Stephen Brook: Very deep red. Smoky nose, plums and coffee, a good deal of oak. Rich, plump, rather soft-centered but it’s concentrated and some weight of fruit and a good deal of spice from the oak. It does lack acidity and verve, but it offers a good mouthful of fruit. Not for keeping, I expect, but enjoyable now. 16

Stephen Browett: Medium-deep color. A gorgeous, inviting nose with sexy new oak and a hint of barbecue smoke. On the palate it is modern but very typically St-Emilion, too. Lovely and smooth. Supple, creamy, and lingering on the palate, with vanilla and Asian spices complementing the ripe cherry fruit. Very fine. Along with Clos Fourtet the best wine of the third St-Emilion flight. 16

Michael Schuster: Dark red; soft, sweet nose; very nicely balanced, rich, and supple, elegant medium-weight with a particularly fine tannin texture; delicate, but long in the mouth, ripe, silky and refined; overall soft but with good length and a nice freshness for the year. Very attractive already. 16