Review by Stephen Tanzer
Rating: (95)
Bright, deep red with ruby tones. Very sexy aromas of cassis, black plum, licorice and toffee, with a ripe citrus note adding another dimension. Densely packed, seamless and energetic, showing outstanding intensity and power to its dark fruit flavors. It was hot for a long time in 2004, noted Claude Blankiet but this wine boasts terrific balance and huge but fully integrated tannins. The suggestion of lemon oil carries through onto the palate. Outstanding. This is the vintage with the highest pH (4.03) and lowest acidity (5.0 grams per liter) of the range, but the Cabernet vines benefited by being picked after a sharp heat spike at the beginning of September (the estate’s Merlot was picked in hotter conditions).
