Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve: A tight, oaky-tasting wine – dense, tight, slightly less unctuous than the Talbot but livelier with firm and, as usual, very well-crafted tannins. In terms of personality, however, the Léoville terroir has the edge this year. What we have here seems to have an altogether simpler style. 16

Margaret Rand: Sweet, juicy, primary fruit, like boiled sweets. It’s supple and forward, though doesn’t seem at the moment to have a lot of depth. The tannins are mid-weight, and the finish is pretty. 14.5

Michael Schuster: Deep purple. Slightly herbaceous character on the nose. Firm, medium weight, with a very dry tannin. Quite elegant, but on the leaner side. Refined, delicate flavours, medium length. Bit disappointing on the basis of this sample. 14.5+?