Sensory profile The wine appears an intense, distinctively vibrant ruby with hints of light purple. The nose opens initially to smooth toasty oak, then opens in leisurely succession to well-ripened berryfruit, suggesting liqueur sour cherry, raspberry, dried plum marmalade, redcurrant, and blueberry. At its most intense, this rich fruit conveys an impression of spaciousness and sun-kissed warmth classic to the finest Merlots. The expectations created by the bouquet are fully met on the palate, where its full body is complemented by a long-driving progression and the mid-palate is enriched by a generous charge of fruit, leaving space however for impressions of roasted nuts and dried fruit that continue into a finish that is lightly but pleasantly bitterish.

Pairings Its sensory exuberance makes this Merlot superbly versatile with food, ideal with medium-aged and young, fatty cheeses; sublime with any cut or style of pork; and truly royal with sweetish lighter meats, such rabbit and hare.