Chateau Pape Clement Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 2014

Intense blackberry and blueberry aromas as well as mushroom undertones. Violets, too. Sweet tobacco. Full-bodied and layered with polished tannins. Very long and beautiful. Give it two or three years to show what it has but already a beauty.

The 2014 Pape Clément is strikingly beautiful. Dark, sumptuous and creamy, it exudes class. Black cherry, mocha, spice, espresso, menthol and new leather are all pushed forward in a spherical, rich wine that captivates all the senses. As always, this is an overt style, but the purity of the fruit comes through nicely now that the oak has started to integrate. There is plenty of the Magrez trademark richness, but done in a slightly more restrained style than in the past. This is a gorgeous wine by any measure. Tasted three times.

The 2014 Pape-Clement has a very classy bouquet with red berry fruit, cranberry and strawberry mixed with clove, sandalwood and a hint of black olive. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very focused and beautifully integrated with the oak. It just builds in the mouth towards a very confidence, sophisticated, tensile finish with graphite lingering on the aftertaste. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.