Neil Beckett:Deep, intense ruby, almost opaque. Attractive, fresh, succulent, and vivid on the nose, almost dripping in its cherry fruit intensity (a higher than normal Merlot proportion at 85%), but with floral lift and a fabulously gravelly mineral undertow. There is also spice from the oak, but it is already integrating well and is far from swamping the wine (Laporte felt, rightly on this showing, that the fruit could stand 100% new wood this year). Medium-bodied, creamy, densely woven, rich but not thick, with fine-grain, silken tannins and plenty of supportive structure. Intensely fruited, lightly spiced mid-palate, and revelatory transparency on the end finish, with a fruity reprise. Outstanding, and one of the wines that explains why there is such excitement about the best wines of this overhyped vintage. This was to have been bottled in May, and assuming that the fragrance, purity, and richness of this sample can be preserved (itself very much in line with the en primeur sample tasted at the property last year), then there is great scented Pomerol pleasure in store.