CRITIC REVIEWS
James Lawther MW
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Harvest 24 September to 5 October. Two-thirds of the crop was lost to mildew. A sort of essence of Pontet-Canet – what you imagine a special cuvée would be. Deep, purple-black colour to the rim. Dense and intense on the nose with a bit of reduction at first but gradually opens to cassis and black olive. Lots of dry extract, the tannins firm, dense and powerful. A bit too much of everything but should age. (JL)
Julia Harding MW
Barrel sample. Very, very dark. Intensely fruity aroma –even a touch of wild strawberries, blueberry, fragrant and sweetly and wildly fruited. That aroma is on the palate too, a little darker, but all tied up in the tannins, which are smooth but dense. Firm, dry but not chewy. The freshness accentuates the tannins at the moment, hardening them a little. Utterly embryonic but everything in place even if not yet showing. Concentrated and sweet-fruited. Needs a lot of time. Juicy under all that structure and long. More Pontet-Canet than Pauillac, or than my stereotype of Pauillac. (JH)