Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve: Once again, a wine that, from its beginnings, shows more firmness, complexity and breeding than its Moueix companions. Tannins of this quality in such a difficult year are very much to the credit of the winemaker. A classical Pomerol if ever there was one. 16

Michael Schuster: Lightly oaky, cedary, plummy Merlot nose. Medium- to full-bodied wine, rich and fleshy within a firm tannin. Generous, ripe, complex palate, long in the mouth, warm, savoury, exotically spiced and with excellent length. Fine, grand, promising – and austere. 17