Venerable 1853 plantings here, which perhaps could perhaps be treated to a little less new oak? Still, that’s likely just one of my many foibles. Anyway, this vintage was harvested on the 28th of April, takes in 37% whole bunch, and hangs out in new French oak for 20 months.
Classic scrub herb, orange peel and honey aromatics over black fruit and strawberry, toasty spicy sweet oak noted, but largely swallowed up by intense fruit. Medium-bodied, spice, dark orange chocolate and toffee, thick silty and silky tannin, plenty of savoury and sweet fruit on a very long finish. Good vintage for this wine.