Tasted at the Mouton-Rothschild vertical in London, the 2011 Mouton-Rothschild is probably the "weakest" of the releases between 2008 and 2012, although that would be unfairly disparaging what is a perfectly respectable, if rather unexciting Mouton. Here, it has those graphite and cedar aromas present and correct, the former a little more accentuated and with a light sea-spray note emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with cedar and a slight peat-like note infusing the black fruit, rigid in its youth but nicely delineated. As I discerned out of barrel, what it lacks is that peacock's tail on the finish, bolting out of the exit door before you have really got to know each other. Tasted April 2016.

This is now a little tight but shows firmness and raciness with pretty austerity. Full and tight with silky tannins and a long, fresh finish. Firm acidity is holding it back. Needs two or three years to open. Better in 2018.

Delivers a pure beam of cassis, raspberry and cherry, with lightly toasted spice notes and a firm plum skin edge holding sway on the finish. Stretched out somewhat already, this seems nicely tuned and has good buried minerality. Tasted non-blind. Score range: 93-96 –JM

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc. Lots of temporary vat houses while the work was going on. Light and a bit disjointed. Bit of chocolate, bit of acid, bit jagged. Lots of structure.

Cassis and gravel in the nose, that become further complicated with notes of cedar wood, tobacco, black raspberry and cigar box accents. The wine has a gritty, polished sensation on the palate, with loads of fresh, sweet, round textured, blackberry and dark plum notes in the finish. With bottle age, this could score higher.

EN PRIMEUR - Deep garnet-red with crimson. Ultra ripe nose with jammy notes and evident oak showing toasted accents. Full attack, robust structure reinforced by oak tannins. Firm, stocky and tannic finish.