Medium-plus ruby colour. The nose is sharper and more focused than that of the 99, higher toned with a little cedar. Still drying tannin, but not with the volume of my last tasting about 3 years ago. Fresher, perhaps less concentrated but with good length. This is a better drink today than the 99, the extra density of the latter will probably give it a longer, if not more interesting, life.

The colour is pretty deep, still a little cherry colour at the rim. The nose is starting to show some development – lots of interest here – deep black cherry, just a little cooked and spicy plum fruit, eventually you can find a little raspberry fruit too. The palate has plenty of tannin, but very much in the Grivot style i.e. quite extracted but not too grainy. Good fruit with reasonable espresso-style length and just right acidity. Much more interesting than the 1997 non – Bossières villages.