(90-93 points) Moderately generous wood along with vanilla hints fights slightly with the ripe and dense aromas of mostly white orchard fruit, honeysuckle and soft shellfish nuances. There is impressive size, weight and mid-palate concentration to the sappy and relatively powerful medium weight plus flavors that offer excellent length. This isn't as refined as it usually is though it compensates by offering better power and punch.

(13.5% natural alcohol): Pale lemon-yellow. Much more closed on the nose than the old-vines Vaillons, hinting at honeysuckle. Tighter in the mouth than the Vaillons as well but still in a supple, rich style for this cuvée, with an element of sweetness nicely buffered by firm acidity. Spreads out impressively to saturate the palate on the silky finish, with piquant notes of lemon oil and ripe grapefruit lingering. -- Stephen Tanzer