| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A blend of 73% Cabernet Franc with a whopping 20% pressed wine. Deep black/purple hue. The nose is very closed at the moment with some pure plum-scented, boysenberry fruit. It probably does not have the complexity of the previous two vintages but it has good definition. The palate is full-bodied with vibrant, black fruits, well-integrated vanillary new oak, quite masculine and rather impenetrable at this nascent stage but a little dry on the finish. Tasted April 2008
Lots of blackberry and floral character on the nose. Medium body and fine tannins, but a little austere and loose on the finish.
A Jonathan Maltus wine. Strongly scented. Very inky. Over-extracted. No fun or flattery - just tense, dry not-quite-juice. Too much for me, I’m afraid! Awfully austere. It deserves 18 for effort but no more than 15.5 for attainment in my view. Green ink on the finish
Saturated bright ruby. Lovely lift to the aromas of blackberry, minerals, violet and mint; the floral quality verges on exotic. Rich and powerful in the context of the year, and long on personality too, offering very pure flavors of currant, dark chocolate, iron and tobacco. Finishes broad and ripe, with serious tannic spine and excellent precision. I like the combination of volume, minerality and energy on display here.
Full, intense colour, wonderful expression of Cabernet Franc, still quite shut in and brooding, but wonderful fragrance, quite lush on the palate, combines true ripeness with the liveliness of the vintage, great purity and perfect balance. Drink 2012-20. 5 stars.
