Château Beauséjour Duffau Lagarrosse, Grand Cru Classé St Emilion,

Spicy, nuanced, raspberry and red cherry fruits laced with sage, cloves, turmeric, incense and baked herbs. The first of the extreme 'new climate' vintages in Bordeaux, and this gives a perfect example of why limestone soils are so well placed to cope with excessive heat. Stephane Derenoncourt and Nicolas Thienpont consultant winemakers. Served blind during the Connoisseur Week.

Good healthy dark color. Sexy aromas of currant, blueberry jam, chocolate and smoky oak, with complicating hints of leather and minerals. Silky and lively in the mouth, with ripe acids framing the currant and maraschino cherry flavors. In a flight of premiers grands crus classes, this one stood out for its freshness, even coolness, in the context of the vintage. Finishes with substantial oak and notes of mint and menthol.