Deep, rich forest fruits and blackcurrants with a hint of chocolate and cassis. There’s an underlying mineral character which rumbles along under the fruit, exposing the quality of the terroir. The palate is strikingly rich and fruit-forward, with a lovely, intense mouthful of black cherries, plums and blackcurrants, all underpinned by a graceful limestone note and tannins which are soft-edged yet add significantly to the sense of structure. After half an hour in the glass it becomes a little less austere, with the mid-palate fleshing out beautifully and yet retaining a pleasing savoury note on the finish. This is impressive stuff – the pedigree really shows.

Quite dark and brambly aromas here with a wealth of intense cassis, dark cherries and mulberries. Tannins are smoothly assertive, crafting length into a fresh, dark-berry-infused finish. Try from 2022.

The 2015 Les Cerisiers is pliant, supple and delicious, not to mention one of the very best values in wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, chocolate and sweet spice are all front and center in this succulent, juicy red from Hubert De Boüard and Dominique Hebrard. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2015 De Francs's Les Cerisiers is once again shaping up to be a tremendous value. Dark cherry, mocha, chocolate, spice and new leather flesh out as this succulent, forward wine shows off its winning personality. Expressive floral and spice notes on the finish give the wine good freshness, something that is not easy to find at this level in 2015. The Cerisiers is a serious wine among its peers, there is no doubt about it. Tasted two times.

The 2015 Francs les Cerisiers is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a tight fist of blackberry and raspberry fruit on the nose, some new oak to be absorbed during its élevage. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, quite saline in the mouth with a touch of black olive on the finish. A bit of a brassy Côtes de Francs - but there is nothing wrong with that. (Neal Martin)