Château La Croix du Casse 1995 tasted on the 01/09/2000.

Deep garnet robe tinged brick-red with "tears" running down the inside of the glass.

The first sniff is reminiscent of a bunch of red roses which develops into a bouquet of perfumes : balsam, spice and sandlewood, cloves and mint.

The second sniff conjures up vanilla ice cream and torrefaction. Behind this symphony of smells is a rich, concentrated layer of silky velvet which makes you want to taste it.

The third and final sniff after swirling the wine in the glass, reveals intense blackberry and thyme aromas. After ten minutes in the glass if you can keep it that long, the bouquet has gained in complexity.

A sweet and fresh attack with luscious flavours of ripe berry fruits. It has elegance, good balance and develops into a well-knit, complex wine underpinned with silky tannins. A multitude of flavours all coming together and finishing on a long aromatic note making you eager for another mouthful.

Château La Croix du Casse is owned and produced by Jean-Michel Arcaute http://wineplanet.com