Area under vine: 22 hectares.
Terroir: gravelly soil with smooth, rounded pebbles from the Isle river terraces, clay-gravel soil, sandy soil on clay and sandy soil on gravel.
Grape varieties: 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Ageing: 100% in oak barrels (50% new).
Average annual production: 100,000 bottles.
Sales: via Bordeaux negociants.
Member of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux.

By our consultant, Hubert de Bouard de Laforest:
A very beautiful dark colour, very dense, almost opaque. A tight carmine rim with good brilliance. The first nose is intense although a little shy for the moment, indicating the greatness of the vintage. Then we have crushed strawberries, raspberries, dark chocolate, roast herbs. At the end we find a touch of liquorice, and the first notes of truffle appear, still hidden under the richness of this wine. In the palate the entry is very plump, concentrated and rich with a texture of very tight knit tannins. The finish is a real cocktail of red fruit, cocoa and roast spices. A good, long, lingering finish for this keeping wine. Already showing elegance, this bottle will develop to reveal its true character in around ten years from now.

(tasted 15th September 2009)