Patience and prescience - the skills needed to enjoy an ageable wine at its zenith. And for me, the patience to hold on and finally the prescience to pull the cork on this 09 St. Estephe paid off. Beautiful pot pourri nose of dried flowers and dusty dried fruit, along with tobacco, soy and balsamic. An almost sweet note on the palate of vanilla and caramel. More dried cherry fruit and savoury umami elements inculding leather, tobacco, soy, olive and balsamic. The tannin are fully resolved and smooth and the acidity still adds vibrancy. Excellent length. No need to cellar further. June 2023.