Confident stuff to finish the tasting with a pair of 2013s; not just the main wine but Pensées also. This is clearly still young in terms of structure and primary fruit character, but it’s already beginning to soften, as is the character of the vintage. But that's where the easy shortcuts to the watery challenges of 2013 end, because this is packed full of flavour, with blueberry and redcurrant notes, sweet liquorice and cigar box and floral overtones. An impressive wine that underlines how underappreciated vintages can offer sweet spots if you know where to look.

The 2013 Pensées de Lafleur is expressive, classy and polished to the core. Dark red cherry, plum, spices, menthol all meld together in a resonant, expressive, mid-weight wine long on personality. All the elements fall into place in a gorgeous Pensées with tons of near and medium-term appeal. In this vintage, the Pensées includes fruit from about 400 plants that are typically used for the Grand Vin.

The 2013 Les Pensees de Lafleur has a fragrant bouquet with red cherries, strawberry and a light marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, with slightly chalky tannin and decent depth of fruit, fresh and lively with an easy-going but quite edgy finish. Enjoy this Pensées de Lafleur over the next 6-8 years.

(59% merlot and 41% cabernet franc): Bright red-ruby. Despite there being more merlot in the blend than usual, the highly floral nose is strongly dominated by cabernet franc. Bright and juicy on entry, then steely and floral in the middle, with clean red berry and mineral flavors. Finishes persistent and pure, with repeating elements of red berries and flowers. One of the best second wines of the vintage, along with Petit Mouton and La Chapelle d'Ausone.

Tasted blind. Mid garnet. Leafy, graphite aroma. Quite woody on the palate but the freshness is nice. Just a bit lacking in fruit depth. Lean but elegant. (JH)