Magrez-Fombrauge 2005

The quintessential garagiste offering from proprietor Bernard Magrez, this blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc receives such Burgundian treatments as a cold pre-fermentation maceration, malolactic in barrel, aging on its lees, and no fining or filtration. Offering a dense purple color along with huge creosote, smoke, melted licorice, fudge, blueberry, graphite, and coffee characteristics, it represents full-throttle, modern winemaking at its most intense, and is likely to cause neo-traditionalists to suffer from migraines. Expect this beauty to hit full maturity around 2014, and keep until 2030+.

Tasted blind. Very dark crimson. Light nose. Search for the flavour! Lots of structure. Very drying finish. Not much charm. 14%Drink 2016-2024

Deep red-ruby. Aromas of raspberry, smoked meat, mocha and marzipan convey an almost exotic ripeness. Fat, large-scaled and supersweet; undeniably thick and concentrated but perhaps a bit unrefined. Finishes with huge but sweet tannins. A major mouthful of wine. Fans of sheer size will rate it higher.

One of the new, “modernist,” garagiste offerings from proprietor Bernard Magrez, this wine, produced from a 5-acre parcel of the large Fombrauge vineyard, is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Treated like a favored child, it enjoys a cold maceration, barrel fermentation, aging on its lees, and no fining or filtration. A dense purple color is accompanied by sweet blueberry and creme de cassis notes interwoven with hints of licorice, graphite, and pain grille. Full-bodied and powerful with high tannin as well as superb concentration and purity, it will be drinkable between 2012-2025.