The 2011 Chateau Nairac has a fragrant, slightly buttery bouquet with touches of honey and white flowers and, with continued aeration, subtle barley sugar and white peach scents. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry. This is harmonious with a subtle touch of spice toward the viscous finish, but it is really the tension and poise that is entrancing at the moment. This Nairac is a tightly coiled spring needing several years to reveal what it can do. Drink 2019-2040. Tasted March 2014. - NEAL MARTIN

This wine is intensely sweet, with delicious fresh acidity as well as orange and lemon flavors. Although approachable, it has a dry, structured and dense core, suggesting potential richness as well as longevity. Drink from 2019.

The first sample of Nairac displayed too much sulphur although the second sample two days later had a well-defined bouquet with kiwi fruit light honey and a touch of white peach. The palate is well-balanced with fresh honeyed fruit that has just the right amount of viscosity. The finish is elegant and poised with subtle dried honey as well as lime and kiwi fruit notes that linger in the mouth. This is a very fine Nairac that should age with style. Drink 2014-2030.

The 2011 Nairac has a clean, quite pure bouquet that needs just a little more vigour and complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine balance, well judged acidity, very pure and lightly spiced with stem ginger towards the harmonious finish. Give it a couple more years to see of that bouquet will open. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. -- Neal Martin