2015 d'Armailhac

The 2015 d'Armailhac has a vivacious, minty, finely delineated bouquet that has a spring in its step. The palate is medium-bodied, strict and focused, with sapid black fruit laced with graphite. This classy offering gains depth with a satisfying, long aftertaste. It was quite an impressive showing. Tasted blind at the 2015 Bordeaux Ten-Year-On tasting at Farr Vintners.

This has a lovely deep ruby colour, and plenty of sappy energy in its tannic frame and reach, a little softer than some Pauillac 2015s at this stage. Refined tannins, charming, with a layering of dark fruit and undergrowth that slowly steals up on you. Jean-Paul Voelert technical director. Harvest September 16 to October 5. 33% new oak - the last vintage before new oak rises to today's 50%. A signficant year in the Mouton stable, as Baroness Philippine died in August 2015.

The 2015 d'Armailhac has a precise, graphite-scented bouquet featuring black fruit laced with light rose petal aromas - discreet but engaging. The medium-bodied palate offers quite firm tannin framing dusky, dark black fruit laced with brown spices and sage. I am just seeking a little more brightness and verve on the finish, but otherwise, this is fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.