From the central part of Aux Charmes, this classic wine has a wonderful rich deep colour, more crimson than purple. The bouquet suggests an intensity of a deep dark cherry fruit, ripe, powerful, yet in hand. Some chocolate notes, which act as an enhancement to the overall experience. The Roty policy of punching down has provided such a solid wealth of structure that this wine can easily support the opulence of the fruit and will age effortlessly for a very long time. It has the most astonishing intensity, placing it ahead of its two sibling grands crus.

This too is slightly toasty though still elegant with its combination of notably ripe red berry, plum, earth and soft floral-suffused nose. There is fine underlying tension to the broad-shouldered, concentrated and markedly powerful flavors that exude a refreshing salinity on the bitter cherry pit finale where a touch of warmth slowly emerges as it sits on the palate. This mouth coating effort is even more structured, and it should be capable of lasting for decades. In short, this is seriously impressive.