Wood spice, earth, black currant and sweet cherry characteristics are found in this elegant, medium to full-bodied, surprisingly rich, well-textured effort.
The 2006 Sigalas Rabaud has a curious bouquet with peach skin and lanolin aromas, perhaps just a touch of volatile acidity here giving it lift. The palate is medium-bodied with fine balance
The NV Rosé Prestige Brut Premier Cru is a generous and well-structured blend of Pinot Noir (90%, from Vertus, the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims) and Chardonnay (Côte des Blancs) that shows a very nice, medium-intense salmon color. The wine opens with a delicately aromatic but also spicy-flavored nose of red fruits (raspberries, cherries) and reveals a delicate and fresh yet intense, round and elegant palate with a very fine mousse and a good, cleansing finish.
Dense ruby/purple in color with a glorious nose of melted licorice, lavender, barbecue smoke, black currants, and graphite, the wine is tannic, classically structured with an opaque ruby/purple color, beautiful definition, and a 1996-ish personality.
The 2012 Clerc Milon has an almost blackish-blue opaque color, soft tannins, ripe notes of blackcurrants, licorice and subtle background oak. There is an attractive floral, licorice quality to the fruit. The wine is medium to full-bodied and beautifully pure with ripe tannin.
Ducru-Beaucaillou's 1994 displays a dark purple color, a textbook, cassis, mineral, licorice, and floral-scented nose, medium body, outstanding extract and purity, moderate tannin, and a persuasively rich, sweet, spicy finish.
The aromatics are very focused with black fruit, violets, fig and mineral scents that are very well defined. There is even a dab of mint chocolate making a surprise appearance on the aftertaste.
It has fashioned a terrific, inky/blue/purple-hued 2005 with a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers, creme de cassis, pain grille, and blueberries. Powerful and concentrated with full-bodied richness, stunning purity.