Another brilliant effort from a small, 45-year-old vineyard on the clay and limestone plateau above Pavie and Pavie Decesse, this blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare. A classically structured St.-Emilion, it boasts an opaque purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of black raspberries, creme de cassis, blueberries, espresso roast, and pen ink. Huge tannin, massive body, and tremendous richness as well as depth suggest it will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 20-25.

(13.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.58 and 3.6 grams per liter of acidity) Bright red-ruby. Subdued but pure aromas of black fruits, mint and licorice. Thick on entry, then quite lively in the mouth despite its impressive density and breadth. Very tight-grained and primary today, with blackberry and mint flavors. The huge, dusty, very fine tannins arrive extremely late, and the flavors build impressively on the back. The crop level here was just 30 hectoliters per hectare, according to Neipperg. Offers outstanding potential.