Medium-plus ruby-red with a cherry-red rim. The nose starts broad and brawny, slipping for a moment into bright red berries before settling into a medium intensity mix of sweet coffee inflected red cherry, some higher tones continue to evolve. Almost painful intensity of high-toned fruit – very, very impressive! Good acidity and very good tannins though not so svelte as those in de Montilles’ Les Mitans. Great length – a King in waiting – I think the next test shouldn’t be before 2012.

The colour is just a little darker than the 1998. The nose has a little more pronounced blueberry fruit together with the red cherry and a little flowery at the top, smells quite sweet too. Wow ! – What a fruit concentration, this wine is just so fat with a mixture of red and black fruit – really intense. The acidity is good and the tannin smoother than the 1998, but the finish is much, much longer. This wine rates as outstanding !