Whatever you do, don't assume that this is the second wine of Leoville Las Cases: it's not - it's quite a character in itself. With a touch more Merlot in the blend than you find in Las Cases and slightly less new oak, it's a wine which is still very much Cabernet-driven and classy. Both plush and plummy whilst retaining that fabulous 2011 vibrancy and energy, it's worth remembering the CDM vineyards back onto some very classy vineyards including Chateau Talbot. Above all, and this isn't meant to be patronising, this wine was fun: fun to taste, and with a real dance on the palate. Delicious and one to watch out for.

A top-notch success that tips the scales at 13.6% natural alcohol, this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc was cropped at only 27 hectoliters per hectare. Representing 40% of the entire production, this is a seriously endowed, deep purple-colored 2011 with lots of pure creme de cassis and black cherry liqueur notes intermixed with notions of cedar, vanillin and spice box. With good acidity, ripe tannin and surprising concentration as well as depth, this classic St.-Julien has once again over-performed.

This is solid, with singed apple wood giving way to damson plum and blackberry fruit. Dark roasted vanilla bean and tar notes take over on the finish, which has nice stuffing.-J.M.

This is very structured for the vintage with firm yet polished tannins and bright acidity. Lemony finish. Minerally. Full and dense. Nose is bright and floral. From Leoville Las Cases. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc.

The Clos du Marquis is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc cropped at 27hl/ha. It has a well-defined, minerally bouquet that would benefit from a little more fruit intensity. It is certainly broody and introspective compared to the 2010. The palate is more promising with a firm backbone, fresh acidity, foursquare and masculine with good substance and weight towards the finish, more sense of completeness than the aromatics suggests. It does not quite have the persistency of a great Clos du Marquis but it is very fine. Tasted April 2012.

[65CS/22M/13CF] Very closed on the nose; firm, slender, gently sinewy wine, with fresh but not obtrusive acidity, and firm, fine textured tannin; dry, gravelly red fruit flavours long, fresh and even across the palate, long and gentle to finish, with a lovely fruit persistence. Lacks a little ‘sweetness’ for many palates perhaps – and a touch of severity overall. Good, though. 2020-30 [M.Schuster, Bordeaux Mar/Apr 2012]

Drink 2018-2035 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc. 40% new barrels. Inky black cherry with black core. Wonderfully refined cassis fruit purity with just the slightest hint of cedar. Lovely elegance with fine fruit fragrance on the palate. Refined dry texture without any dryness. Top-class Cabernet character. Great length with finesse in the tannins to the very end. Classic St-Julien. (JH)