597. Château Soussans, Margaux, 2005

£22.50; 13.5%

Another Friday night Booker wine, and another nice one. Just coming into its drinking window now, it’ll probably peak in 3 years as its structure softens just a touch more. Medium depth ruby, with a narrow garnet rim. Quite intense, meaty nose, with graphite and savoury blackcurrant. Clove and cinnamon touches but certainly savoury. Medium+ intensity, concentrated, rich, but savoury. Smoky plum, just-ripe blackcurrant and some dried herbs. Medium or medium+, grainy tannins that are just ripe. Medium+ smoky length. Good. Not great, but good. 2^nd bottle a year later, is hitting its stride perfectly, and again showing smoky plum, with oak touches, plus some real richness on the savoury palate.