Bright full ruby. Vibrant, pristine aromas of crushed blueberry, blackberry, cassis, violet, licorice and wild herbs, plus a hint of dusty cocoa powder. Remarkably plush on entry, hinting at an almost chocolatey ripeness, then large-scaled, dense and chewy in the middle palate, with harmonious acidity and a distinctly savory quality leavening the sweetness of the wine's berry fruit. Turns sweeter again on the wonderfully long, aromatic aftertaste, which boasts noble, perfectly integrated tannins and outstanding lift. Still a baby but has all the elements for greatness. Beaulieu will introduce this wine in the fall as a centerpiece of their 80th anniversary celebration and it will be a crowd-pleaser. It's hard to compare any wine to the '68, but this may eventually prove to be the best vintage of the Private Reserve since that magical wine. (14.9% alcohol; 3.75 pH; 6.0 grams per liter total acidity; aged for 22 months in 90% new French oak)

Thick, concentrated and hugely structured, this wine from the famous site is robust in tannin and oak, with a core of tangy red fruit, both currant and cassis. It builds succulence on the palate as it opens, allowing for a generosity of spirit and fruit. Still, cellaring will benefit the wine; enjoy best from 2026-2031.