2003 Pibran

Red-ruby. Superripe aromas of chocolate, licorice and mint. Supple, fat and verging on exotic; sweet but with solid underlying backbone. Finishes with chewy, building tannins.

(a blend of 65% merlot and 35% cabernet sauvignon) Red-ruby. Nose shows a chocolatey ripeness. Sweet, lush and rather easygoing; not hugely deep but offers very good breadth for this property. In a distinctly soft style for Pauillac, and nicely complicated by a floral element. Finishes firmly tannic but not dry. Compared to this young sample, the 2002 and 2001 examples came off as much more rustic in character. The estate has pulled out and will soon replace some of its virused cabernet vines that were producing fruit with irregular ripeness.

From a vineyard situated on the high plateau of Pauillac, near both Pontet-Canet and Mouton Rothschild, this blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon reveals excellent cassis fruit, impressive ripeness, good sweetness and depth on the palate, and a long, concentrated finish. A potential sleeper of the vintage, there are, sadly, only 5,000 cases. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016.