The nose is higher toned but also goes very deep. There is more structure here, the tannin arriving rather late then sticking to your gums. It gives the impression that there is more power and depth than the last wines, but without ever really developing or demonstrating it.
Medium, medium-plus colour. The nose starts with a waft of dark and slightly toasty oak – it’s there in the depth too – I suspect that this may not lift. I was wrong, already within 15 minutes virtually all traces of dark oak are consigned to history, what replaces it is beautiful, slightly creamy red fruit – from heights to depths it’s lovely. The palate is, relative to the nose, ‘merely’ good. There is slightly forward acidity coupled to red cherry-fruit that leaves me with the impression that it could have done with half a degree more ripeness – that said it makes for an interesting and ‘edgy’ personality. This reminds me a little of some 2001s in their youth – no bad thing that. I enjoyed it, but can’t decide whether it would be better to drink now or wait 7-10 years. On reflection I would wait – there are other wines that offer a rounder performance today.
From Rugiens Hautes. Deeply coloured. The nose is dominated by toasty oak, it needs at least 45 minutes before black, coffee edged fruit takes over, eventually with an edge of cream. The palate is lithe and fresh with pretty good tannins and quite some length. The fruit has good sweetness once you get past the oak, the acidity, however, is not fully ‘joined-up’ – it seems to stand proud and prickly from the wine. To be honest it took me quite a while to warm to this wine, but the last glass was really starting to come together and become interesting – worth returning to in 2-3 years.
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