This is in fact 95% Merlot, with just a 5% dollop of Cabernet Franc. The thing that appeals to me about this wine is, as with the 2003 tasted last year, the absolute restraint evident. There is an overarching minerality which seeps into every aspect of the wine, not quite dominating the nose which, after being initially rather tightly wound, relaxes after an hour or two in decanter to reveal fine plum, tobacco, chocolate and red cherry fruit with a little note of Dundee cake. The palate is quite firmly structured, although with a rounded, almost plump and almost seamless supporting texture. There are soft tannins, which coat the mouth on the endpalate, and a lovely, ripe extract. My only negative comment is that there is a quickly fading finish, but overall this wine is quite fine for drinking now, and shows clear potential for the cellar. 17+/20 - Thewinedoctor.com

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A striking wine. Perfumed sweet dark cherry nose with a pronounced spicy character and some subtle tarry oak. The palate is richly fruited but has a savoury tang and good acid, together with some tannic structure and a bit of tarry supporting oak. A big wine kitted out for the long haul. Very good/excellent 90/100 - Jamie Goode - Wineanorak.com

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