Inky, bright-rimmed ruby. Smoky, mineral-accented cherry, blackberry and floral scents, along with building floral and olive nuances. Shows excellent clarity and heft to its juicy red and dark berry, fruitcake and licorice flavors, which are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Delivers a suave blend of depth and vivacity and finishes impressively long and smoky, with dusty tannins adding final grip. Made entirely with whole clusters.

Cask sample, tasted at the domaine. Floral, leather, white pepper and ripe blackberry – a touch of vanilla also. Lots of richness here, weighty dark fruits with good levels of acidity and very elegant fine firm tannins. An ashy smoky note on the mid palate and a nice creamy note towards the end. Quite open at the moment with ripe fruits. (AC)