2006 La Confession

This tiny garagiste St.-Emilion, 7.5 acres, is a blend of 51% Cabernet Franc, 46% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Proprietor Jean-Philippe Janoueix has fashioned a full-bodied, deep, concentrated wine revealing sweet notes of licorice, chocolate, espresso, cassis, and cherry. Long, dense, full-bodied, rich, and pure with enough oak and acidity to add complexity and focus, it should drink well for 12-15 years. Interestingly, this cuvee received a Burgundian-like treatment of malolactic in barrel after frequent pigeages in small oak fermentation tanks, an unusual upbringing in Bordeaux. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Farmyard smells which have a certain chunky appeal. Very sweet tannins, supple and round with follow through. Pretty impressive! Complete wine which delivers, even if the oak is a bit heavily sweet and worked. (JR)