Potensac 2012

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux tasting. The 2012 Potensac surpassed my expectations from barrel, because as I stated back then, it has developed more flesh to counterbalance those prenatal hard tannins. It has an attractive if unspectacular raspberry, strawberry and tobacco-scented bouquet, quite closed at first, opaque, but opening with several minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe blackberry fruit laced with tobacco and sea salt. I appreciate the finish here. There is satisfying substance, a gentle grip and a classic pencil lead, almost Pauillac-like finish. Enjoy this upstanding Médoc from Jean-Hubert Delon over the next 10-12 years. Tasted January 2016.

Glowing ruby – not that deep-coloured. More delicate than this wine usually is and already providing classic drinking. The dry tannins sneak up only on the end – food essential! But it’s not dense.

Blackcurrant and black cherry give a good mix of flavours on the nose. The palate starts with sweet fruit goes firmer in the middle but the sweetness of the fruit comes through giving richness on the back palate. The finish is fresh yet black fruited. 2018-28.

A Médoc red that has outperformed its lowly appellation, as it nearly always does, this isa serious claret, albeit one showing more Merlot than usual. Very perfumed, with sweet,toasty oak, some liquorice and cassis and a long finish. The tannins are a little firm, butshould soften in bottle.Drink: 2018-28