2005 Château Tour St-Bonnet, Cru Bourgeois Médoc

Initially the nose is quite elusive however a good swirl in the glass to aerate the wine reveals the classic signature of a mature wine with an earthy, spicy character, with aromas of delicate, dried fruit. The palate it was another story entirely with an abundance of softened red and dark-berry fruit and spice. Layers of complexity, plum, blueberry, pepper, a leathery note and a very delicate hint of warming oak. The finish is long and complex and retains a freshness, which can be lost with age, there's still a tannic grip too, tempered only by time.

It's one of those wines where you take a moment after each sip to try and decipher the flavours as they continue to unravel. It's a beautiful quality, for which there is no shortcut, you simply don't get that in more youthful wines.