A third-growth, this intense, powerful and concentrated wine should play to its strengths in a vintage such as 2005, with its enormous tannin and density. This is one of the more backward of the 2005s, quite masculine, tannic and bold, with a deep ruby/purple color, lots of spice, a touch of wood and new oak as well as a medium to full-bodied, rather backward, tannic mouthfeel. It’s all there, and the wine certainly has plenty of concentration, but it needs another 3-5 years of cellaring. It should drink well for at least a quarter of a century.

Has loads of coffee, blackberry and cigar box aromas, turning to crushed blackberry. Full-bodied, with big, chewy tannins and an aftertaste of vanilla, blackberry and espresso. Mouthpuckering. Very concentrated and structured for this wine. Best after 2015. 7,500 cases made. -JS

Dense and dark, this is an extracted wine with polished fruit. What stops it going over the edge is the delicious sweet fruits, the dense structure and the elegance that gives it shape and aging potential.——R.V.(6/1/2008)—— 93