(nearly 90% merlot) Excellent ruby-red. Black fruits, violet, licorice and bitter chocolate on the nose. Quite juicy in the mouth, even a bit youthfully hard-edged, with very fresh blueberry, black cherry, licorice and mineral flavors. Has the energy of a wine from chalky soil. Vibrant finish features firm tannins and good persistence. This has a reasonable 3.4 grams per liter of acidity and a pH of 3.7, according to winemaker Stephane Derenoncourt.

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This 15+ acre estate, situated on a south/southwest-facing slope, has been making sensational wines since 2000, when the management of the vineyard and winemaking were taken over by Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. The 40-year-old, bio-dynamically farmed vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The 2003 possesses superb ripeness as well as a stony, mineral liqueur-like intensity, a reticent but promising perfume of black raspberries, sweet kirsch, and blacker fruits, a full-bodied, powerful, concentrated attack and mid-palate, and a blockbuster, long, powerful, moderately tannic finish. It is an infant in terms of development. No doubt this site's clay and limestone soils were the perfect antidote for the summer's torrid heat and drought. This superb effort should only be purchased by patient connoisseurs.

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Plenty of berry and cherry character with chocolate and vanilla. Medium-bodied, with soft and balanced tannins. Lovely balance. This is right next to Angelus and Beausejour Duffau-Lagarosse. A small property with about 15 acres.

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