This is a fine, if generally unremarkable, 2010 from Blaye, across the Gironde from rather more famous appellations on the Left Bank. Upon opening, it offers quite luscious, Merlot-driven strawberry and vanilla aromas, but then thins out into sharper, tarter raspberry and blackberry along with new leather, earth, wood, and smoked meat, accented with a touch of pepper (it's 25% Cab Franc and 15% Cab Sauv to go along with 60% Merlot). It underwhelms at $22 (CDN), especially for a 2010, but it certainly has good acidity, just not the fruit or savoury elements to provide a compelling flavour core.