Stephen Brook: Very deep red. Discreet, black-fruit nose. Lush, juicy, blackcurranty, with an immediate impact and appeal. Concentrated, lively, packed with fruit but some minerality, too; it has the invigorating character of good claret without any sense of its being overworked or striving to impress. Accessible but balanced and structured; it should age very nicely, especially given the distinct freshness on the finish. Lovely wine, with the bonus of immense drinkability. 17.5

Andrew Jefford: Dark black-red. Slightly sweeter fruits and slightly more evident oak than in the aromatic profile of Léoville Barton, but warm and graceful. Mouth-filling and lush. Bigger-boned than Léoville Barton, more exuberant, equally ripe, though with a shorter, less complex finish, a less felty tannic grain, and lesser fruit purity, too. A clear style choice between these impressive wines: This is for the barbecue, that is for the candlelit dinner. 15.5

Michael Schuster: Ripe, sweet fruit to smell; very nicely balanced, medium-full claret, supple and with a fine-grained, gentle tannin. Long, elegant, even, classic St-Julien, with a notably fine texture and lovely length. Complete, harmonious, typical—what more can one ask? A lovely St-Julien. 2012–20+. 16