A spectacular effort, this blockbuster, in-your-face St.-Emilion boasts a saturated purple color as well as a gorgeous bouquet of framboise liqueur, blackberries, and smoky oak, an unctuous texture, full body, and a seamless finish with low acidity and ripe tannin. This 1998 scores high on both pleasure and cerebral meters. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2014. A garage wine, this 100% Merlot cuvee is produced from a 6.5-acre vineyard. One hundred percent new oak is utilized, and malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel. Approximately 9,000 bottles are produced in an abundant vintage.

Beautiful and subtle, with sweet berry, raisin and violet aromas that follow through to a full body, with polished and silky tannins and a clean finish. Balanced and focused. Starting to lose its coarse edge and turning to elegance.—'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. 1,000 cases made. -JS