($125) Deep red. Rich aromas of plum, redcurrant, chocolate and smoke. Sweet, lush and smooth, with a wonderfully fine-grained texture for the year. Highly expressive flavors of currant, cedar, chocolate and tobacco. The wine's subtle sweetness, suave tannins and sneaky persistence convey an impression of very regular ripeness.

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47% Merlot, 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot. Fine weather from spring to harvest. No excesses. Had to control yields that were high after the 2003 heat stress. Lots of secondary buds. Similar blend to 1999 but a very different wine – shows that it is not the varietal composition the determines the character of the wine.Deep crimson brightness. Sweetly oaky – intense and immediately recognisable bread dough aroma. Underneath that there’s fine pure upright cassis but also sweet spice and plum and tobacco. Already surprisingly complex. Intense but fleeting floral perfume as that breadiness disappears. On the palate, masses of liquorice and sweet bright expressive fruit. Red and black fruit. Dramatic fruit even though the spice of the oak is still very clear. Toasty sweet spice and coffee. Rich and opulent fruit. Tannins are finely textured and a little firm but velvety. Long way to go though already generous. Delicious. Great finesse and fine-boned though it does show the oak a little more than the 2006. (JH)

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This stunning wine is one of the vintage's great successes. Administrator Thomas Duroux has fashioned a modern day version of Palmer's brilliant 1966. Displaying a rare combination of power and elegance, this dense purple-colored offering exhibits notes of blackberries, truffles, flowers, incense, and camphor. Long, classic, and medium to full-bodied with stunning texture and richness, this superb effort is a candidate for the finest Margaux of the vintage.

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Aromas of licorice, tar and mineral follow through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a medium finish. A very pretty wine already. Falls a little short, but still outstanding. 6,000 cases made.

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