Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Croizet Bages gives up vibrant notes of crushed red and black currants, Morello cherries and baked raspberries with touches of tobacco, dried herbs and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is filled with generous red and black fruit preserves, supported by firm, grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing with an invigorating herbal lift.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot; 50% new oak. Barrel sample. Darkest purple crimson. Like several other Pauillacs, finely scented with fresh black fruit, gently cedary and with a gentle sweetness too. On the palate, juicy at the core but clothed with firm, grainy tannins. A bit of a wall of tannins on the finish. (JH)

Tasted blind. Transparent crimson. Simple and quite sweet. Fairly light-bodied. (JR)

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot. Mid-deep ruby colour. Slightly mulchy, herbal fruit on the nose. The fruit on the palate is somewhat dilute, allowing crunchy tannins to dry out the finish with a puckering, pithy green spice. Hollow heat lingers. (TP)