Saturday, July 29, 2023 - We really enjoyed this wine. Opened in the middle of a meal of German beef tenderloin, as due to a surprise visit the 97 L'arrivet Haut Brion was empty sooner than later. Therefore pop and pour. My worries that without a decant this juice could be rather unwelcoming were gone with the first sip. Open for business straight away. No tannic, astringent hard edges. Smooth, balanced and easy going enough to please everyone at the table. Saved a bit to try later on day 2. This wine seems to be in it's optimal window at the moment.
On day 2: fragrant nose of cassis, wood fully integrated, body medium+. Very juicy.