Cécile Montsec opens samples of 2011 and 2010 vintage from Jean-Luc Thunevin's portfolio. Many wines to taste!
Weather conditions
It was a memorable vintage for Bordeaux because of the extraordinary climatical conditions. After mild and dry winter, March surprised anyone with hot and dry weather, and temperatures rose to the high 20s by the end of the month.
April continued like that, with temperatures approaching 30˚ Celsius, and this hot and sunny weather lasted through May and June. There was an apparent lack of water in the vineyards.
Flowering finished on 20th May, two weeks ahead of the expected date. A sudden wave of tropical heat struck Bordeaux on the 26th and 27th of June, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius and scorched some bunches of grapes here and there. The rain came in July, and this month was mostly cloudy. The change of color of grapes came early (21st July), two weeks ahead of the average date. August was rainy, but "Indian" summer returned in September, particularly from the 21st of September.
No rain, no wind, cool nights preserving aromas, and sunny/hot weather (30˚ Celsius as in March/April!) assured a quiet harvest without interruption. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon took advantage of this and ripened perfectly. The same was the case for Petit Verdot. Merlot was perfect and was harvested during fine weather in the first half of September. The grapes were small and had more tannin than in 2010!
Red wines have more ripe fruit and ripe tannin than in 2008, with fatter tannin, bigger concentration, and long finish. Some estates harvested too early (not enough ripeness), some too late (tired fruit, overripe flavors, dry tannin), and some over-extracted. It happens, however, in every vintage nowadays.
Dry whites are stunning in 2011 thanks to excellent acidity, richness, and intensity, and worthy competitors in the 2001 and 2002 vintage, both fantastic vintages for white Bordeaux. Sweet, dry Bordeaux did the trick, again and again, producing an exceptional vintage, which may exceed all the recent vintages except 2001 and 2003. A factual attack of botrytis at lightning speed from the 8th of September assured that harvest lasted only three weeks.
VISITS
I spent almost three weeks in Bordeaux (March-April 2012), tasting around 350 2011s and additional 100-125 wines, divided into several verticals and wines in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010 vintages. Ratings on 2011s are already posted here. Here is a "short" summary of what I've experienced while tasting 2011 primeur and other vintages in Bordeaux. Visits are described chronologically, not alphabetically.
Seguin (Pessac-Leognan) – The owner Denis Darriet and his highly talented winemaker, Xavier, continue to impress and made an excellent 2011, better than 2008. The mineral and fleshy 2008 and full of sweet berry fruit and fine tannin 2009 did taste just great. 2009 Confidence(s) du Chateau Seguin, a luxury cuvee made from old vines, was more concentrated, deeper, and had a longer finish than regular cuvee. 2010, already in the tank and prepared for bottling in one or two months, was slightly closed.
In my opinion, La Mission Haut Brion (Pessac-Leognan) – 2011 reds were better than 2008, with Haut Brion slightly better than La Mission regarding strength and concentration. The second wine of both Grand Vins seemed quite successful too. New wine Quintus from Saint-Emilion made a very successful entrée in 2011. Whites in 2011 are exceptional and rival 2010, 2007, and maybe even 2002 and 2001 vintages, the two latter vintages being benchmarks for Bordeaux whites.
Corbin, Anabelle Cruse Bardinet's owner, is delighted with her 2011. Since 2008 she's worked with oenologist Jean-Philippe Fort who's associated with Michel Rolland, and this cooperation has pushed Corbin up in quality level. Excellent 2008, even better 2009 with a great aroma of chocolate, sweet fruit, splendid balance, velvety tannins, and an excellent 2010. I tasted it in September 2011. Corbin is a superb qpr for money in recent vintages, no doubt about that.
Lafleur – visited twice, first on a sunny day with 23 degrees C, then ten days later on an extremely windy day with 11-12 degrees C. Wines tasted the same on both occasions. Jacques Guinaudeau made a fantastic 2011 Lafleur, close to 2010, Extremely dense and tight, full of black cherries, very sophisticated and refined, with an exceptional balance between fatty, ripe tannins and perfectly ripe fruit, with a fabulous aftertaste that goes on and on. The second wine, 2011 Pensées de Lafleur, is one of the best efforts for this wine and eclipses the 2008 version. Pensées de Lafleur comes from a triangle plot in the center of Lafleur's vineyard. 2011 G Acte 3 and 2011 Grand Village red/white have done splendidly well for the vintage.
Clinet – made a splendid 2011, more ripe fruit here than in 2008, more fatty tannin, and better structure. 2010 Clinet seemed closed and slightly tired due to a pre-bottling stay in the vat.
Gazin – had a vertical of 2011-2009-2008-2007-2006-2005-2004. 2011 was elegant and soft, with a delicate cherry aroma, fine balance, and fruity finish. A fine effort for the vintage. 2009, 2008, and 2005 were fine efforts, too, and my cherry-pick among this trio was 2005.
VCC – bumped almost into James Suckling upon arrival and had to wait until he left the tasting room. I was received by Alexandre Thienpont's son, Guillaume, who worked with his father during the 2011 vintage. 2011 VCC was sophisticated, silky fruit and tannin, refined, elegant, and round. Excellent wine, but it was a bit too easy to taste for me and lacked some more flesh and concentration. The same story was with 2011 Le Pin, which despite its obvious kinkiness and silky texture, tasted a little bit light. Guillaume Thienpont showed us the new cellar of Le Pin, which I think looks better inside than outside. There's a spectacular view over Pomerol from the terrace of Le Pin!
