My initial concerns about this wine coming across as over-extracted with too much oak seem to be accurate. It is a muscular, boldly-styled offering whose type of extraction and wood treatment do not work well in vintages such as 2002. It possesses a dark plum/ruby color as well as abundant amounts of sweet fruit underneath all the oak, but the noticeable wood is jarring to the olfactory senses. With age, it may become more attenuated and disjointed rather than meshed together. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2015?

Opulent and alluring bouquet of herb, earth, minerals, plum, redcurrant and cassis. Quite full, rich, soft and inviting palate with layered dark fruit, restrained grainy tannins, evident acidity and broad flavours. Has good Saint-Emilion texture. Drink 2012-2018. Alc: 13.5%. (16.58 points)