Ripe and beautifully textured, this is a balanced wine. It comes from an estate just inland from the Gironde estuary, giving richness, a licorice aroma and finely delineated black currant fruits.

Paprika, currants and berries with a touch of ripe olives. Very well-balanced and juicy, with medium body and fine, dusty tannins. Fresh, medium-long finish. Drinkable now but can hold for a few years.

An alluring red, with espresso crema, bay and singed alder aromas leading into a broad, caressing core of mulled blackberry, dark cherry and plum preserve flavors. Fine-grained, supple and long, with incense wafting off the fruit through the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.