Jean-Luc Thunevin – many wines to taste, 26 in all, 13 2011s and 13 2010s. A great line-up of 2011s, which I think proved that the 2011 vintage has the edge over 2008. Stunning Valandraud red, excellent Virginie de Valandraud, Le Clos de Beau Pere, Clos Badon, Bellevue de Tayac, well-made Domaine des Sabines, and Bel-Air -Ouÿ and charming Bad Boy. 2010 versions of these wines showed more concentration, length, and structure. Whites (Virginie de Valandraud and Valandraud ) were better in 2011 than in the 2010 vintage due to better acidity, intensity, and richness.
Tertre Rotebouef – I admit I fell asleep while Francois Mitjavile explained to my fellow wine-journalist friend Niko Dukan from Croatia some things about vinification, etc., as I heard these things many times before. Nevertheless, I quickly returned to total recovery from my sleep while going into the clinch with 2011 Tertre Roteboeuf. Just imagine – no optical sorting here, no double/triple selection table, no pre-fermentation carbonique. Just plain and straightforward vinification with malo in barrels. While I visited TR in September 2011, he showed me many grapes with different colors/maturity. He told me, "Izak, I get rid of course of unripe green grapes, but I use raisiny ones, as these give my wine a roasted/grilled flavor and keep the style intact. I don't make second wine at TR, so I use all my ripe grapes." Do I need to state that the 2011 TR is simply sensational and sensual, close to the 2010 version? Black cherries in Valrhona chocolate all over the place, cocoa flavor. Incredible depth, length, and finish. Mid-palate is sensationally intense. Roc de Cambes followed the same pattern and is a sensational surprise for the vintage. 2010 versions of both wines showed a bit more intensity and length but also showed how well the 2011s fared!! Tasted also 2011 Domaine de L'Aurage from Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, made by the son of Francois Mitjavile, Louis, and it was very well made with a black cherry aroma, freshness, and fine length.
L'Eglise Clinet – I haven't visited this property for a while, but I managed to arrange a visit at the property this time. And I've to say I was incredibly impressed with the line-up of 2011s! Saintayme (St-Emilion GC), Montlandrie (Castillon), La Chenade and Les Cruzelles (both from Lalande de Pomerol), and La Petite Eglise (Pomerol) was extremely impressive for the vintage. L'Eglise Clinet was a distinct, classy, stylish, rich wine with various nuances and excellent length/aftertaste. Full-blown ripeness of fruit and tannin and beautiful balance. Wow, stuff from Denis Durantou!
Francois Estager - a nice line-up of 6 2011s - Domaine des Gourdins (St-Emilion), Domaine de Gachet (Lalande de Pomerol), La Papeterie (Montagne Saint-Emilion), Plincette (Pomerol), Haut Maillet (Pomerol) and La Cabanne (Pomerol). My cherry pick was La Cabanne, with a delicate aroma of blackberries, elegant style, and fine length. I also tasted 2010 La Cabanne which offered more sweet fruit and a longer finish than the 2011 vintage.
Bourgneuf - I asked for a vertical of this property to see how its wines performed. Vayron family prepared an impressive tasting of 15 vintages - 1985-1989-1990 (magnum) -1995-1999-2000-2001-2003-2005-2006-2007-2008-2009-2010-2011. Bourgneuf vineyard is situated close to Trotanoy and has the same soil conditions. Frederique Vayron, daughter of Dominique and Xavier Vayron, started to make wine here in the 2008 vintage with the help and advice of her father, but since 2009 vintage, it's she who takes all decisions. It was exciting to taste the style change towards more ripe fruit/tannin, round corners, and more precise vinification, resulting in a more complex and richer wine from the 2009 vintage. I was very impressed by the 2011 vintage of Bourgneuf, which I tasted on three different occasions. At the property (warm sunny weather), then Cercle Rive Droite a day later (same weather), and during the tasting of Jean-Pierre Moueix wines nine days later in cold weather.
My three TNs of Bourgneuf are the same and give an impression of a highly well-made wine - a captivating aroma of crushed black cherries mixed with cocoa and grated chocolate, solid and refined on the palate, great length, and formidable finish. Close in quality to stunning 2009 and 2010 and a real surprise. Classy wine-work, distinct wine, which proudly represents the terroir of Pomerol.
However, Frederique's father didn't take prisoners. He made an excellent 1985 (no oak here), a splendid 1995 with truffles everywhere, a super-duper 2000 for extended cellaring, and a surprisingly successful 2003 with very much truffle aroma on the nose, captivating and delicate, supple, and velvety on the palate with lovely elegance, complexity and caressing aftertaste. No sign whatsoever of excessively heated fruit in this wine which is so typical for the 2003 vintage. 2005 had years and years to go, while 2008 circulated between traditional and slightly modern style. I can't and won't hide that I'm a great fan of Bourgneuf, and I'm also aware that some of my colleagues in the wine-writing business aren't that impressed with Bourgneuf. Still, Bourgneuf is an excellent value for money, be sure of that.
Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse - I had an interesting vertical spanned over seven vintages - 2005-2006-2007-2008-2009-2010-2011.
For the 2009 vintage, there was a change of consultant and winemaker. Nicolas Thienpont and his assistant, David Suire, are responsible for vinification, while Stephane Derenencourt is the consultant. Robert Parker gave 2009 vintage 100p, which, imho is too high a rating. 2010 was much better than 2009, for my taste. Great intensity of aromas of black cherries on the nose and palate, with excellent purity, structure, and length. Excellent effort. Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire shared my opinion of 2010 Beausejour DL being better wine than 2009!
