Medium red-ruby. High-pitched aromas of licorice, bitter chocolate, wild herbs, spices and graphite minerality. Floral and juicy in the mouth, with excellent energy and definition to the flavors of red berries and cherry complicated by licorice and pepper. Perfumed, juicy, stylish claret with lovely fruit intensity and modest weight. Finishes with broad, palate-dusting tannins and a youthful tightness. Old school in the best way.

The 2008 d’Armailhac has a pretty, floral bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit laced with rose petals. The palate is sweet on the entry, one of the relatively corpulent 2008 Bordeaux Left Bank wines, one that is finely balanced with a touch of cedar and spice decorating the understated, easy-going finish. Very fine. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)

A dense plum/purple color is followed by a supple, evolved, medium-bodied wine revealing an elegant bouquet of red and black currants, charcoal, toast and earth. Enjoy this impressive 2008 over the next 12-15 years.

More red fruit than the Pauillac norm, and a rusty nail sort of aroma too – quite elemental and fragrant. Excellent juiciness on the finish – mouth-watering and appetising, and particularly food-friendly for that reason. (RH)