2010 Ch. Beauséjour

Intense and concentrated, with muscular but velvety tannins, a ton of limestone-induced slate and pumice stone juice that kicks in after a few moments. Nowhere near at the perfect drinking window, this was the second year with Nicolas Thienpont, and his more concentrated style, together with the natural impact of the vintage, means you need patience, but it's a wine I'd be willing to get on. There are delicate floral notes underneath the black fruits, and a salted cracker finish. Bernard Oizeau cellar master, yields of 21hl/h.

Muscular, slow to open, firm tannins that are still closing in around the fruit, at first highlighting the austere edge of limestone. Take your time with this, because there is a beautiful wave of espresso, cocoa bean, campfire smoke, cassis and damson that hits through the mid palate, and becomes irresistable after a few hours in the glass. Hovering on the edge of its drinking window, but there are decades ahead. Nicolas Thienpont and Stéphane Derenoncourt arrived as consultant winemakers in 2009, so this was the second vintage under their direction, and it's holding up extrememely well, showcasing the more concentrated style that they introduced. Bernard Oizeau cellar master, yields of 21hl/h.

The 2010 Beau-Séjour Duffau-Lagarrosse was not quite right on the nose for me, showing just a little oxidation compared to other wines. Tasted at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.