Michael Schuster: Black red; ripe black currant and mineral nose; full-bodied, concentrated, severely tannic wine; ripe black currant-fruit core, clearly complex and long across the palate, and with good aromatic length; BUT, this is not a relaxed, effortless performance in the way that most of the other first growths are; the extraction of dry tannin so dominates the palate that one's attention is very much distracted from the fruit and aromas at its heart. I wonder whether it will ever become harmonious? For the moment, it seems overworked. 16.5/17?

Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve: Following a disappointing, probably overwarm chateau tasting in the morning, the afternoon sample was much more balanced and promising, revealing ripe fruit, plump body, sumptuous voluptuousness, and superfine tannins. There was no doubting the aromatic distinction of the cru, nor its refined texture, but it seemed to lack the assurance of the Lafite or the Latour's extraordinary presence on the palate. In our opinion, this is a more lightly oaked wine, which is always a good indication of solid build. 18