(from Les Combes; aged in 60% new wood). An attractively layered nose offers up notes of violet, plum, smoked meat hints and plenty of warm earth character to the wild dark berry fruit aromas. There is excellent volume to the ripe, intense and powerful large-scaled flavors that exhibit fine intensity on the powerful, balanced and vibrant finish that delivers its usual fine length. This isn’t quite a robust as it usually is though it’s a big wine all the same and will require an extended cellar siesta. 92/2023+