Madame Leroy owns three parcels in the Clos: one in Garenne, just south of the château, a large one in the center of the vineyard that descends from Méo's parcel in Grand Maupertui down to the Route Nationale, and a smaller one in Baudes Basses. From this varied holding, she crafts a spell-binding wine. The 2009 vintage is now beginning to open, showing intense aromas of black plum, cassis fruit, smoke and a fair bit of cask influence. On the palate, the wine is tight and compact, very firmly tannic yet balanced. It's surprising how delicious it is at this point, given the massive structure on the palate, but it seems to have struck a balance between power and elegance.

Pale ruby. Mossy nose with autumn leaves. Sweet start. Good freshness on the palate despite the compost elements on the nose. Firm tannins. Quite serious with a definite future. (JR)