Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 La Fleur Peyrabon rocks up with notions of baked blackberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant pastilles plus wafts of underbrush, cloves, pencil lead and vanilla pod. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is filled with expressive black fruits and a grainy texture, finishing with a spicy lift.

The 2016 La Fleur Peyrabon has a perfumed, floral bouquet not a million miles away from Margaux. I appreciate the definition and freshness here. The palate is medium-bodied, not a powerful Pauillac but very elegant. The tannins here seem very fine and there is wonderful tension towards the finish. Maybe not a long-term proposition—it may need more body—but it is a beautiful wine that should give a lot of pleasure over the next 10-15 years.