Andrew Jefford | Deep, dense, saturated black-red, and black- scarlet at the rim. Rich, coffee-and-truffle-like aromas, with lots of cream beneath. Densely fruited and deeply plummy but, unlike some of the other ultra-ripe wines this year, there is no dryness here, no exaggerated or over-evident oak, and no battle between the extract and tannins and the acidity of the vintage (and of this high site); it is actually a dramatic, deeply fruited wine, with a lyricism and an intensity which convinces. (Even though I feel that the chiffon St-Emilions work better in 2016.) This deeply fruited but pure and vivacious wine will certainly have its fans. | 92

Michael Schuster | Dense, ripe blackberry, but still relatively closed to smell; full-bodied, very tannic wine; a strong, slightly fiery presence, with plenty of deep, mouthcoating, sweetly ripe fruit behind a firmly tannic and alcohol forceful frame; abundant, chewy, long to taste and long to finish. Good quality, yes, but a challengingly powerful personality to combine with food. 2035–50+. | 93