austere bouquet with blue berries and oak. Light, dry palate with delicate fruit, fine sandy-grained tannins, a slender structure, medium aromatic intensity and a dry finish. 16/20 2021 - 2032

The 2015 seems more approachable, but doesn’t quite have the same brilliance. The estate is also producing a white that is improving markedly. 2018 is superb.

Full-bodied palate, very long and rich, with round, silky tannins.

A fruity, flavoursome, pleasant wine with medium body and medium length.