Nose - bit of smoke on the nose with nice, plummy blackcurrant & forest floor and sweet herbs on the end.

Palate - there's a bit of acidity at the back - tamed by the food and really quite nice; classic claret and more left bank than right bank. Good backbone; the fruit seems a bit lean to start but opens up, especially with food. Goes from being rather good to fantastic. Second bottle opened seemed a bit more harmonious. Long finish with the tannins just beginning to soften. Long life

***(*)

Tasted 1/4/06 at Staithe House