At 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, the venerable first growth clocks in at 14.3% alcohol with high tannins. Indeed, the impression of tannic power is more pronounced here then almost anywhere else, so that one senses a “true Pauillac”. The graphite and the cassis are pure and there is such impressive length, but at this pre-bottled stage, the power and tannic edge is the highlight. A great wine in the making.

Score: 96-99