Not a shy wine, with peppercorn and exotic spices dominating the nose and palate. Full-bodied, with tobacco and cedarwood bringing up the flavor profile, this red has supple tannins that lend a broad feeling in the mouth. There is much grip towards the finish and acidity is finely balanced. All components playing nicely together make this a fine, classic Bordeaux, with the added value of coming from a warm vintage: this comes through strongly in the intense aromas. Decant and serve this with a rare prime rib roast. The vineyards of Larrivet-Haut-Brion, which face north in the Graves region, are composed of 50% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. They are vinified in a straightforward Bordelaise manner: after maceration and fermentation, the wine spends 18 months in oak barriques, 70% of which are new.