This has an open expressive nose with upfront notes of forest floor, dried herbs and a touch of pencil shavings. Medium-bodied on the palate, quite fleshy and supple, without the depth of a better growing season with an understated blackberry, graphite-tinged finish. Drink now-2012. Tasted July 2008.

Not nearly as concentrated, although elegant, in a much lighter style than the 2003, with notes of cedar, herbs, red and black currants as well as licorice, this is a medium-bodied, more streamlined and austere Pavillon Rouge to drink over the next decade.

Good bright ruby-red. Sappy, inky aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Supple but slightly medicinal flavors of crystallized dark berries and black cherry, framed by sound acids. Fruity but not particularly deep or long. Finishes with dusty, slightly drying tannins.

Deep crimson. Very fragrant. Very flattering. Quite elevated acidity but more charming than most Médocs. Refreshing drinking relatively early. Quite ripe flavours. Tannins not especially marked. Clean, dry finish. Great purity. (JR)