While there are some secondary aromas in evidence the nose remains remarkably fresh with cool red and dark berry aromas that are laced with plenty of earth, spice and wet stone nuances. There is the classic game/humus/underbrush character to the vibrant and beautifully well-detailed middle weight flavors that possess a controlled sense of power on the mineral-driven and explosively long finish. This is a ripe '96 in the context of the vintage with excellent mid-palate concentration and while the acid spine is firm it is both well-integrated and balanced. For my taste this has arrived at its peak though it has the stuffing to hold for several more decades. Tasted thrice recently with consistent notes.

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