Andrew Jefford | Dark black-red; raisiny, dry, lacking in fruited force, though sweet and enticing in that sweetness. Very dense, ambitious, searching, and tannic on the palate: serious wine. But is this the right vintage for that approach? It’s a little bit dry and grim in its seriousness, whereas the vintage seems to call out for as much fresh fruit as possible to sing out. It’s honestly a well-made, dense, and meritorious wine that I would enjoy drinking, but I think I would have enjoyed it even more with just a little more fresh fruit. The complete opposite in this sense of Clos des Jacobins, which it follows in the tasting order. But it would be unfair not to score them at the same level, and of course Jean Faure is a better aging prospect. 2018–25. | 88

Michael Schuster | Lightly oaky nose behind a gently ripe fruit; medium-full, firmly tannic for the available fruit; red-fruit flavor of very modest scope and length. Another one needing food, rich fare—something to take the edge off the acidity. Now to 2024. | 85