Michel Bettane and Thierry Desseauve: Very oaky and lactic and not easy to analyze due to lingering traces of malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. The grapes seem fully ripe and the tannins sufficiently smooth to allow the originality of the vintage to show through. Plenty of finesse, elegance and expressive fruit (black- and red-skinned) despite the dominance of oak, with fleshy length and gorgeous tannins. 16/17