SF | Deep of colour, with a distinctive almost nutty aromatic; black tea and herbs behind it. Plenty of weight and authority, with dark fruit to the fore, crushed pepper and soft spice furnishing the subtext. The aromatics waft across the palate and nourish the dark fruit, the quality of which is impressive. 92
AJ | Dark, dense black-red. Lifted and refined: an unexpected turn compared to its peers, as this aromatic profile is built neither on a bellow of pure fruit nor on the charm of sweetness. Compelling, unusual and intriguing aromatics which suggest beeswax and plant essences as well as pristine curranty (but relatively shy) fruits. So different from its St Estephe peers: I'm intrigued. Dense, deep, textured, long, fresh yet intricate, this is compelling wine and startlingly good, too, for a second wine. It has all the unsual 'plant essence' character which drives the aromatics. It's not super-weighty; the tannins are very refined, but that's our Zeitgeist. (Sigh!) But it's lovely wine and above all a wine of striking aromatic complexity and grace.Drink Dates: 2026 - 2039.