Another impressive wine from the Canon Fronsac region, the 2018 Château Vrai Canon Bouche is 55% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec, brought up in 40% new French oak. Rocking levels of blackcurrants, cherries, mulberries, chocolate, and leafy herbs emerge from the glass, and it's rich and medium to full-bodied, with a layered, opulent texture and a great finish. A total sleeper in the vintage, it's ideal for enjoying over the coming decade.

Pure and racy, with damson plum and cassis notes streaming along, flanked with savory, lilac and bergamot notes and carried by a refined minerality through the finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through 2030. 4,333 cases made.

The 2018 Vrai Canon Bouché is a very pretty wine laced with cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint and rose petal. Pliant and aromatically lifted, the 2018 is an absolute joy to taste. Give it a year or two in bottle to soften.