Beautifully intense, strong colour. A complex, rich nose of very ripe black fruits (plum and black cherry). Smokey, toasty aromas with a hint of tobacco. Expansive on the palate with a velvety texture. A good and particularly long finish. Very ripe Merlot vintage. Best Drunk from 2006-2025. -Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, Score: 96
WA 96
WS 92 Wild aromas of forest fruits, coffee and toasted oak follow through to a rich and decadent palate with full body and a long chewy finish. This still needs time. Best after 2009. -JS, Wine Specator, Score: 92, '95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective.
WS 95 Blockbuster. The essence of berry, cherry and tobacco character. Full-bodied and very tannic, yet incredibly opulent. Long aftertaste of smoke, game, chocolate and fruit. Best after 2002. Wine Spectator, Issue: Jan 31, 1998 Score: 95