88+ 2009 Chateau de Cruzeau (Pessac) 4/12/14 ($30)
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc 13% alc
Color: Medium deep garnet with just a touch of purple. (3.0) Bouquet: Cedary, sweet French oak with blackberry/cassis fruit complemented by sweet tar terroir. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight with a nice balance of acidity, tannin and fruit. Coats mouth somewhat. (3.0) Flavor: Tannins are a little green here and fruit could be more prominent to totally meet the oak, giving a lttle bitterness. (2.5) Finish: Parallels flavor. Elegance and terroir linger, making it more charming than the flavor. (3.0)
Overall: Solid Pessac red with nice terroir and some elegance. Maybe a little too much sweet, cedary French oak for the amount of fruit, but the blackberry/cassis is still very attractive. Very good now, but flavor and finish could become more giving with 2-4 years bottle age. (14.5)
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