In recent years, due to major investments by the Belgian owners (who bought here in 1996), this Pessac Léognan estate has risen towards the top of the 'middle ranked' châteaux (Haut Brion, Laville Haut Brion etc being at the top). The red grapes here were harvested from 15 September to 12 October - all in perfect conditions - and in complete health. The red grapes cover 41 hectares of this 47ha estate. Bill Blatch: 4/5
Robert Parker [WA] 89-91 points, outstanding "Proprietor Alexandre Bonnie has been raising the quality level of this estate to higher and higher levels. Although the 2006 will not rival the 2005, it is a classic, elegant Graves offering aromas of spice box, subtle smoke, earth, currants, cherries, and background oak. The wine possesses silky tannins, medium body, excellent to outstanding fruit concentration, fine purity, and well-integrated acidity, tannin, and wood. Give it 2-4 years of bottle age, and drink it over the next 15+ years."
Stephen Tanzer [IWC] 87-89 points "Good medium ruby. Ripe, fruit-driven aromas of kirsch and black raspberry. Sweet fruit offers a pliant, chewy texture, with a complicating note of red licorice. This shows good palate presence and freshness and a rather round texture, and finishes with substantial ripe tannins."
Beverley Blanning [Decanter]: 3 Stars "Juicy and fresh, with firm structure. Good balance and length. Firm, chewy tannins. Mid-term. Quite good. 2011-26."