A powerful, virile 2011, Gazin reveals a dense ruby/purple color, a big, meaty, earthy richness, lots of coffee, black cherry liqueur and spice notes, and a full-bodied mouthfeel. It will benefit from another 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for 15+ years.

Tasted at the UGC Pomerol tasting. A blend of 90% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon the Gazin 2011 has a fine nose that unfurls nicely with aeration, revealing ripe black cherries and raspberry fruit that is in synch with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins on the entry. There is fine minerality here, good substance, the smectite clay coming to Gazin’s aid in this dry season and lending more body towards the finish. This should merit long-term ageing. Tasted April 2012.

Still quite primal, with fleshy plum skin, warm raspberry confiture and dark roasted woodspice notes still wrestling a bit with each other. A bit thick on the finish as this seems to have aimed for extraction; it will need to develop some finesse during the elevage for balance.-J.M.

(16-) Drink 2017-2026 Ripe dark fruit with violets and chocolates. Pretty intense on the nose. Very floral. Leaner on the palate than I expected but has just enough flesh for the structure. Not overly generous. Drying finish. (JH)