Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. The Desmirail -09 has a lovely, very pure Margaux bouquet with touches of crushed violet and pure black cherry mixing with blackberry and wild hedgerow. Natural and composed. The palate is medium-bodied with a mocha-tinged entry, good weight and very fine tannins, focused and fresh as a daisy towards the finish. Bon vin! Tasted October 2011.

This sports dark toast and coffee flavors up front, followed by dense, but silky-textured plum sauce, melted fig, red licorice and Lapsang souchong tea notes. The very-solid finish has ample toast, but excellent integration. Best from 2013 through 2020. 5,000 cases made. — JM

Bright, full ruby-red. Aromas of blackberry, chocolate, cedar and violet. Sweet and rich but tight, with sound acidity accenting the wine's spicy intensity and extending its dark fruit flavors. A distinctly rich style of Margaux with a long, perfumed finish. -- Stephen Tanzer