Still majoring on primary fruit aromatics at 7 years old. There is a precision and a silkiness to the tannins and structure that means the black cherry and raspberry fruits remain taut and almost austere at first, before deepening out through the mid palate, gathering together richer nuances of oyster shell, cocoa bean, espresso. Great texture and depth of expression, and will really benefit from another 3 to 5 years in bottle. 70% new oak. Rating: 94 Points; Jane Anson

A wine that overdelivers in the appellation is the 2015 Château Langoa Barton which is largely Cabernet Sauvignon yet includes 38% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Brought up in 60% new oak, it boasts a deep purple color and smokin’ good notes of caramelized cherries, crème de cassis, toasty oak, and graphite. Big, full-bodied, concentrated, and structured, with awesome purity of fruit as well as notable elegance, it needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two to three decades. Bravo! 2021 - 2051. Rating: 94 Points; Jeb Dunnuc