How does a second wine from a vintage widely regarded to be the worst of the decade shape up? I taste the Tourelles 2013 and discuss this question. And should wines be rated relative to their peer group, or should reviewers attempt, as best as they can, to give an absolute score across all styles of wines?

Les Tourelles de Longueville 2013 Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Second wine of Pichon Baron. This is fresh, bright and balanced with sweet blackcurrant fruit, as well as supple cherry notes with a bit of gravel and spice. It’s medium weight and nicely poised, with well integrated green notes sitting alongside the smooth, sweet, focused fruit. This is not a blockbuster, but it’s all the better for it. There’s a lovely harmony, purity and balance here, and it should develop nicely. It’s definitely made in a lighter style, with more Merlot, but I think the people who score hierarchically and by vintage reputation are missing something here: it’s a really supple, fresh, pretty wine with plenty of structure and grip. Benchmark Claret. 91/100