(a 60/40 blend of cabernet franc and merlot): Good full ruby-red. Sweet aromas of balsamic plum, currant, mocha and licorice; I would have picked this as a Right Bank wine. Broad, plush and sweet, but with nothing cooked about it. A lightly herbal quality and some slightly edgy acidity contribute to an impression of vinosity. Finishes with firm but nicely supported tannins and sneaky persistence. This kind of wine is often overlooked in a vertical tasting, but this is very good.