1 | Wine | Page 395

"A firm, fresh red. ...with a smoky baseline and balanced flavors of black cherry, damson plum, violet, polished oak and spice. This is structured by bright acidity and chewy tannins that come to the fore on the finish."

"Pure and brambly showing fresh, up-front aromas of raspberry and plum, with flavors to match. There's a well-defined minerally essence to this, followed by a long finish of vanilla and cream, with hints of French roast."

"The 2008 Cheval Blanc (55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc) is a winner from this underrated, classic vintage. Notes of forest floor, Asian plum sauce, black currants, sweet cherries and spice are followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with deep fruit, admirable purity, and a long, textured finish. There is not a hard edge to this wine, and in all likelihood, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Sweet, and full of caramel and butterscotch flavors, without the complexity and length. A good introduction to Malmsey."

"A very powerful and rich Merlot-based red that delivers so much currant bush, tobacco and toasty oak character. Full and layered. Goes on for minutes on the palate."

"This is dense and still quite tight, with lots of lemon verbena, chamomile, quinine, green plum and mineral notes supported by superracy yet well-embedded acidity. The finish has rapier cut, with the quinine note reverberating."

"Displays stunning aromas of crushed blackberry, strawberry and raspberry, with hints of sandalwood. Full-bodied, with focused flavors of fruit, toasty oak, vanilla bean and cedar. Long and caressing, this is a powerful yet balanced red."