Medium ruby red. From a rather powdery red fruit beginning the nose slowly takes on more interest and depth – though not obviously Vosne like the Beaumonts – kirsch, a little plum and cherry. The palate is fresh with tasty medium concentrated fruit. The wood is not that well integrated giving plenty of grain and a bitter edge to the finish – more-so than the 2000. Improves with aeration. This will also be a very nice wine, but needs keeping a little longer than the 2000, despite not seeming so concentrated.

Deep ruby colour, more mature looking than anticipated. Some high toast oak though not overpowering, behind it there is cherry, ‘mixed spice’ and coffee. In the mouth, very smooth though oaky. Good acidity and still some tannin, though quite refined. There is cherry fruit and a particularly long vanilla crème finish. Provided over the next 5+ years it puts on a bit more weight in the mid-palate, this will be exceptionally good.