(2024) This is not the current vintage of this wine (the 2017 is the one most retailers seem to be stocking), but it just shows how beautifully the wine ages over several years. From an estate very much focused on Bordeaux as a model, it spent 17 months in barrels from top French coopers, 40% new. When I last tasted it in 2019 I noted "serious structure, the deep black fruit bound by firm, gripping tannins and decisive acidity," and while the tannins have mellowed a little since, that wonderful balance of the wine, and that wonderful combination of fruit and structure remains. The intervening five years have also developed its tertiary aromas suggesting game and sweet, damp earth among the more plush black fruits. The current vintage can be had for £17-£18 quite widely, which is surely very attractive for a wine of considerable pedigree and cellaring potential. Stockist and price quoted for the most recent vintage.

(2019) Michel Rolland misunderstood Andre, who was looking for 3000 cases, but Michel thought it was 3000 bottles, so they had to suddenly blend 33,000 extra bottles. 17 months in all French oak, 50% new. High, pepper, cedar and bright cassis fruit. Very juicy blackcurrant fruit, slicked with chocolate, deep plum fruit, a little balsamic, but very pure, and lovely polished tannins and svelte fruit.

(2019) This spent 18 months in all new French oak. Black, ripe, dense fruit, great darkness and drama, so concentrated, rich and balsamic. A slick of black fruit, spices and all the time little clove and floral notes floating over the the dense fruit base. Very polished, creamy, tight-grained tannins and lovely balance.

(2019) Like its "First Thought" partner, 18 months in all new French oak for this bottling, from an older vineyard on clay soils. So smoky, creamy and ripe, cassis and lovely finesse, very fragrant and lithe, such a juicy wine, great sense of alacrity.

(2019) The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot plus Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, which spends 17 months in French oak, 40% new. Much more mineral, schisty than the two stright cabs, and has that green olive tang, balsamic and cedar, a lovely leafy quality. Beautiful precision and definition, savoury, endive bitterness, lovely fruit sweetness and savoury edges. A terrific wine.

(2010) A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a smidgeon of Petit Verdot. 15 months in one thirds of new, 1 and 2 year old French 300 litre barrels. Very plush, very ripe and fruity, with creamy berries and ripe red plum. Background of cedar and spice. On the palate lots of finesse, with silky red and black fruit, and some tobacco, really quite grippy tannins.