Deep ruby-red, fades to mahogany at the rim. The nose is forward and feral; coffee and chocolate covered leaves mix with roast meat. This is a surprisingly subtle wine, the concentration quickly creeping up on you into the mid-palate – and good concentration it is – but disappearing way-too fast in the finish. Furry, velvety tannins that are well-balanced to the rest of the wine. In isolation, not bad, if rather anonymous, but this was drunk with Mortet’s ’98 villages Gevrey, and on this day, everyone preferred the Mortet…

Deep colour. Dense, deep nose with hints of earth, focused black fruit and hints of pepper and cedar. Good concentration with a fabulous burst of black fruit and mouth wrapping tannins. Very young and very much enjoyed.

Very deep colour – looks like Bordeaux. The nose starts with plenty black and red fruit-skin notes but slowly becomes less giving and settles-down to an interesting spice note redolent of cumin. The palate is very polished and concentrated with mouth-wrapping velvet tannin that’s well matched to sweet black-shaded fruit and acidity that you hardly notice. The finish, like the fruit, is quite primary and of good length. Not an austere CV and easily drinkable but one that could do with at least another 5-7 years before assessing. Very fine.

Medium-plus ruby with a brick rim. Slightly subdued nose which is sweet and primary with high toned red berry fruit, perhaps some blueberry too. Excellent red and black cherry fruit extract on the faintly oaky palate. The dry tannins are still evident – though not rough. This is currently a little austere, but a wine with a very sneaky, creamy length. Despite the lovely fruit, this wine is certainly less dense than the previous two, very fine though – I’d say this is nowhere near ready and would suggest waiting another 3-4 years before trying again.

Medium-plus colour. Thick cherry compote nose. Lovely fruit, thick tannins and good acidity. This has an earthy character and is a touch astringent, but is very good indeed.