1994 Ferrand Lartigue

I have written before about this little treasure in St.-Emilion which has a whopping 7.25 acres of vineyards. Eight sparkling stainless steel tanks seem more than adequate to handle the small production of this property that is as well-run as a Medoc first-growth. For example, extensive crop thinning and leaf pulling are practiced at Ferrand-Lartigue, and much like the famed Petrus, no grape is harvested before 11:00 am for fear of dilution because of morning mist on the grapes. A powerful, medium to full-bodied wine with a deep ruby/purple color, and more noticeable size and weight, the fragrant (red and black fruits, smoke, and toast) 1994 is a smoothly-textured, silky St.-Emilion for drinking during its first decade of life. This is a very sexy wine. Wine Advocate.February, 1997

Black fruit, smoke and roasted coffee aromas, along with notes of tomato and menthol suggesting incomplete ripening. Smooth but somewhat featureless in the mouth; slight pepper note. Seems a bit short on extract, not to mention real ripeness. Slightly dry finish.