Medium-plus ruby-red colour. It takes a while in the glass to start becoming interesting – I’d recommend at least 45 minutes in a decanter if drinking now. The nose just gets better and better, as the wine is finished ~90 minutes after opening there is a really lovely blend of red and black fruit and a faint high-toned floral backing. It’s certainly both concentrated and mouthwatering, but the acidity in this bottle still doesn’t quite even-out before the last drop is drunk – it’s a little harsh. Good if not great length and young but well-textured tannins. So, great nose, lots of material, but a little coarse on this showing.

Medium-plus ruby-red. The nose starts with a tight but impressive depth, quite a bit of oak-toast in there too. With time you have a much higher toned fruit profile, it never quite loses the toast, though café-creme develops. The first taste is of a similarly tight core of red berry-fruit, just a little spritz on the acidity and no obvious tannin. Medium plus finish. You need plenty of aeration to get this wine to sing a little and it really does sing. Despite an ever improving creamy finish and in spite of it being a very fine wine, it will always be in the shadow of the majestic 99 Clos des Ducs – don’t pass it by because of that though…