The 2010 La Tour de Mons is the same blend as the 2009, although the nose is cut from a different cloth, darker fruit, more black than red, graphite and tobacco, a little Pauillac in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, plenty of blackberry and bilberry fruit, well judged acidity and a dash of white pepper sprinkled over the cedary finish. There is more backbone here compared to the 2009 and a little more persistence on the finish. Very fine. Tasted in Bordeaux. -- Neal Martin