Just bottled. A classic blend from a dry vintage, among the driest on record, competing with 2003. Yet the ripeness is beautifully balanced by an underlying freshness due to savvy canopy management. Sappy red to dark fruit allusions, fennel seeds and violets. The tannins, a gritty sheath of cocoa powder with a fleck of leafiness. Despite the juicy mid-weighted feel, this boasts a winning freshness. Poised, versatile and very easy to drink. A very good classico. Drink or hold.

James Suckling - James Suckling (92)