Offers some blackberry on the nose and palate, with toasty oak and coffee bean character. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Well done.

Composed of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, the earthy, spicy 2008 offers up notes of underbrush, red and black fruits and subtle smoke in its medium to full-bodied, solidly tannic, structured personality. It will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. The nose on the HBL 2008 has good intensity with blackberry, cedar and graphite aromas, some nice mineralité coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation, quite supple and fleshy in the mouth, although not as complex or as long as the nose suggested. Tasted January 2012.