2004 Haut Marbuzet

A luscious, oaky, richly fruity effort, the 2004 Haut-Marbuzet offers up scents of ripe black currants intermixed with copious toasty, spicy oak. This soft, lush sleeper of the vintage is ideal for drinking over the next 7-8 years.

Good red-ruby color. Aromas of plum, berries, chocolate, smoke and herbs. Supple, generous and sweet if without the concentration of a top year. But this is silky and attractive. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and a suggestion of greenness. I'd drink this one in the medium term, say over the next 8 to 12 years. The 2006 may possess somewhat stronger material-and more class.

(bottled in March) Cool aromas of black fruits, violet, bitter chocolate, spices, licorice and menthol. Suave, nicely delineated and firm, but without the intensity of the 2005. Finishes fruity and persistent, but with a slight dryness not apparent in either the 2005 or 2003.