Bordeaux 2013 – St-Estèphe

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Plummy, black cherry. Tannins are a bit square, but not too intrusive. Doesn’t quite have the body to match the structure. Perfectly ripe fruit though. (RH)

13%

92% Cabernets, 6% Merlot (normally more like 25%), 2% Petit Verdot. Rich, scented perfume on the nose, medium body and pretty intense tannins – very compact and restricting on the palate. Deserves some maturation, but doesn’t have the body and concentration to go very long term. (RH) 13.1%

91% Cabernets, 6% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Lovely medicinal character, classic blackcurrant fruit, dry but not at all astringent. The tannins are grippy but welcoming. This suits its medium body – seems to be very restrained and traditional. Lovely! (RH) 13%

60% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc. Rich, succulent, sweet black fruit and an integrated herbal character. So smooth and polished – impeccable selection, no doubt. This has a very fine sheen. (RH)

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Light body, crisp palate and very tenderised tannins – sumptuous and pixel-perfect structure. The fruit is pretty simple. (RH)

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Closed on the nose, very strong tannins binding everything together – great depth and concentration and power – yet at such modest alcohol. This is a rare advantage of 2013; flavour ripeness at lower alcohol. Pretty impenetrable at this stage. Deserves the same cellaring as a ‘normal’ vintage to give it the best opportunity. (RH)

Sweet, generous, juicy fruit. Lots of smoky character too. Rounded, supple but with fine tannic definition on the finish. Good, ageworthy potential. (RH)

Black cherry, firm tannin and something a tiny bit acetic on the nose. Very furry finish. (RH)

Earthy, juicy and savoury – a good, honest combination. Pretty fierce tannins – presents the 2013 conundrum of whether the lightish body and concentration will age sufficiently to match. I wouldn’t bet on it. (RH)

69% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc. Pure cassis and cedar – very classic, very correct. Manages to conjure plenty of body as well – really satisfying and complete. Modest length. Very traditional, yet with modern drinkability. (RH)

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot. Lovely aromas, though in a rather constrained fashion. Luscious fruit and beautifully plush tannins. Attractive dark chocolate and tobacco-smoke flavours, good persistence. Very good – delicately rendered, but with no compromise on fruit character. (RH)

Sweet black cherry, very high, super-fine tannins. Liquorice and leather to finish. Slightly lacking in concentration, as is 2013’s wont. Still, well-formed flavours with good length. (RH)

Blackcurrant, milk chocolate, light tannins, quite straightforward and easy drinking. (RH)

Blackcurrant, menthol, mint leaf. Strong, mouth-coating tannins, medium body and tight structure. A bit mean, after the lifted aromatic start. (RH)

52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Light but very clean flavours with an attractive bitterness and plenty of plump black cherry fruit. Very melded tannins – lovely suppleness. Well made, no betrayal of poor conditions – just easy drinking and pleasurable. (RH)