Showing much better than it did from barrel, this wine (from another branch of the well-known Despagne family) is 94% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. A sleeper of the vintage, but unfortunately from a relatively small production, the wine has softened considerably with its upbringing. Dense bluish/purple, with hints of black raspberry, blueberry and forest notes as well as notes of underbrush and graphite, it is medium to full-bodied and richer than usual " a relatively big wine to drink over the next 7-8 years.