Tasting notes

2009:  A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot, 13.8% alcohol, yields of 33hl/ha representing 45% of production.  Vibrant, pretty floral aromas, with red and dark berry fruits and spice.  This is quite dense, with dark, exotic fruit on the palate, as well as spice and plums, very complex already, with quite chalky, fine tannins framing the fruit.  Lovely freshness on the palate.  A more flamboyant style of Pauillac, stradling the traditional and the modern.  93-96 points, drink 2017-2035.  April 2010.

2008:  Produced from yields of 39 hl/ha, a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Merlot.  Quite complex and reserved aromas, with some spice, black fruits and minerals.  On the palate the wine is quite dense and brooding, with plenty of very fine yet substantial tannins.  The wine has very good complexity already and a long finish.  92-94 points, drink 2014-2025 (April 2010).

2007:  A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Merlot.  A much more serious style than the ‘Les Tourelles’, this an open-knit

ripe and attractive style of wine, with substantial tannin, albeit quite fine.  Very good complexity and length, and with some nutmeg spice on the finish, this is a lovely, serious Cabernet.  92-95 points, drink 2014-2025 (April 2008).  From bottle there are fine and pretty aromas of plum and spice.  On the palate the wine has a lovely core of sweet, ripe fruit, slightly exotic in style, of good density and weight.  There are fine, slightly chalky tannins on the palate.  A lovely, drinking style of claret.  93 points, drink 2012-2022.  April 2010.

2006:  Quite expressive aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry, the wine has substantial structure, with very fine tannins, but also good ripe fruit of plum and blackberry on the palate.  Fresh acidity balancing fine, firm structure, this requires time to display its best.  92-93 points, drink 2016-2030.  (April 2008).

2005:  Tasted four times, with consistent notes but an ever-expanding drinking window!  A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc.  Somewhat reserved aromatically, although with coaxing showing some good, even intense, exotic aromas, liquid minerals, and very pure fruit.  Dense style, with plenty of flavour packed in, yet retains surprising finesse, not least due to the fresh acidity.  Great depth of flavour, with attractive exotic spices on the finish, and with excellent complexity.  This is at once a powerful, exotic and elegant wine, and certainly a triumph.  94-97 points, drink 2010-2035+ (May 2006).  From bottle in April 2008, the wine showed stunning aromas of sweet, ripe red currants, rose, plum and liquid minerals.  On the palate the wine is quite restrained, yet has tremendous underlying power and intensity.  Very fine-yet-firm tannins frame the delicious ripe fruit, and the wine has great complexity and length of finish.  Really tremendous!  96 points, drink 2015-2035.  A year on, and the wine had certainly closed down further, still displaying an exotic character, but far, far less opulent and compelling now - really just an essay in patience.  Very complex and lengthy finish, clearly capable of greatness down the track, but just extremely difficult to drink now.  94 points, drink 2020-2040.  February 2009.

2004:  A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc.  Quite a distinct aromas of sour cherry, minerals, plum and cassis.  Very good intensity, on the palate the wine shows less density than the 2005, but precise, pure fruit, a lovely savoury note, fine structure tannins, beautiful balance, very good length - a really lovely style.  94 points, drink 2010-2025 (May 2006).

2003:  Tasted twice with consistent notes.  A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, from yields of 31 hl/ha.  Exotic, ripe aromas of liqueur and lush berries.  On the palate the wine is dry yet with sweet, ripe fruit, plenty of minerals, atypical in style yet not detrimentally, merely a different expression of Cabernet.  Very complex and loads of flavour with a lengthy finish, this is a powerhouse, exotic style.  93 points, drink now-2020 (May 2006) and 94 points (November 2006).

2000:  Very dense, exotic and opulent aromas of spice, plum, cassis and tobacco.  Rich and sweet-fruited on the palate, with great complexity and length of flavour already, this is an outstanding wine.  Very fine tannins, which are quite sweet, and seemingly endless flavour.  Should age superbly.  97 points (March 2004).

1990:  More forward than the 1990 Montrose, with ripe, sweet fruit flavours.  An opulent expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, with plum, tobacco, minerals and blackcurrant fruit flavours. Intense (yet elegant) power, long finish, a real mouthfilling, finely tannic finish.  Beautiful.  97 points, drink now-2025 (October 2004).

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