La Tour Carnet 2006

A fabulous sleeper of the vintage, this estate, which has made a succession of brilliant wines under the administration of Bordeaux's visionary Bernard Magrez, has turned out another terrific effort. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine exhibits a sensational smorgasbord of aromas ranging from red and black fruits to toasty oak to licorice, high quality cigar tobacco, and spice box. Flavorful and full-bodied, with rich fruit, moderate but sweet tannin, and a long, pure finish, this is a dazzling effort in 2006 that should hit its adolescent stage in about 4-5 years and last for two decades. Excellent value.

This is a classy wine. A harmonious cedar inspired nose with black cherries and a touch of iodine. Good definition. The palate is quite toasty with a lot of new oak that will surely meld into the fabric of the wine in 2-3 years. Well-balanced on the palate which has good grip and a succulent blackberry finish. A lot of glycerin for the vintage. Very fine. Tasted April 2007.

Dramatically dark and glossy. Heady, even quite sumptuous though with a hint of green too! Very mellow palate impact - really very glamorous with lots of ambition. A lot of effort has gone into this wine, which is almost holding its breath at the moment, so anxious is it to make an impression. Full marks for effort. A certain sweetness on the front palate and then lots of dry tannin but there is something in between.

Bright ruby-red. Dark berries, sweet cherry, licorice and sexy oak on the vibrant nose. Dense, juicy and light on its feet, with intense, sharply delineated dark berry flavors complemented by oak. Finishes clean and persistent, with suave, palate-dusting tannins and lingering berry fruit. This subtly complex and lively wine is a major outperformer for its appellation.

Owned by Bordeaux empire builder Bernard Magrez, this estate has been on fire ... qualitatively speaking ... since 2001. The 2006, another top-notch effort, underwent two de-leafings (one in early summer and one a few months later) and two crop-thinnings, which explain the tiny yields. There is also a severe triage after the wine is made. A final blend of 60% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot has resulted in a wine with a lovely perfume of sweet black currants, truffles, incense, and smoke. With sweet but noticeable tannin, medium to full body, brilliant concentration and purity as well as terrific precision and style, this stunning effort is unquestionably a sleeper of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.