Andrew Jefford | Dark black-red. Fresh and curranty, if a little vague in outline. A savory, earthy note, too. Fresh and soundly fruity on the palate with plenty of piercing blackcurrant and early season plum. The acidity has the upper hand over the tannin, and there’s a lack of mid-palate warmth and wealth. Nonetheless, this is very clean and poised, and it has concentration and length: a classic cool- season claret to appeal to classicists over the short to medium term. 2018–22. | 86

Michael Schuster | A light oak vanilla clear to smell; medium-full, fresh to lively, a bit marked by its oak tannin; an attractive ripe red fruit behind the slightly dry oak frame, but this is quite stylish, with a very nice fruit core and good fruit length. If you don’t mind (or indeed enjoy) the slightly oaky texture (which food will absorb), then this is a nice lesser Margaux. Now to 2026+. | 87