This limited production wine is made from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from the very finest part of the vineyard on the plateau of Pomerol, which used to be known as Certan-Giraud. It often reminds me of Cheval Blanc, at least from an aromatic perspective, but in 2006 the wine seems to verge in the direction of the more exotic, flamboyant style of Le Pin. Dense plum/ruby to the rim, with a sweet nose of roasted coffee, caramel, mocha, and lavish quantities of black cherry and black currant fruit, this wine has a lush, sensual texture, full-bodied depth, and stunning length and purity. This is a beauty to drink now and over the next 12-15 years.

Bright, full ruby-red. Compelling aromas of red cherry and raspberry liqueur, licorice, minerals, spices, mocha and coffee. Wonderfully opulent and broad, with full but not excessive ripeness and a classically dry impression for such a plush wine. A wonderfully sexy, quintessential Pomerol that finishes with terrific breadth, sweet tannins and an almost magically light touch. If this is not as good as the 2005, it's just a step behind.

Ruby-red. Cherry liqueur, espresso and menthol on the nose. Rich, lush and ripe, with the volume and breadth of a ripe vintage. The wine's superb sweetness is nicely buffered by an intriguing Indian spice component. Very suave tannins here. A lovely example of the vintage.

Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. This is an impressive Hosanna with a fruit-driven, floral blueberry and cassis-scented nose with touches of Valrhona chocolate and vanilla, all with exemplary definition. The palate is medium-bodied with a lithe, spicy entry, quite opulent for the vintage, generous and supple with a suave cassis finish. Tasted January 2010.

Fragrant, high toned. Very suave palate entry with very sweet tannins and fully ripe fruit. Chewy on the finish and reverberates with very fine tannins. Very slightly dry and pinched on the finish. (JR)