NV Pomerol

Full bottle a modest 1,285 g. 'From two of the leading estates on the plateau of Pomerol.' Blended and bottled by the late Denis Durantou of Ch L'Église-Clinet. Rich, deep garnet. Really gamey, typically Pomerol nose. Sweet and velvety with beautifully evolved texture and flavour. This could serve as an archetypal Pomerol in a classroom. Medium length and very flattering. Considering the price of château-bottled Pomerol, this is VGV. (JR)

This undated blend is described as 'delightfully plummy' on J&B's website. Mid blackish ruby. The nose is convincingly meaty – a sign of traditional right-bank provenance. It's a little pinched on the finish – not sure it's all that plummy – but it does the business and has some residual tannin. It tastes like a slightly less charming offcut from a gander Pomerol and doesn't look or taste too screechingly young. Not bad for the money. It's from the same stable as C&B's Pomerol but tastes a bit less aggressively tannic. Definitely needs food though. Game pie? (JR)

Very boring label. Lively nuanced crimson. A bit light and animal. (JR)