Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve | Great sap, magnificent construction in the mouth, noble tannin, great style—we will never see it at its peak. | 98

Michael Schuster | A fine, gently plummy Merlot-ripe nose to the fore, but with the usual very fine gravel aroma behind; rich, full, supple yet fresh enough, very finely/drily tannic; sweetly ripe in flavor, characteristically refined in texture, subtle, mouthcoating, warm, delicately mineral/gravel- suffused in aromas, long and easy and welcoming to taste, with very nice, gentle, sweet length. Slightly abruptly dry tannins on the finish and not the complex weave of a really great year. Characteristically graceful alongside the very ripe flavors, and freshly mineral and ripe-fruited to finish. Complete and fine, of course. Great? Less sure. Fragrant, easy, welcoming, rather than grand or dramatic or surprising. 2030–50+. | 94–95