I served this wine at a recent party at Marco Polo Restaurant. The wine was simply outstanding and surprisingly ready to drink now. Its one of my picks for best Bordeaux values of 2004! The dark red brick color is first indication of something special followed by a very generous bouquet of refined dark fruits and spices. In the mouth the wine is extremely smooth offering a classic St. Estephe experience of subtle berry fruit flavors and very well developed and surprisingly smooth tannins. We all expect strong somewhat aggressive tannins in relatively young St. Estephe wines, but these tannins while quite solid are soft and graceful in the mouth. This is an excellent wine to match with Rack of Lamb or Whole Roasted Sirloin. Serve at 18℃.
John H. Isacs