(a 60/40 blend of merlot and cabernet franc): Opaque ruby-purple. Deep, brooding aromas of cassis, blackberry syrup, coffee and cocoa. Then very rich, dense and unctuous, with blackberry syrup, blueberry liqueur, vanilla and chocolate-covered plum flavors of uncommon depth and purity. The smooth, velvety texture coats the palate while avoiding the bitterness and tannic unpleasantness of many other 2011s. Very long and serious wine, perhaps better balanced than the 2009 and 2010 vintages. As impressive as those wines might be, I think they were too extracted.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio