Bright red-ruby. Aromas of boysenberry, licorice and cedary, nutty oak lifted by a floral topnote. Juicy, dry and vinous; not a particularly fleshy wine but elegant, high-pitched and sexy, with lovely energy giving clarity to the sappy dark fruit, licorice and oak flavors. Finishes with firm tannins and very good sneaky persistence. Classic claret. Not hard today, but I'd still sock this one away.

Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick, the 2006 Rauzan-Ségla gives up dusty earth, sandalwood, cigar and Indian spices scents with a core of mincemeat pie, prunes and dried mulberries plus a waft of dried roses. Medium-bodied, firm and chewy, it has bags of freshness supporting the muscular core of evolved, spicy fruit, finishing minerally.

A big, ripe chocolate-flavored wine with spice, new wood and a smooth, polished character. It is rich, with black currant jelly flavors, but this richness is balanced with a lively freshness and subtlety in its tannins. The finish is long, the flavors echoing the perfumes on the nose.

Raspberry, violet and blueberry on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft, refined tannins and a long finish. Such finesse and precision.