2006 Desmirail

Really rather gorgeous. Smoothly polished tannins and ready to start drinking if you like vigorous red Bordeaux but this does have some of Margaux’s seductive qualities. (JR)

With an overwhelmingly vegetal, herbaceous nose to the detriment of any ripe fruit, this wine smells more like a Chinon from the Loire in an under-ripe vintage. In the mouth, the texture has some appeal, but the wine dries out very quickly and the vegetative elements dominate. This is an under-ripe, diluted wine.

Some minerality on the nose. Rather bloody and interesting good lively stuff. Very rich start. Not classic – a bit sweeter than classic – but a relative success in this vintage. (JR)