The 2010 Bordeaux wines from the Right Bank are fresher than their 2009 counterparts, it is claimed.

Wine expert James Lawther told Decanter he was wary of proclaiming 2010 to be better than 2009 at this early stage, but the Right Bank bottles are certainly well balanced.

Mr Lawther told the publication that 2009 was accessible, with high tannins and strong fruit flavours but 2010 has the acidity.

"I get the impression these wines are more classic and will age longer – but we still have a long way to go," he explained.

Winemaker Stephan von Neipperg at Chateau Canon la Gaffelier explained that controlling extraction was the key problem with 2010, which has "outstanding concentration".

Denis Dubourdieu, a consulting winemaker and director of the Institute of Vine and Wine Sciences at the University of Bordeaux, recently told Agence France-Presse that 2010 Bordeaux is "liquid beauty".