L'ORMARINS SAGNAC 2011 (in wooden box)

A subtle floral hint lifts the rich nose of fruitcake, black berries, herb and peppery spice. Ripe, soft-textured and juicy black fruit is the first flavour in the mouth. Vibrant spice – nutmeg, pepper and cinnamon – then make their presence felt, followed by a creamy oak note. The wood, which is harmoniously knit with the fruit and fresh acid, lends both stature, frame and without taking over or dominating. Deeply rewarding with rounded mouthfeel and a long elegant tail. Genteel and refined.

Pale salmon hue, with generous bouquet of lime cordial, oyster shell, fresh sea breeze and apple. Tang of crunchy, crisp green apple and raspberry, vivacious and bright, are immediately apparent on the palate. Lively fizz and energy of the mousse lends additional appeal. Lime marmalade and citrus zest appear before a fantail of toasty brioche, sourdough and creamy lees unfurls. Poised, focused, dry and cohesive to the end.

Gentle floral nuance and subtle herb note on ripe plum and black cherry nose. The entry is textural: warm, rounded, soft and enveloping. Rich black cherry, mature plum and fruitcake flavours mingle with a lighter spice element. Lovely cohesion of those tasty fruit notes, with spice and structured oak that lends form and backbone without allowing the tannins to dominate or dry out the mouth. It remains fresh and succulent with a polished smoothness and rewardingly long finish.

Complex nose which is a heady mix of inky, hedgerow fruit, trace of spice, dusting of cocoa powder and a brooding baked plum. The palate is immediately engaging in its succulent brightness, with abundant blueberry and black fruit notes. They lead to inky depths with good density where the rich cocoa, cinnamon powder and oak spice flavours are apparent. The ripeness is well judged and offset by its time in oak, cohesive, taut and compact with lovely poise and balance. Tannins are fine and dry and counter the lively acid freshness and fruit vibrance. Impressive, sleek and elegant with a persistent tail.