Opaque, shimmering magenta. Potent, smoke-accented aromas of cherry, dark berry preserves, exotic spices and pungent flowers, along with hints of bacon fat and savory herbs. Deeply concentrated yet lively in style, offering intense black raspberry, cherry-cola and violet pastille flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Displays emphatic floral thrust, a jolt of spiciness and rounded, even tannins on the impressively long, penetrating finish. This is an excellent rendition of this bottling, which is widely available and delivers outstanding value in the context of top-drawer C?;te-R?;tie. I mentioned this to Phillipe Guigal and he pointed out that it has always been the family's flagship wine, so its calling card, which makes it really important that it be as good as possible.""