2010 Marquis de Terme

Stately purple red, this is still just on the edge of primary, smudging towards tertiary but the fruit retains its vigour and fruit-forward character. Bilberry, cassis, blackberry, red pepper, cumin and rosemary spice, even an edge of roasted vanilla bean and grilled cedar. Great stuff, plenty of life ahead of this beauty. Laurent David estate director, 50% new oak for ageing, Diam cork. Sénéclauze family owners.

Grilled cedar and almond notes on the aromatics, this is extremely tight, touches of capsicum and raspberry leaf. A little disappointing, with austerity of the tannic architecture making it hard to read right now. Ludovic David as director.

The 2010 Marquis de Terme was picked late from October 6 to 22 and matured for 16 months in 50% French oak. It is quite backward on the nose with pure blackberry and blueberry fruit and touches of pressed violet mixed with a little bacon fat. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fine acidity, a little more delineation than in 2009 and more salinity towards the tobacco-tinged finish. It's very fine, but a touch of dryness on the finish makes the 2009 more appealing. Tasted at the Marquis de Terme vertical.