The serious quantity of Cabernet Franc used at this estate comes forth in the complex cedary, menthol, spice box, and plum, cherry, and currant notes in this wine’s aromatics. The wine is medium-bodied, attractively lush, with good finesse, depth, and ripeness. It is a successful effort for a 2002 Pessac-Leognan. Drink it over the next decade.

Medium ruby-red. Ripe, aromatic nose of black cherry, raspberry and bitter chocolate. Lush and smooth, with good breadth and an absence of rough edges. Ripe, slightly jammy fruit flavors of red cherry and red berries, firmed and lifted by a whiff of fresh herbs. Broad, mouthcoating wine, finishing with firm tannins and good breadth. Gracefully made.

The 2002 Les Carmes Haut-Brion has a surprisingly rich and quite decadent bouquet with intense black cherries, cassis and violet aromas. These scents seem to melt in the glass with candied strawberry, light toffee-ish aromas developing. The palate is medium-bodied with a very medicinal entry, peppermint and liquorice, though it does lack freshness and feels sauvage on the finish. Drink soon. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château.