Andrew Jefford | Dark, serious black-purple in color. Very fine aromas, and so much better than Petite Eglise that you’d think there was a second wine in between these two. This takes the plum and blackberry fruits of the place and refines and sublimates them with both root spice and incense spice; there’s a hint of Japanese green tea and attendant umami, and even some violets, too: impressive. Also rather unusual in Pomerol, since it is not lavishly or even conspicuously ripe—the normal route by which Pomerol excellence is articulated—but relatively fresh and pure. In that sense, it is perhaps the least sensual and most intellectual of the great Pomerols. The palate riffs through on exactly the promise of the aromas: deep, lively, fresh, almost pencilly plum fruit and precious little blackberry compared to most of its peers. That different style of sensuality will head off toward truffle. There is palpable oak, which will be digested, firmer tannins than most, and notably ripe acidity; it’s firm, lively, fresh, appetizing, and digestible. Very good indeed—though balancing things up, I still think there are greater wines in Margaux in 2015. | 94

Michael Schuster | fine, and densely ripe-fruited, persistent nose; rich, concentrated, firmly tannic wine; deep, flavorsome Pomerol, spicy to taste, ample, juicy, complex, mineral, very long across the palate, a wine of enormous scope, and very long and aromatic to finish. Particularly fine, complete, long-term Pomerol. This will be splendid, but it certainly needs time. 2028–45+. | 95