I liked 2008 a lot - aromatic and deep nose of red fruit. More intensity, more depth, and better ripeness of the fruit. Very sappy, long, and complex. 2005 gave the impression of a wine in a deep sleep and therefore was difficult to assess. There was more of a sleeping giant than fine wine. 2011 Beauséjour made a great impression on me, and I felt it surpassed the 2009 version! Strong, robust, and powerful, with a lot of ripe black fruit, excellent intensity, and depth on the nose, very long aftertaste, pure and hedonistic. A great success of the vintage. Kudos to Nicolas Thienpont and David Suire!
I also tasted other 2011s in which Nicolas Thienpont & Co were involved - very well-made.
Puygueraud Francs Cotes de Bordeaux – very fruity, very nice tannins and balance. Spicy and with undertones of earth. Nice wine.
La Prade Francs Cotes de Bordeaux – more intensity and length here than in Puygueraud. A more prolonged aftertaste and better quality of fruit. Fine effort.
Alcée Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux – like La Prade but with more spicy fruit and long on the palate. Firm aftertaste. Fine black fruit. Fine effort.
Trimoulet St.E.G.C. – elegant, very nice fruit, aromatic, gentle, good length, the maturity of fruit is excellent for the vintage. Lingering aftertaste.
Berliquet St.E. GCC. – intense and concentrated, plenty of black cherries, sappy, splendid depth and length. Superb wine.
Larcis Ducasse St.E.GCC. – like Berliquet but with more concentration and length.
Pavie Macquin St.E. PGCC. – strong, the fruit is ripe á point. Some extraction – modern style.
Les Charmes Godard Francs Cotes de Bordeaux white – fresh, fine acidity, delicate aromas of apple and pear. Fine length and caressing aftertaste.
Cercle Rive Droite - more than 130 wines to taste, but I managed to taste more app. half of these. Mixed bag with some excellent and splendid wines and over-extracted and overripe wines. My cherry picks were: Clos L'Eglise, Bourgneuf, Barde Haut, Boutisse, Ampelia, Veyry, CarlMagnus, La Dauphine, Barrabaque, Haut Carles and Bon Pasteur.
Le Gay - tasted the usual "menu" of five wines - La Graviere (Lalande de Pomerol), Montviel, Manoir de Gay, Le Gay, and La Violette. All wines presented exceptionally well and seemed to have more ripe fruit and tannin than the 2008 vintage.
Domaine de Chevalier/Guiraud/wines from Neipperg - highlights of this evening's tasting before primeur week were Domaine de Chevalier red and white, La Mondotte, Canon-La-Gaffeliere, and Guiraud. Lespault Martillac in red and white, plus D'Aiguilhe and Clos de L'Oratoire, didn't disappoint - well-made wines.
Canon - 2011 showed silky fruit and tannin, elegance, fine smoothy structure, and length. Smooth aftertaste. 2010 vintage had, of course, more intensity, and depth was richer and longer on the finish.
Petrus - Olivier Berrouet told me it was impossible to obtain better fruit ripeness at Petrus in the 2011 vintage due to challenging weather conditions in spring/summer. The key in this vintage was not to over-extract, do gentle maceration and use a mild amount of new oak. 2011 had fresh acidity, delicate berry fruit, discrete oak, and excellent balance. Lighter and elegant style in 2011.
Domaine de Chevalier - very interesting vertical of red spanning over three decades (1983-2011). My cherry picks were 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000 and 1998. The big surprise was 1984, still very well alive and kicking!
Climens - did a quick harvest in three weeks in September. I tasted several barrels/lots of 2011, and this vintage showed much promise. It may eclipse 2010, 2009, and 2005, but can it challenge the otherworldy 2001? I also tasted 1982, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 vintages, especially the extremely impressive 2009, 2007, and 2005 ones.
Sauternes & Barsac - first UGC tasting (blind) - 25 wines tasted. Overall very high quality; many wines reminded me of the 2007 and 2009 vintage, some close to 2010 vintage. I'm curious, however, if the 2011 vintage can challenge 2001, as I heard it from some wine people in Sauternes & Barsac. Leaders of the pack -Clos Haut Peyraguey, Coutet, Fargues, Lafaurie Peyraguey, Rieussec, Suduiraut and La Tour Blanche.
Medoc, Listrac, Moulis & Margaux - second UGC blind tasting. The wines showed pretty well, and the stars were: Fourcas Hosten in Listrac. Maucaillou in Moulis, Cantenac Brown, Dauzac, Kirwan, Labegorce, Monbrison and Rauzan Segla.
Pontet Canet - this property produced an elegant wine in 2011. Not quite in the league of 2010, 2009, and 2005 vintages, but you can't take away finesse, refined touch, and silkiness from this catchy wine.
Pichon Baron - tasted Pibran, Les Tourelles de Longueville (Pichon Baron's second wine), Pichon Baron, Petit Village, and Suduiraut. Pibran was a lovely wine with its flowery aromas and meaty palate. Pichon Baron showed power, perfect length, and structure. Petit Village was faultless wine with delicate fruit, although a bit light. In contrast, Suduiraut showed exceptionally healthy and identically impressive as the day before at Coutet.
La Lagune - I was able to taste 2011 and 2010 vintages. 2011 had a splendid nose of black cherries, intense, firm structure and backbone, excellent acidity, and a long finish. 2010 tasted more powerful with sweeter fruit, fatter tannin, and a long finish.
