2008 La Tour de Mons

39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 56% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. The temperature control system in the winery was improved, with hot water production and an automatic cleaning system for the barrels. Blackish ruby. Pale rim. Very light nose. And marked acidity. Not really quite enough fruit or backbone. Pretty tart end. Picked slightly underripe? (JR)

45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Grapes are hand-harvested from Soussans in the Bordeaux region and then matured in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The wine is then matured in small oak barrels for 12 months, of which 30% of the barrels are new. The wine is bottled unfiltered. No residual sugar. Winemakers – the Clauzel-Binaud family. 175 stores. Loose and light and fresh and expressive even if the oak is just slightly too obvious. But a reasonable buy on the high street. (JR)

This medium-bodied, finesse-styled wine exhibits sweet berry fruit intermixed with herbs and spice box. Light on the palate and refreshing, this picnic-styled effort should be consumed over the next 5-6 years.