Even the brilliant partnership of Thienpont and Derenoncourt could not create an outstanding wine in this difficult vintage. Herbaceous stone fruit characteristics are noticeable in this medium-bodied effort. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple and the wine is solidly constructed, with plenty of tannin, body, and muscle, but it lacks charm, flesh, concentration, and depth. It can be drunk over the next dozen years. An up and coming potential superstar, this 15+ acre, south-facing vineyard (40-year old vines) planted on pure limestone (near Beau-Sejour-Becot and Beausejour-Duffau) is impeccably run and farmed biodynamically by St.-Emilion’s and Pomerol’s two wunderkind, Nicolas Thienpont and Stephen Derenoncourt.

Slightly short but some attractive berry and milk chocolate character with a good dose of wood. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean finish. Best after 2006. -JS