"6% of total crop went into this grand vin, with just 4% Merlot. ..."

6% of total crop went into this grand vin, with just 4% Merlot. The strength is 13% (“we never want to make more alcohol than this” according to Paul Pontallier.) 3.37 TA, 5 in tarartic, pH 3.7, IPT 71 (IPT in 2000 was 70).Mid crimson. SO much riper and more appetising and fuller than the Pavillon Rouge on the nose! Pretty complete already with lovely balance and lift, though the acidity is certainly notable, even if the tannins are wonderfully mellow. Very polite and unforced. Dancing – reminds Paul Pontallier of 1996 with a little less density but just as much charm. Very Margaux. This is the Cabernet of Margaux (not of Pauillac NB…) Graceful though only for certain palates. Follows through. Great line, as the Australians would say. Quite distinctive and much much more delicate than the early vintages of Margaux from the new regime here in the 1980s. Very fresh and elegant – quite a gamble in a way. Very, very fine tannins. Bone dry. Will always be in elegant idiom.