2004 Charmail

Ruby-red. Ripe black fruit nose shows a distinctly medicinal aspect. Suave and smooth in the mouth, but quite dry, with a flavor of bitter chocolate. Offers good breadth but limited sweetness of fruit. Finishes with substantial tongue-dusting tannins.

Deep crimson. Scented, aromatic, very well mannered, Fresh tannin, quite dry finish but a confident balance of ripe fruit too. Good buy if not too expensive. Rather sophisticated. (JR)

This excellent Haut-Medoc, a blend of 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc, enjoys an unusually long, cold maceration, which results in a blue/black-colored wine with intense aromatics. The 2004 possesses copious fruit characteristics, medium to full body, and attractive sweetness as well as richness. Drink this sleeper of the vintage over the next decade. This consistent over-achiever usually competes with some classified growths. Jun 2007, www.robertparker.com