Dense nose, with chocolate, spice, and hint of tar and black pepper. Lithe but powerful flavors of cherry, plum, and blackberry with brown spices that linger on the finish. This wine, the only one of the evening that I'd previously tasted, was not as remarkable as I remember. Could well be that it was sitting next to the likes of of Astralis, RunRig, and Grange. I remember the previous bottle as more boisterous and floral, but this is still an wonderful wine. Tonight, 93-94, and my #4 of six.

More black pepper given on the nose than any other wine I can remember. As a result, this wine was subject to the most divergent opinions (and some harsh criticism). Despite its controversy, it was not the most discussed, because even for those who enjoyed it (e.g., me) it was far from the best at the table. The nose also carried cassis and oak, the mouth was thick with blackberries and more black pepper. Nicely done wine to my taste. 91, my #5 of six.

The least inky and extracted of the wines tonight. Apart from the Astralis, perhaps, this is the most elegant wine of the night. The nose has a distinctive and delightful note of sour cherry (which shows up again in the mouth), along with toffee, violets, anise, and pepper. Following up are flavors of black fruits and licorice, the tannins provide ample structure but are otherwise unobtrusive, and the fruits linger nicely in the finish. I was happy to buy the last bottle in stock and take it home. 94, my #3 of six.

Dense, complex nose showcasing blackberry with mints, spices, and flowers. In the mouth it is big and a little more straightforward: black fruits, with notes of chocolate and pepper. Very very exciting wine, but still doesn't seem to be revealing everything it has in store. 95, my #2 of six (also the group's #2).

Huge, beautiful floral nose, with chocolate, brown spices, and berries, with particular notes of raspberry. This is a wine you can enjoy immensely without drinking it (unfortunately, you still have to uncork it). And in the mouth, extremely juicy wine with blackberries, black pepper, and sweet spices, just as wonderful as the nose. This wine is one of the greatest I've ever enjoyed. This wine thrilled the whole party. 97-98, my #1 of six (also the group's #1).

This wine was, unfortunately, closed on the nose, faintly floral and a little brown sugar from the oak. It had very fine but shy fruit and oak flavors. Despite the long decanting in advance of the tasting, this wine is just not ready. I'll love to give it another chance in five to ten years. Little doubt this wine will be much greater, but tonight it was, for me, scored at 91, my #6 of six (but the group voted it #3).