Haut Medoc, Saint Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estephe - third UGC blind tasting. The wines showed quite well, and the stars were: Malescasse and La Tour Carnet. I Haut Medoc, Leoville Barton, Leoville Poyferre and Beychevelle in Saint Julien, Lynch Bages and Pichon Comtesse in Pauillac, plus Cos Labory and Les Ormes de Pez in Saint Estephe. In the afternoon, I did a "Grand Tour", which included the same chateaux for the past eight years, primeur visiting, Lafite, Latour, Margaux, and Palmer.
d'Yquem - it was an evening tasting with 2011 and 1997 vintages. 2011 showed fantastically, but 1997 bearing 15 years on its shoulder, was also outstanding.
Graves/Pessac Leognan - fourth UGC blind tasting. Excellent reds and great whites are among the majority of wines. Certainly better vintage here compared to 2008, more homogeneous and with higher scores on wines.
La Confession - Jean-Philippe Janoueix makes semi-modern wines with a lot of fruit, oak, and extraction. 2011s tasted better than the 2008s in many other places in Bordeaux. La Confession, La Croix St.Georges, Sacre Coeur, 20 Mille, Le Conseiller, and Croix Mouton showed excellent fruit ripeness, freshness, well-integrated oak, and fleshy texture.
Chateau Balestard La Tonnelle
Balestard La Tonnelle - final accommodation arranged by UGC on Thursday night. I have always thought that Troplong Mondot has the best view of Saint-Emilion village. Still, I probably have seen nothing yet, since the view from Balestard La Tonnelle is simply as spectacular or better! The chateau itself, garden, cellar, and surroundings look stunning. 2011 wines from the Cap de Mourlin family, Balestard La Tonnelle, Cap de Mourlin, and Petit Faurie de Soutard are healthy and correctly made wines in traditional style. For my taste, they lack freshness and acidity, which could be explained by late harvesting, especially in very good vintages. Would wines improve dramatically by harvesting earlier?!
Ausone - tasted the usual six wines line-up. Nice Simard, de Fonbel, and Haut Simard step up in quality, then while tasting Moulin St. Georges and Chapelle d'Ausone, exceptional Grand Vin, very concentrated, refined, sophisticated, and persistent finish.
Cheval Blanc - Grand Vin had silky fruit and silky tannin, an excellent intensity of fruit, and great complexity and persistent though caressing finish. Le Petit Cheval was a great second wine, lighter than GV but with the same characteristics. La Tour du Pin and Quinault L'Enclos were well-made wines.
Jean-Pierre Moueix - there were 14 wines to taste - Puy Blanquet (Saint-Emilion), La Serre (Saint-Emilion), Magdelaine, Belair Monange, Plince, Lafleur Gazin, Bourgneuf, La Grave, Latour-á-Pomerol, Certan-de-May, La Providence, Hosanna, La Fleur Petrus and Trotanoy. Puy Blanquet, La Serre, Magdelaine, Plince, La Grave, and Lafleur Gazin were well made. At the same time, Belair Monange, Bourgneuf, Latour-á-Pomerol, Certan de May, La Providence, Hosanna, La Fleur Petrus, and Trotanoy impressed a lot.
Pavie - I tasted the usual line-up of wines - Lasseau (St.Emilion), Monbousquet red and white, Clos Lunelles, Pavie Decesse, Bellevue Mondotte, and Pavie. I thought Pavie, Pavie Decesse, and Bellevue Mondotte weren't overripe and over-extracted. Yes, there was some extraction, but Perse wines are made in the modern style, and you can't just disqualify these wines because of that style. Barrel samples were fresh enough for me. While all three wines expressed great complexity, richness, and length and finished on the palate, I found the first two wines firm and fleshy with great concentration, while Pavie was more elegant for me. I quite liked Monbousquet in both colors.
Certan de May - Jean Luc Barreau-Badar, owner and winemaker, prepared four vintages for me to taste, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008. All four vintages were impressive - 2010 and 2009 in close-run with ripe black fruit + cocoa, fleshy, complex, great balance, and a terrific finish. 2010 seemed, however, more concentrated with fatter tannin and longer aftertaste. 2011 was not far behind 2010 and 2009, with its splendid structure and a strong backbone, while 2008 oozed truffles, a delicate aroma of black cherries, and fine complexity/length.
Mouton Rothschild vertical - Philippe Dhalluin, managing director, prepared 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006 vintages of Mouton Rothschild. Before this vertical, I tasted Petit Mouton, d'Armailhac, and Clerc Milon in vintage 2011. The same line-up of 2011s I did taste one week before. 2009 Mouton Rothschild had the edge over 2010 on the day of tasting, but 2010 Mouton Rothschild will be the better wine. Both were rich, sophisticated, with a great deal of finesse and elegance, stunningly balanced. 2008 had an excellent nose of blackcurrants, very long on the palate, and with a persistent aftertaste. It still needed to blossom fully, but have patience. 2007 was excellent for the vintage with a captivating nose of black cherries, round and elegant, lighter than 2008, and had fine fruit ripeness. 2006 was closed but had many similarities to 2008. 2011 was only 30 hl/ha. Finesse, very long on the palate with silky tannin, elegant and with great balance. Clerc Milon was impressive.
