(fashioned with <70% whole clusters). I had not tried the '02 Riche in several years so it was interesting to see how it's progressing. The expressive though very cool nose is finally beginning to display the initial hints of maturity with the classic dried rose petal and spice nuances adding both elegance and breadth to the pretty mix of red fruit and plum scents. There is a beguiling mouth feel to the intensely mineral-driven broad-shouldered flavors that are at once powerful but sleek, all wrapped in a muscular and palate staining finish. The refined palate impression is considerably enhanced by the dense but extremely fine tannins, in fact so much so that while this is still very clearly on the way up it could actually be drunk now with pleasure. That said I would still strongly advise holding this strikingly pretty effort for another 6 to 10 years first. I should note that while I have had relatively consistent notes over the years, occasionally I land on a bottle that seems herbaceous and almost vegetal; why this variation occurs isn't clear but nonetheless it does happen.

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Deep, slightly reduced, smoky aromas. Fat and sweet but succulent, harmonious acids give it a penetrating quality. Powerful flavors of red cherry and spice. Quite firm on the aftertaste. This component will be racked only for the final assemblage From a second barrel, which got a microbullage rather than a racking: complex nose of humus and herbs; sweeter and suppler in the mouth, with less gas; smoother, sweeter and longer on the back. From a third barrel, racked in April: expressive, perfumed nose of red cherry and licorice. Sweet and spicy but tight in the mouth, with a firm structure and lovely finesse. But showing less fat today than the previous two samples.

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