Andrew Jefford: Dark black-red. Sweet and almost a little toffeed when first poured, as if there was a tiny oxidative note in here. No obtrusive oak and no green tones, but for the time being the fruit is in abeyance and this aromatic profile lacks a little allure for me. After a while in the glass, the wine begins to lift and open; some sweet leafiness becomes apparent, which helps freshen and dignify the overall appeal. Vivid, fresh, lively, and pure on the palate, and a much better wine than the aromas suggested, so perhaps we have caught it at a tricky developmental phase. It doesn’t have the ripeness of Smith Haut Lafitte nor the structure and depth of Haut-Bailly, but it is purer and more poised than either of those, and for me a little more successfully ripened than Haut-Bailly. Now to 2022. 90

Michael Schuster: Dense, ripe, oaky nose, but still young; nicely balanced, moderately rich, medium-full wine, fresh in acidity, finely firm in tannin; sweet and fresh to taste, ripe, ample, succulent, and persistent, a fine, elegant expression of Pessac-Léognan, a very successful 2013. Will need a bit of time but should be a very rewarding glass. 2023–33+. 91