Michel Bettane: Dark color, strong black-fruit aromas with a hint of rubber oaky notes, and phenolic undertones indicating perhaps too much vin de presse in the blend. Intense, firm dry tannins; high alcohol; needs age, but less polished than others. 16

Thierry Desseauve: Shiny dark color, cigar-box aromas, superb and fine texture; svelte, soft flesh, long and deep finish. Very classy St-Julien. 17.5

Michael Schuster: Closed, but minerally nose; nicely balanced in a slightly severe mold; a ripe, almost fleshy core fruit within a firmly tannic frame; moderate complexity, nice ripeness, good fruit length; very attractive but will need time to mellow. 2016–28. 16