AJ | Dark, saturated black-red, right to the core. Mellow, full, unruffled and serene, both sweet-toned yet fresh: beautiful aromatic composition here. Not quite as distractingly charming as the Quinault l'Enclos, but quietly seductive too and very true to its site. Wonderful plants, fruits and flowers ... though once you start naming things you're missing the point. Mouthfilling and pliant in the mouth, rich and vivid, lively and vibrant: what a lovely natural cascade of unfussy, unconfected, pure and natural-seeming red wine. Very smooth tannins which somehow tumble up into a hugely impressive texture, seamless acidity locked in embrace with the quiet, unfussy but subtle fruits. Totally satisfying and a joy to drink any time. Thoroughly over-achieving as a second wine. Drink Dates: 2027 - 2040. 93
SF | Bright crimson satin. The nose recalls blackberries and apples, ginger and cinnamon, iodine and soft leather. Stylistically this has been 'made' to balance almost exactly the weight of fruit to the impact of the tannins, the later sandy and gentle, the former not too extracted, the ensemble therefore approachable with just a little bite to repay medium term keeping and to ensure gastronomic pairing potential. Light on its feet, and made with great skill. Drink Dates: 2028 - 2037. 90