Less aromatically expressive than the Bienvenues at this stage but that is unlikely to worry the Bâtard. The nose begins with a little menthol and aniseed but remains subdued rather than lifting off. On the palate, the power of the wine is immediately clear but it¿s an unmistakable throaty rumble in the background rather than a full-on roar. The structure is tightly wound but massively intense and brooding. There is confidence, dynamism and energy in this wine and a large degree of opulence, but always with control.