1999 La Grande Rue

is has gone from strength to strength and only seems to get better with each passing year. A lightly menthol-infused nose that is exceptionally ripe yet stops short of being surmature remains almost 100% primary with ample black fruit and spice aromas seamlessly merging into the rich, full and intense flavors brimming with power and muscle yet this by no means lacks for grace or elegance on the reserved but driving finish. I really like the amount of dry extract here as it relegates the still firm tannins to the background and this should age effortlessly for years to come.