I loved this at en primeur, and again it is fully delivering on its promise. It has a high proportion of Cabernet Franc for a Pessac Leognan wine, which can make it a bit austere early on, but it has now had two years to fatten up. Layers of chocolate enrobed tannins and dark bilberry and cassis fruits make this a classically-styled wine, still taut but not so austere. Great wine with long ageing potential. (JA)

The 2015 is an interesting blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon that saw a fair amount of whole clusters in the fermentation and 90% of the blend brought up in barrel and the rest in amphoras. Its deep purple color is followed by a beautiful perfumed of ripe currant and plums fruits, chocolate, ground herbs, and damp earth. With full-bodied richness, terrific ripeness, building tannin, and an underlying sense of elegance and purity that only grows with time in the glass, it needs 4-5 years of cellaring but is going to cruise in the cellar for 3-4 decades.

Dense and broad, with warm dark plum, fig and blackberry confiture flavors rolling over one another, backed by a broad swath of tar and roasted apple wood. This is packed with serious grip, featuring bramble, licorice snap and intense sweet tobacco notes on the back end, all of which combine with the fruit for a powerfully rendered finish. Distinct and impressive. Best from 2025 through 2040. (JM)