73% Cabernet Sauvignon; 15% Merlot; 10% Cabernet Franc; 2% Petit Verdot. Well-defined, ripe-currant fruit is the constant theme of this well-extracted young Pauillac, and, while showing plenty of fruity muscle and mass, the wine sports a fine sense of polish and suppleness without the sinewy toughness displayed by many of its mates. It is a complete and compelling claret with years of improvement ahead.

Deep ruby-red. Deeply pitched aromas of inky cassis, licorice, mocha and smoky, nutty oak. Fairly large-scaled and layered but dominated by its acid/tannin spine in the early going, displaying firm, coolish flavors of black plum, licorice and graphite. The lingering finish features substantial but ripe tannins. Give this at least a few years of cellaring before pulling the cork.

Rating: (91-93) - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 170 on Apr-07

Rating: 92-94 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 4/07

eight are splits (375ml).