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…

Medium-plus cherry/ruby core, not much fading. The nose is a little closed but shows restrained sweet red cherry and a little floral note. The palate is super-smooth with good fat. The tannins are only there if you look for them and there’s a distinctive creamy note to the finish, only one problem, there’s also a distinctive cork taint too, hence, the subdued nose I suppose. A better bottle should be rather fine.

Deep ruby, no browning. Characteristic high toned Volnay nose of raspberries and some cherry. Deeper notes lower down too. Fresh, indeed harsh palate when first opened – but 15 minutes aeration was enough to smooth the edges. Good acidity and smooth ‘I’m here if you look for me’ tannins. Lovely concentrated fruit coupled with medium-plus length. This is still young – but lovely anyway.