Salt-licked berry fruits shot through with liquorice and cocoa powder, with supple tannic architecture. This totally delicious, among the stars of the lineup. Easy to mistake this with a great St Emilion, or even Pomerol with the depth and flesh of the blackcurrant and cassis fruit. Ready to go now, or can hold for a few years. Ageing in a mix of oak barrels, oak casks and terracotta jars. Thomas Duclos consultant. 1ha clay and limestone, organic farming.

92+ The 2020 Rouncey checks in as 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc that spent 22 months in foudre (40%), once-used barrels (40%), and the balance in amphora. It's one of the bigger, richer wines in the lineup (it's from deep, clay soils) and has a saturated ruby hue as well as a powerful nose of blackcurrants, darker cherries, damp earth, leafy herbs, and flowers. Blind, I might guess Pomerol. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, is has a deep, concentrated mid-palate, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. This powerhouse of a Castillon needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will evolve nicely over the following decade.