Darker almost Sauternes colur. A nose that grows and grows, eventually becoming smoky, almost marmalade, apricot, some nuts and dried fruit – that’s so special. A line of lavour, starting tight, sowly melting tiny complexities over the palate. Vibrant, complex, superb finishing. Maybe the 1998 is the most impressive finishing of all these Bouchards, but all the same, this is simply great wine. In the context of such a poor vintage, can there be a greater wine?

A little deaper colour. The aromas start a little heavy and more forward, at the core there is fine complexity but this builds additional dimensions and balance as it aerates – a few minutes in the glass, and the heavyness is gone replaced by a ’roundness’. Really beautiful texture, complex, and with mind-changing mid-palate complexity. As it builds in power it develops an almost buttery texture, but at its core rather than over your teeth and cheeks. Only eventually does the acidity leach from the side of your mouth to prolong the finish. Really special and very approachable today!