Phelan Segur - little vertical of 2011-2010-2009-2008-2007-2006-2005. 2010 and 2009 were stars of this vertical with chocolate and black cherries, great aromas, splendidly structured and harmonious. I thought 2009 had more fruit sweetness and was longer on the palate. 2005 was very well-knitted and aromatic. 2011 offered freshness, pleasing aromas, spicy fruit, and delicate balance. Wines from this property is a good value for money.
de Pez - tasted Bernadotte (Haut Medoc), Haut Beausejour (Saint Estephe), de Pez (Saint Estephe), Reserve de La Comtesse and Pichon Comtesse in vintages 2011 and 2010. All 2011s were well made, particularly Bernadotte, Haut Beausejour, de Pez, and Pichon Comtesse. The 2010s displayed more ripeness and sweetness of fruit, fatter tannin, and more length.
Calon Segur - it was an exciting visit to the property I visited last time 22 years ago. I tasted 2011, 2010, and 2009 vintages of Calon Segur and Capbern Gasqueton. They are very characterful wines with power, depth, and minerality. The same pattern as other places on Left Bank in 2010 and 2009 is better than in 2011. However, there's nothing to complain about in 2011, as wines here are extremely well made.
Montrose - all four 2011 wines presented, Tronquoy de Saine-Anne, Tronquoy Lalande, La Dame de Montrose, and Montrose-were faultless, very characteristic for the district somewhat lighter than usual.
Lamothe Cissac - I visited this property during primeur to see if my enthusiasm for this wine from tasting several vintages in Copenhagen in the winter of 2012 was justified. Yes, it was. 2011 is a splendid vintage here for regular and luxury cuvée; however not challenging the 2010 and 2009 vintage. Excellent qpr for money.
Yquem vertical is the first vertical of the day, my last tasting day during my primeur stay in Bordeaux. 2009-2008-2007-2006 and 2011 to round the tasting off. Sandrine Garbay, Yquem's winemaker, was on hand to answer all questions. 2011 was again a shining star, 2007 very close to 2011 with incredible botrytis and richness, 2009 even richer and mega intense, and more down to earth 2006, captivating, refined, and with an excellent honeyed finish. Extremely memorable tasting! Starting with the 2007 vintage, the period spent in barrels was shortened from 3 to 2 years to give more freshness to the wine.
God's nectar here
Raymond Lafon vertical - second vertical of the day - vintages 2011-2010-2009-2008-2007-2006-2005-2004-2003-2002-2001 in a great company of Jean-Pierre Meslier. 2003 and 2001 were exceptional, while 2010 seemed to have edged 2011 at the time of tasting (April 2012); 2009, 2007, and 2005 were beautiful wines, while 2008, 2006, 2004, and 2002 represented their respective vintages with great success. Very impressive showing.
Clos Haut Peyraguey vertical - a third vertical of the day and the same line-up of vintages as at Raymond Lafon. I was very impressed and stunned by this property's style, character, and class of wines. Usually, I taste Clos Haut Peyraguey from the barrel and then nothing, as this wine isn't exported to Denmark.
Spectacular view from Clos Haut Peyraguey to Yquem!
Clos Haut Peyraguey vertical - a third vertical of the day and the same line-up of vintages as at Raymond Lafon. I was very impressed and stunned by this property's style, character, and class of wines. Usually, I taste Clos Haut Peyraguey from the barrel and then nothing, as this wine isn't exported to Denmark. That particular day I'd have a chance to learn if wines from this property are as stunning after bottling. Yes, they are! 2003 and 2001 were sensational. 2010, 2009, 2007, and 2005 were slightly behind, while 2011 looked like a big prize in Lotto. 2004 and 2002 seemed like great successes, and 2006 and 2008 were impressive.
Nairac vertical - fourth vertical of the day and line-up was 2011-2009-2008-2007-2006-2005-2004. 2009 and 2007 were the best ones, 2005 seemed entirely closed, while 2011 had great potential. Excellent showing.
RATINGS
d'Aiguilhe Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 88 Aile d'Argent 91 Alter Ego de Palmer Margaux 90-91 Alcée Castilllon Cotes de Bordeaux 88-89 Ampelia Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 91 Angélus St-Emilion GC 92-93 d'Angludet Margaux 89 d'Arche Sauternes & Barsac 91 d'Armailhac Pauillac 89-90 Ausone St-Emilion GC 96 Bad Boy Bordeaux 88 Balestard La Tonnelle St-Emilion GC 90
Barde-Haut St-Emilion GC 93 Barrabaque Canon-Fronsac 91 Bastor Lamontagne Sauternes & Barsac 87 Batailley Pauillac 92 Beaulieu Comtes de Tastes Bordeaux Superieur 86 Beau-Séjour Bécot St-Emilion GC 90-92 Beaumont Haut-Médoc 91 Beauregard Pomerol 90 Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse St-Emilion GC 94-95 Beau Soleil Pomerol 87 Belair-Monange St-Emilion GC 93 Bel-Air Ouÿ St-Emilion GC 88 Belgrave Haut-Médoc 90 Bellegrave Pomerol 87 Bellevue St-Emilion GC 90 Bellevue de Tayac Margaux 90
