2010 Grand Puy Lacoste

83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot. 42 hl/ha. Deep, youthful colour. Dark fruit with a blackcurrant note and a bit of complexity and intrigue as well. Lovely texture with plentiful but refined tannins. Length and depth. Pauillac power but harmonious. Clearly built to age. (JL)

Aromas of deep black currants, tar, sandalwood and light touches of black pepper and graphite. Really impressive, with a medium to full body and superfine but tight tannins. Really long at the end, lasting almost a minute. 83% cabernet sauvignon and 17% merlot. 13.5% alcohol. This is just starting to open and unwind, with complexity from the refined plushness. Hard to say when the best time to drink this is. Drink now or anytime in the next 20 to 30 years. From a vertical tasting at the winery.

Intense and closed off at first, full of espresso and bitter black chocolate. I have tasted this a few times over the past few years, and it is still not budging. There is plenty of loganberry and blackcurrant fruit here but it continues to be dominated by tannins, spiced turmeric, cloves and crushed rocks. Needs more time and you have to hope you catch it at the right moment - or really ensure a long carafe.