More aromatic than most, with lush, smoky, leafy aromas, suggesting it's just beginning its evolution. Concentrated and velvety, it displays fine balance and no overt extraction, nor is the ageing in 100% new oak evident on the palate. There's structure and complexity here, yet the impact is gentle rather than burly. Well balanced and long, with surprising cellaring potential.

(92% cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, 6% merlot and 2% petit verdot): Good full ruby. Bright raspberry, blackberry, minerals, espresso and a whiff of violet on the nose. Fine-grained and fresh in the mouth, with a floral quality adding lift to the dark fruit, flint and cocoa flavors. I had this wine on two different occasions with vastly different results: one sample was dense and horizontal, with very attractive floral fruit, while the other was thin and vegetal. As the former description is more in sync with what Calon Segur usually comes up, I'll give that description here. The combined 92% for the cabernets refers to the fact that Vincent Millet, Calon Segur's very talented winemaker and technical director, said he can't be sure just how much franc there is planted among the cabernets as the old vines were often haphazardly co-planted.

Shaded dark garnet. Fragrant. Gentle texture and really a very pleasing drink! One of the first vintages of the new owners? Good balance and fruit. Long. A bit of a standout. (JR)

Tasted blind. Dark core. A bit volatile on the nose. All rather average on the palate, not tough but lacks energy. Chewy finish. (JH)