Bellevue Mondotte St-Emilion GC 95 Berliquet St-Emilion GC 89 Bernadotte Haut Medoc 87 Beychevelle St-Julien 93 Bon Pasteur Pomerol 92 Bonalgue Pomerol 87 Bourgneuf Pomerol 93-94 Bouscaut red Pessac-Léognan 88 Boutisse St-Emilion GC 91-92 Branaire St-Julien 90 Brane-Cantenac Margaux 92 Broustet Sauternes & Barsac 90 La Cabanne Pomerol 91 Cantelauze Pomerol 90 Caillou Sauternes & Barsac 91 Calon Segur St-Estephe 93 de Camensac Haut-Médoc 90 Canon St-Emilion GC 92-93
Canon-La-Gaffelière St-Emilion GC 91-92 Cantemerle Haut-Médoc 91 Cantenac-Brown Margaux 92-93 Capbern Gasqueton Saint-Estephe 90 Cap de Mourlin St-Emilion GC 88-89 Carbonnieux red Pessac-Léognan 91-92 Carbonnieux white Pessac-Léognan 92-93 CarlMagnus Fronsac 90 Les Carmes Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 92 Le Carillon de L'Angelus St-Emilion GC 87 Carruades de Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 89-90 La Carte de Haut Brion (white wine) Pessac-Leognan 91 Certan de May de Certan Pomerol 91-92
Chadenne Fronsac 88 Chantegrive red Graves 91 Chantegrive white Graves 92-93 Chapelle d'Ausone St-Emilion GC 90 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 90 Les Charmes Godard white Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 91 Chasse Spleen Moulis 88 La Chenade Lalande de Pomerol 91 Cheval Blanc St-Emilion GC 96 Citran Haut-Médoc 90 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 90 Clarke Listrac 87 Clerc Milon Pauillac 91 La Clemence Pomerol 88-89 Climens Sauternes & Barsac 97-98 Clinet Pomerol 94-95
Clos Badon Thunevin St-Emilion GC 90-91 Clos des Baies St-Emilion GC 89-90 Le Clos de Beau Pere Pomerol 92 Clos de l'Oratoire St-Emilion GC 89-90 Clos Fourtet St-Emilion GC 92 Clos Haut Peyraguey Sauternes & Barsac 94+ Clos l'Eglise Pomerol 92-93 Clos les Lunelles Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 88 Clos Romanile St-Emilion GC 88 La Confession St-Emilion GC 94 La Conseillante Pomerol 94 Le Conseiller Bordeaux Superieur 89 Corbin St-Emilion GC 92+ Corbin Michotte St-Emilion GC 91
Les Cruzelles Lalande de Pomerol 91 Coufran Haut-Médoc 91 Cos-Labory St-Estèphe 92 La Couspaude St-Emilion GC 88 Coutet Sauternes & Barsac 94+ La Croix Saint-Georges Pomerol 93-94 La Croix de Gay Pomerol 89 Croix Mouton Bordeaux Superieur 89 Croizet-Bages Pauillac 91-92 Dalem Fronsac 89 La Dame de Montrose St-Estèphe 88 Dassault St-Emilion GC 92 de La Dauphine Fronsac 91 Dauzac Margaux 92-93 Desmirail Margaux 91 Doisy Daene Sauternes & Barsac 93-94
Doisy Vedrines Sauternes & Barsac 94 Domaine de l'Aurage Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 88 Domaine de Chevalier red Pessac-Léognan 92 Domaine de Chevalier white Pessac-Léognan 96+ Domaine de Gachet Lalande de Pomerol 86-87 Domaine de la Solitude white Pessac-Léognan 88 Domaine des Cambes Bordeaux 87 Domaine des Gourdins St-Emilion 86 Domaine des Sabines Lalande de Pomerol 89 La Dominique St-Emilion GC 91-92 Le Dragon de Quintus St-Emilion GC 86 Duhart-Milon-Rothschild Pauillac 90-91
L'Eglise Clinet Pomerol 96 L'Esprit de Chevalier white Pessac-Léognan 88 de Fargues Sauternes & Barsac 95+ Fayat Pomerol 87 Ferrande red Graves 91 Ferrande white Graves 88 Ferrière Margaux 92 Feytit-Clinet Pomerol 87 de Fieuzal red Pessac-Léognan 92 de Fieuzal white Pessac-Léognan 93 Figeac St-Emilion GC 91 Filhot Sauternes & Barsac 91 Fleur Cardinale St-Emilion GC 90-91 La Fleur de Boüard Lalande de Pomerol 88 La Fleur de Gay Pomerol 90 Les Plus de La Fleur de Boüard Lalande de Pomerol 89
La Fleur Petrus Pomerol 93 de Fonbel St-Emilion GC 88-89 Fonreaud Listrac 87 Fontenil Fronsac 90-91 Les Forts de Latour Pauillac 91 Fourcas Dupre 89 Fourcas Hosten 88 Franc-Mayne St-Emilion GC 87 de France red Pessac-Léognan 91-92 de France white Pessac-Léognan 91 de Francs Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 87 G Acte 3 Bordeaux Superieur 89 La Gaffelière St-Emilion GC 90-91 Le Gay Pomerol 93-94 Gazin Pomerol 91 Girolate Bordeaux 86 Giscours Margaux 92-93 Gloria St-Julien 91-92
Grand Mayne St-Emilion GC 91-92 Grand Ormeau Lalande de Pomerol 87 Grand-Puy-Ducasse Pauillac 91 Grand Puy Lacoste 92 Grand Village red Bordeaux Superieur 88-89 Grand Village white Bordeaux Superieur 89 La Grave Pomerol 88 La Graviere Lalande de Pomerol 89 Greysac Médoc 89 Gruaud-Larose St-Julien 92 Guiraud Sauternes & Barsac 93-94 Haut Bages Liberal 89 Haut-Bailly Pessac-Léognan 91-93 Haut Beausejour St-Estephe 87
