Youthful violet. Ripe black and blue fruits, candied flowers and star anise on the deeply perfumed nose; a bright mineral overtone adds vivacity. Velvety, sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering concentrated blueberry, violet, licorice and spicecake flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. Weighty but energetic, showing impressive closing thrust and sneaky tannins on the very long, blue-fruit-dominated finish.

100% Sérine and Syrah (50 years old), Landonne, Chavaroche, Côtes de Rozier, Les Rochains and Lancement. Two-thirds whole bunch, aged in new and one-year-old barrels. Purple. Particularly complex, multi-layered nose. Opulent and lifted with great salty savour on the finish. Very refined tannins. Bone dry on the end but rather haunting on the way to it. Riper fruit than usual. Edgy with light smoked-bacon notes. (JR)