(from 40 year old vines planted in shallow, high clay content soil sitting on a bed of solid rock) As I noted from cask, the aromas aren't as ripe and they're more elegant as a result with excellent complexity that introduce impeccably balanced and exceptionally concentrated flavors offering excellent intensity and impressive length, underpinned by silky tannins and that seductive velvety quality a fine Santenots can have in spades. There is still a touch of finishing warmth but overall, this is really quite a lovely effort, both absolutely and particularly for the vintage.

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($100) Pretty bright red color. Sappy aromas of cherry, minerals, dark chocolate and flowers. Suave, concentrated and very rich, with a sappy freshness rare for 2003. This really conveys a light touch. Today this comes across as much more elegant than the Champans, with the tannins finer-grained and the finishing flavors persistent and pure. Very strong wine.

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