Les Tourelles de Longueville, Pauillac, 2007

The somewhat unassuming 2007s have been winning friends over the last year. Initially written off by collectors as an inferior vintage, we have been finding ourselves singing their praises. Granted, they are not the most profound wines, nor can they be classed vins de garde, but the good ones are balanced, elegant, give lots of drinking pleasure and are not at all unreasonably priced. One such example is the Tourelles de Longueville, the second label from high flying second growth, Pichon Longueville (Baron). There are hints of cedar and spice on the nose, along with classic Pauillac traits of cassis and pencil shavings. This is not a big wine, but it is beautifully shaped and possesses enough concentration and ample sweet berry fruit. As with all the best 2007s, the tannins have melted and give the wine the impression of roundness and a real sense of charm.