Dark ruby-red. Exotic, vibrant aromas of cherry, redcurrant, tobacco, mint, cigar ash and white pepper. Thick, supple and very concentrated; really uncanny creamy sweetness and texture in the middle palate. Intriguing note of sarsaparilla. Substantial but utterly suave tannins are thoroughly buffered by the wine extract. Shows some of the sauvage qualities of past vintages of this wine, but here the fresh red fruit flavors are even fresher and more concentrated than usual.

The longest, coolest growing season recorded in a decade, 1994 started with a sunny and dry March and an early budbreak. Summer was cooler than average, extending the growing season and the “hang time” of the grapes. The wines are long-lived and profound.