Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux

Still drinking very well. Cedar and bramble on the nose. Quite austere at first taste but once aired some good plum, cherry and cocoa notes, fresh acidity on the uncomplicated finish.

Rose and licorice on the nose, Merlot dominates with dry and slightly acidic blackcurrant and strawberry flavours with well integrated tannins. Nicely balanced, great value château. 4 to go, drink this year or next, can't see it developing more.

Soft and easy to drink. Nose is a little off-putting at first. Slightly garbagey/wet-dog, but rich fruits too so you doubt yourself. Palate is tart cherry, floorboards, pie. Interesting - not my favorite - but very drinkable nonetheless.

Medoc Masterclass (GuildSomm) (Torque (Napa, CA)) : 54% merlot, 42% cab, 4% petit verdot. 18 months, 12 in barrel, 35% new. This shows some overt dusty oak - fine-grained, freshly-sanded sawdust. Again, very slight brett. Slight plummy dark fruit that registers as overripe methane, chocolate covered plum. Finishes bright and slightly elevated in acid. Vintage comment: This was a cool vintage, but with such a high percentage of Merlot, they seem to have gotten ripe fruit. Score: Around 8

straightforward , red fruit, lacks concentration, smooth and easy drinking, a lesser vintage ? i remember an excellent 1986 and 1990 . . . disappointing - we had 4 bottles , all the same , drink soon