From a 3 liter bottle. Gentle, mature Bordeaux, with well integrated tannins and classic cedar/cigar box notes. A bit thin and lacking in complexity, but also enough acidity to carry it through.

From a magnum. Drinking beautifully, in peak form with no sign of fading despite many reviews anticipating its demise. Mature and balanced, with a ripe nose but more restraint on the palate than I feared. Well integrated flavors of cassis, dark cherry, old leather, tar and sweet tannins. A real treat.

From a magnum. A real pleasure, admirable in its restrained and graceful presence. Light to medium-bodied. A surprisingly floral nose. Silky and gentle on the palate, with earthy notes of mocha, cassis and cedar shavings. The word that most comes to mind is "polished," closely followed by "effortless."

Also from a magnum. A tough contrast relative to the mature and restrained '95 Caymus SS and the gentle '01 Palmer that preceded this, I struggled with the notable VA, which never blew off. The fruit was rich, ripe, pure and powerful, a bit over the top last night but clearly of tremendous quality. The palate was all blue fruit and violets, with grippy tannins and a lush finish.