La Mission Haut Brion 1988 - 75cl bt

Very deep, solid colour. Lovely melange of camphor, cedar and that ashy minerality with keen-edged black fruit. The palate has delightfully racy structure, with fresh, but dense and meaty black fruit and a supple, supportive tannin structure. There is masses of toasty, coffeeish oak in the finish, but the balance here, with spiciness and acidity, is excellent. Tom Cannavan

score: 92 / 100