Decanted for 90 minutes. Nose reticent at first pass. With a little coaxing, graphite, cedar, and that textbook Pauillac pencil shavings thing start to shine through. Tannins are mostly resolved, offering a nice grip without getting in the way. There’s a lift from the acidity that keeps it fresh all the way through the finish.
Bordeaux like this makes you sit up straight. No fluff. Structure and grit. Quietly confident and satisfying, yet leaving a bit more to be desired. Will hold my remaining bottles for a bit longer.
