65% Cabernet Sauvignon; 30% Merlot; 3% Petit Verdot; 2% Cabernet Franc. On the one hand rich and moderately fruity and, on the other, a bit tight and tensile with evident acidity presently pushing its tannins forward, this bottling is limited by its youth as much as anything else. Its mix of brightness and fruit bodes well for improvement.

(a blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc; 13% alcohol): Deep ruby. Blackcurrant, camphor and a peppery note on the nose, plus a hint of a green streak. Suave in texture but peppery and simple in the mouth, with a leafy, herbal quality and a general lack of fruit suggesting only moderate ripeness. Turns a bit dry on the back. Some might like this wine's autumnal, herbal personality more than I did; perhaps I caught it at an awkward stage. In fairness, the vast majority of critics have scored this wine highly.

Bright ruby-red. Black fruits, licorice, tobacco and cedary oak on the nose. Dense and fine-grained, with a distinctly cool quality to the black fruit and floral flavors. Pliant in the middle palate but with cedar, floral and herbal notes providing very good lift. This rich, chewy wine boasts lovely depth of flavor and finishes with sweet tannins and noteworthy energy.