Saturated medium ruby. Slightly reduced aromas of blackberry, cassis, kirsch, menthol, black olive and shoe polish; a bit inexpressive today. Then broad, ripe and sweet, but with a firm spine of acids and tannins giving shape and thrust to this very young wine. Finishes with broad, serious tannins and noteworthy power and persistence. A very good showing.

Sprawling all over the place with its aromas of ripe plums, black cherries, toast and bacon and its initially fullish feel followed by bolts of attacking tannins that occlude the fruit and ask for ten years and more of cellaring, this is yet another example of why St. Estephe is both admired and sometimes overlooked by wine collectors.