Deep blackcurrant nose with a touch of oak. Very earthy, stony and shot through with minerals, for midbodied tannins. The wine is approachable now (especially if you are a tannin lover), but the wine is structured for further development. Promising. (W)

Brightly fruited with a hint of green capsicum on the nose. Midbodied, on opening this was fairly drying and short, however with air some sweet blackcurrant fruits and mint notes emerged. Tasted alongside a bracket of left bank Bordeaux, the sweetness of the fruit was highlighted. General consensus was that the wine was at a peak. (W)

Floral with red fruits and cedar on the nose, classic Margaux. The palate was midbodied and lean, dry and angular, with the fruit having dropped away and a touch of cedar present.

Opulent blackcurrant and graphite nose. On opening, acid sticks out on entry and dominates through the palate. With air, the acid integrates better and the fruit rounds out, balancing. A good Pauillac, however give this one plenty of air.

Reserved on the nose and palate, fairly austere, with some notes of gravel and earth. Unbalanced acidity throughout on opening which recedes with air. It’s a moderate effort and in line with the vintage, but not one of the better wines of this chateau.

Opaque garnet, no bricking. On the nose, an opulent blackcurrant with notes of dried coconut and baking spices. Rich palate, a luxurious blackcurrant runs through the entry and midpalate, persistent with fine tannins and reasonable acidity. Still retains a lot of its fruit, and held up very well against a bracket of left bank Bordeaux.

A cheeky bonus wine to taste. Blackcurrants predominantly on the nose along with violets. It’s all still fairly primary on the palate, long chains of firm midbodied tannins and blackcurrant. Fun to drink but better to cellar.