Domaine de Ravanes 'Les Gravières de Taurou'
  Grande Réserve 1998

Domaine de Ravanes 'Les Gravières de Taurou' Grande Réserve (VdP des Coteaux de Murviel) 1998: A wonderful deep colour, with little sign of maturity. Quite opaque. Some ethyl acetate on the nose at first - a Ravanes trademark - but this soon dissipates. What remains is a beautiful melding of smoky, stony, black olive and violet-infused blackcurrant fruit. Richly textured palate, full of extract, a wealth of sweet, ripe, elegant fruit and plenty of grip. Delightfully ripe tannins, Super balance. A wine of very high quality indeed. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. 17.5/20 (27/9/04)