St. Supery’s most prized wine, Élu, arrives this season in its 2004 incarnation. We got our hands on a bottle — marketed as a perfect Valentine’s Day bottle (trust us, she ain’t worth it!) — to put to the test.

A classic Bordeaux blend, the 2004 Élu is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. This is a tight and tannic wine, and it’s definitely begging for more time in the bottle before drinking.

Give it some time to open up and you’ll be privy to its charms, though: A rich, blueberry/blackberry core laced with spices. A little vanilla, tar, leather, and a long finish. I expect Élu will become much more accessible with added maturity, but Valentine’s Day 2009 might be a year or two too soon for it.

B+ / $70

2004 St. Supery Élu

$70

8.5

Rating

8.5/10