93 pts – Wine Advocate
A brilliant effort from Alexandre Thienpont, this blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc is a deep purple-colored, fleshy, layered effort offering a sweet nose of creosote, incense, Christmas spices, plenty of red and black fruits, and hints of licorice as well as new oak. Rich, medium to full-bodied, with tremendous purity in addition to nobility, give it two more years of cellaring and drink it over the next following 15-18 years. – WA, RP (6/2004)
94 pts – Wine Spectator
Very subtle aromas of blackberries, chocolate and plums follow through to a full-bodied palate, with very silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. An excellent wine with great intensity for the vintage. Very long indeed. Winemaker and part-owner Alexandre Thienpont is a master. Best after 2009. 4,000 cases made. –JS WS
93 pts – Vinous
Saturated ruby-red. Pure but reticent nose hints at plum, raspberry and chocolate. Juicy and sweet but rather closed in the middle palate. Very serious merlot here: this has terrific penetration and structure for a 21 from the Right Bank. Finishes long and gripping. A very good showing, but this wine really needs seven or eight years of additional cellaring. St. Emilion- Stephen Tanzer (5/24)
