Beausejour Duffau-Lagarosse 2015

Offers lovely richness, with a very caressing feel to the layers of warm plum compote and boysenberry confiture. Underneath all the fruit is a very fine-edged chalky thread, yet the feeling overall is velvety and lush. A beauty.—J.M.

The 2015 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) is a blend of 90% Merlot picked between 25 September and 5 October, 10% Cabernet Franc picked on 5 and 12 October. It was cropped at 34 hl/ha. It has a very intense, quite opulent bouquet, just like the 2015 Pavie-Macquin from barrel, with fig-tinged red cherry fruit, hints of kirsch and glycerin. The palate likewise shows more refinement and class, the tannins fine and the acidity well judged. It has a fresh finish, though it just needs to muster a touch more tension and sense of energy right on the finish. Let's see what happens during its élevage, because it has the materials to turn into a very fine Saint Emilion.

A Stéphane Derenoncourt wine. Nicolas Thienpont has been making this wine since 2009. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 34 hl/ha yield. Very dark crimson. Brooding and vibrant on the nose. Sweet and fully ripe - almost Pomerol-like in its intensity. Big and bold. Even a bit brutal.