2003 Jean Gautreau Haut-Médoc

The 2003 Cuvée Jean Gautreau is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc picked between September 10 and 24. It has a fragrant bouquet of well-defined black fruit mixed with fresh fig and a touch of canned prune, but as with the 2003 Sociando-Mallet, there is no sense of overripeness. The fleshy palate is medium-bodied with soft tannin and touches of prune, white pepper and sage. Missing some tension on the finish, but otherwise this is drinking well. Tasted at the vertical tasting at Sociando-Mallet.