CRITIC REVIEWS
Julia Harding MW
Tasted blind. Deep bricky garnet. Rich and cedary on the nose with an attractive touch of rock dust and cassis. Rich, dense but even with all this tannin there’s a flow across the palate. Very Pauillac in its muscular framework but it’s all in balance. Nowhere near ready. (JH)
Panos Kakaviatos
Aromatic purity includes marvellous cigar box aromas, bright and opulent ripe fruit and black tea. A palate of great depth and density, with the most noticeable tannic edge among the wines tasted here. Tannins from 80% new oak – aged 20 months before bottling – are seamlessly integrated. It does not match the elegance of the Comtesse, but the Pauillac power impresses. Tertiary aspects of creosote are hinted on the long finish, but the wine remains rather primary. Try with crispy Peking duck or roast lamb, medium rare, with garlic and gravy. Very long.