2006 Magrez Fombrauge, St-Emilion (Elsewhere $149)

92 points Robert Parker: "Carved from a six-acre parcel of the Fombrauge estate, there are only around 360-500 cases of this luxury cuvee from Bernard Magrez. Barrel-fermented with the Burgundy-styled punching down, called pigeage, it is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The formidable 2006 is a full-bodied, powerful, opaque purple-hued effort offering notes of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, chocolate, and hints of smoke and kirsch. Sexy, opulent, and fleshy, it is surprisingly approachable for a young vintage of this cuvee, and should drink beautifully for 15 or more years." (02/09) 91 points Stephen Tanzer: "Bright ruby-red. Brooding, pure aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, bitter chocolate, mocha, menthol and minerals. Then almost surprisingly opulent and sweet, with very rich and fully ripe dark fruit and bitter chocolate flavors spreading out to saturate the palate. This is very sexy right now but has the stuffing and fine-grained, toothcoating tannins to support a decade-plus of life in bottle. In fact, some time in the cellar may bring additional complexity." (May/June 09) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Coffee bean, toasty oak and berry jam notes follow through to a full body, with cola and berry flavors and a long finish. Stylish. Almost New World in character. Much better than from barrel. Best after 2012." (Web only, 2009)