Bright red with purple flecks. Leather black licorice black currant and black cherry aromas. Nice soft entry onto the palate with tannins that build strength on the mid-palate. Good balance. Long cherry vanilla and toast finish. Very ripe â_" it's a mouthful.

Owned by AXA Millésimes at the time, exuding soft black cherry and raspberry fruits, smooth tannins, saline-streaked on the finish, totally delicous. Fresh acidities, again that mandarin peel edge that I am getting on so many of the 2005s, where the fresh acidities of the year come across as fresh orange rind rather than mint leaf, reflecting the ripeness of the fruit tempered by freshness and balance. Tobacco and gentle tannins, easy to recommend, at a great moment for drinking. 70% new oak.

Milk chocolate and blackberry aromas follow through to a full body with very soft tannins and a long caressing finish. This is so delicious now but has a balance of fruit and tannins. One of the best from this estate in some time. Best after 2014. 2500 cases made. -JS

89+ Deep ruby/garnet, with notes of roasted espresso, white chocolate, black cherries and currants, this wine is medium to full-bodied, reasonably opulent, not terribly complex, but youthful and primary. Give it another 3-4 years and drink it over the following 10-15. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.