(Re-Tasted July 2011) ... This was a pleasant surprise of a wine to pull out of one of my Taste it Again boxes: one, because I love Cabernet Franc and two, because the folks at Chateau des Charmes seem to do it quite well - and they are particularly ageable, especially when it is the single vineyard series. So, needless to say I was thrilled to pop the top on this one. 2005: good vintage, nice heat, ripe grapes, so this one should do just fine in the glass some 6 years later. At first I have to admit I was a little skeptical, woody and cigar notes lead the aromas to the nose, but then as it opened there was some raspberry notes that also started to come up. With a little more time the wood started to subside and the fruit and cigar ash rose ... very pleasant. On the palate the same thing occurred, but it unfolded a little quicker, instead of half an hour to start to mellow (which was the time for the nose to start) it took half that time for the palate to start coming around. Spice, tobacco, cedar, and a cocoa powder dryness on the finish - there was also that woodiness, but as I mentioned it started to dissipate within a quarter of an hour and replaced itself with a the oomph and bite of a spiced characteristic. This wine needs some time in a decanter, and make sure you have a big glass to pour it into or this bruiser will get the better of you. Advice: Drink or hold a few more years.