Medium- to full-bodied and chalky but charming, with definition and clarity. 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc. Best ever.

One of the absolute stars of the vintage in St-Emilion. Smells incredible with such perfumed violet fragrance and clear blackcurrant scents, really so vivid with a vibrant pink colour in the glass. Supple and juicy, clearly refined from the start with super fine tannins – gently grippy – with a lick of liquorice, wet stone and some tobacco and dark chocolate. I like the clarity and clean grip to this. Feels fresh, so St-Emilion and so limestone based with fantastic energy, a touch chalky but not dominant. Alive with enough grip and flesh to be weighty but really not fleshy or chewy, and very cool – cola, blueberries and flint. Delicious and accomplished with everything in harmony and nothing sticking out. This should shape up nicely over ageing with even a few minutes in the glass gaining in chew and texture. (GH)