Haut-Bergey red Pessac-Léognan 91 Haut-Bergey white Pessac-Léognan 92 Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 96-97 Haut-Brion white Pessac-Léognan 97-98 Haut Carles Fronsac 90 Haut Maillet Pomerol 89 Haut Simard St-Emilion GC 88 Joanin-Bécot Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 91 Hosanna Pomerol 93-94 Kirwan Margaux 93 Labégorce Margaux 92 Lafite-Rothschild Pauillac 95+ Lafleur Pomerol 97 Lafleur Gazin Pomerol 90 Lafon-Rochet St-Estèphe 92-93 Lafaurie Peyraguey Sauternes & Barsac 94+
Lagrange St-Julien 91 Lamarque Haut-Médoc 91 La Lagune Haut Medoc 92-93 Lamothe Sauternes & Barsac 89 Lamothe Guignard Sauternes & Barsac 91 Lamothe Cissac Haut Medoc 89 Lamothe Cissac Vieilles Vignes Haut Medoc 90-91 Langoa-Barton St-Julien 91 Larcis Ducasse St-Emilion GC 91-92 Larmande St-Emilion GC 90 Laroze St-Emilion GC 90 Larrivet-Haut-Brion Pessac-Léognan 93 Larrivet Haut Brion white Pessac-Léognan 93 Lascombes Margaux 92 Lasseau St-Emilion GC 88 Latour Pauillac 96-97
Latour-Martillac red Pessac-Léognan 92-93 Latour-Martillac white Pessac-Léognan 94 Latour-á-Pomerol Pomerol 92 de Laussac Cuvée Sacha Castillon/Côtes de Bordeaux 88-89 Lécuyer Pomerol 87 Lespault Martillac red Pessac-Léognan 88 Lespault Martillac white 89-90 Léoville-Barton St-Julien 94-95 Léoville-Poyferré St-Julien 93 La Louvière red Pessac-Léognan 92+ La Louvière white Pessac-Léognan 92 Lune d'Argent white Bordeaux 87 Lynch Bages Pauillac 92 Lynch-Moussas Pauillac 87
Magdelaine St-Emilion GC 92 Malartic-Lagravière red Pessac-Léognan 89 Malartic-Lagravière white Pessac-Léognan 92 Malescasse Moulis 91 Malescot-Saint-Exupéry Margaux 92-93 de Malle Sauternes & Barsac 91-92 Manoir de Gay 88 Margaux Margaux 95-96 Marquis d'Alesme Margaux 92-93 Marquis de Terme Margaux 91 Maucaillou Haut Medoc 88-89 La Mission Haut-Brion red Pessac-Léognan 95-96 La Mission Haut-Brion white Pessac-Léognan 96-97
Monbousquet St-Emilion GC 92 Monbousquet white Bordeaux 92-93 Monbrison Margaux 92 La Mondotte St-Emilion GC 93-94 Montlandrie Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 89-90 Montrose St-Estèphe 91-92 Montviel Pomerol 88 Moulin Haut-Laroque Fronsac 90-91 Moulin Pey-Labrie Canon-Fronsac 90-91 Moulin Saint-Georges St-Emilion GC 90 Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac 95-96 Myrat Sauternes & Barsac 93-94 Nairac Sauternes & Barsac 92-94 Olivier red Pessac-Léognan 88 Olivier blanc Pessac-Léognan 92-93
Les Ormes de Pez St-Estèphe 92+ Palmer Margaux 95 Pape Clément Pessac-Léognan 93-94 Pape Clément blanc Pessac-Léognan 93-94 La Papeterie Montagne St-Emilion 87 Pauillac de Château Latour Pauillac 88 Pavie St-Emilion GC 95-96 Pavie-Decesse St-Emilion GC 94-95 Pavie-Macquin St-Emilion GC 92-93 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux Margaux 91-92 Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux Bordeaux 94+ Penin Bordeaux Superieur 86 Pensées de Lafleur Pomerol 91 Perron La Fleur Lalande de Pomerol 87
La Petite Eglise Pomerol 90-91 Le Petit Cheval St-Emilion GC 91 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac 88-89 Petit Village Pomerol 89-90 Petrus 95 de Pez St-Estephe 91 Phélan-Ségur St-Estèphe 91-92 Pibran Pauillac 90 Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac 92+ Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Pauillac 92+ Picque Caillou red Pessac-Léognan 91-92 Picque Caillou white Pessac-Léognan 93-94 Le Pin Pomerol 95 Plince Pomerol 88 Plincette Pomerol 88 La Pointe Pomerol 88 Pontet-Canet Pauillac 94
Poujeaux Moulis 88 La Prade Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 88 Prieure Lichine Margaux 91 La Providence Pomerol 91 Puy Blanquet St-Emilion GC 88 Puygureaud Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 87 Quinault l'Enclos St-Emilion GC 88 Quintus St-Emilion GC 90-91 Rabaud Promis Sauternes & Barsac 93 Rahoul Péssac Léognan 91 Rahoul white 91 Rauzan-Gassies Margaux 90-91 Rauzan-Ségla Margaux 92-93 Raymond Lafon Sauternes & Barsac 92-94 Rayne Vigneau Sauternes & Barsac 94 Reignac Bordeaux Superieur 87
Reserve de La Comtesse Pauillac 87-88 Rieussec Sauternes & Barsac 95+ de La Riviere Fronsac 89-90 de La Riviere Fronsac Aria 90-91 Roc de Cambes Côtes de Bourg 93 Romer Sauternes & Barsac 90 Sácre Coeur 92 Pomerol Saintayme St-Emilion GC 89 Saint-Pierre St-Julien 91 Sansonnet St-Emilion GC 87 Sergent Lalande de Pomerol 87 Seguin Pessac-Léognan 92-93 La Serre St-Emilion GC 89 Sigalas Rabaud Sauternes & Barsac 94 Simard St-Emilion GC 87 Siran Margaux 91
Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan 92 Smith Haut Lafitte white Pessac-Léognan 95 Soutard St-Emilion GC 93 Suau Sauternes & Barsac 89 Suduiraut Sauternes & Barsac 94+ Taillefer Pomerol 88-89 Talbot St-Julien 93 du Tertre Margaux 91 Tertre-Roteboeuf St-Emilion GC 97 Thieuley Bordeaux 86 La Tour du Pin St-Emilion GC 89 La Tour Carnet Haut-Médoc 91 Les Tourelles de Longueville Pauillac 88 Tour de Mirambeau Cuvée Passion Bordeaux 86-87 Trimoulet St-Emilion GC 88-89 Tournefeuille Lalande de Pomerol 87
Les Trois Croix Fronsac 89-90 Tronquoy-Lalande St-Estèphe 88-89 Troplong-Mondot St-Emilion GC 93 Trotanoy Pomerol 95 Trottevieille St-Emilion GC 90-91 La Tour Blanche Sauternes & Barsac 94+ La Tour de By Medoc 88 Valandraud St-Emilion GC 95-96 Valandraud white Bordeaux 92 3 de Valandraud St-Emilion GC 88 Val de Roc Bordeaux Superieur 88 Veyry Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 91 La Vieille Cure Fronsac 88-89 Vieux Château Certan Pomerol 94-95 Villars Fronsac 88
Vingt Mille Bordeaux Superieur 89 La Violette Pomerol 94 Domaine Virginie Thunevin St-Emilion GC 87 Virginie de Valandraud St-Emilion GC 91 Virginie de Valandraud white Bordeaux 90 d'Yquem Sauternes & Barsac 98-99
TASTING NOTES - DISTRICT BY DISTRICT
SAUTERNES & BARSAC
d'Yquem showed multiple botrytised aromas, a lot of sweetness and corresponding acidity, sophisticated touch, fabulous intensity, stunning balance, length, and finish. Exceptional stuff. 98-99p.
Climens was tasted as usual from different barrels and blends. Incredible purity of botrytised flavors, richness, acidity, fabulous intensity, and finesse. This was a heavenly thrill. It may develop to be better than 2010, but I want to know if it will compete with 2001. 97-98p.
De Fargues and Rieussec had extremely intense acacia honey and apricot nose, a strong and full-bodied palate, and excellent acidity and balance. Killer wines. 95+p.
Clos Haut Peyraguey and Coutet had plenty of botrytised flavors, like pineapple, lemon peel, and grapefruit, excellent acidity, myriad nuances, strong structure, superb balance, and a long honeyed finish. Fabulous wines. 94+p. Lafaurie Peyraguey, Suduiraut, and La Tour Blanche were as impressive as Clos Haut Peyraguey and Coutet, with great depth, sweetness, and a long lingering aftertaste. Simply stunning wines. 94+p.
Doisy Vedrines had a very expressive nose of acacia honey. The apricot was very powerful on the palate with excellent acidity and corresponding fruit sweetness and displayed impressive depth and honeyed aftertaste. 94p. Rayne Vigneau and Sigalas Rabaud impressed with loads of grapefruit, pear, dried apricots on the nose, delightful sweetness and acidity on the palate, outstanding balance, Lingering finish. 94p. Fabulous wines, all three!
Doisy Daene offered intense flavors of acacia honey, orange peel, and pear, a great combination of sweetness and acidity, a superb concentration of candied fruits on the palate, and a honeyed finish. 93-94p. Guiraud and de Myrat followed in the same style as Doisy Daene. 93-94p. Raymond Lafon appeared as an exquisite wine with much finesse, rich acidity, exquisite balance, great complexity, and a honeyed finish. A bit lighter than previous vintages. Nevertheless, it's a terrific wine that can only improve with time. 93-94p.
Nairac offered a wide range of botrytised flavors like grapefruit, lemon peel, pineapple, and pear. It was distinguished and long on the palate with great sweetness, acidity, and graceful aftertaste. Silky texture. 92-94p. Maybe my rating is a bit too conservative.
Rabaud Promis offered a refined nose with great flavors like grapefruit and orange peel, excellent balance, length, and honeyed finish. A stupendous effort from this property. 93p.
De Malle produced a well-crafted wine nose, offering various flavors like pineapple, acacia honey, and pear. Elegant on the palate, fine acidity and balance, with a smooth aftertaste. Lighter than usual. 91-92p.
D'Arche, Caillou, Filhot, and Lamothe Guignard showed splendid intensity, pear, sweet oranges, sweetness and corresponding acidity, and a smooth finish. 91p.
Broustet and Romer performed almost as fine as Caillou & Co, just slightly less intense and less concentrated. 90p.
Lamothe and Suau showed as tastefully and impressive Broustet and Romer. 89p.
OK wine: Bastor Lamontagne. 87p.
PÉSSAC-LÉOGNAN
Red wines:
Haut Brion was more tannic and stronger than La Mission Haut Brion. Exceptional wine. 96-97p.
La Mission Haut Brion - more ripe fruit here than I remember from 2008, more concentrated, very long, rich, great complexity, and fabulous balance. The nose reminds me of an incredibly aromatic 2004 vintage. Excellent stuff. 95-96p.
Pape Clement had a deliciously intense fruity nose with cherries, strong structure, and excellent depth and length. Persistent and firm finish. 93-94p.
Larrivet Haut Brion followed in the track of Pape Clement with slightly less intensity. 93p.
Latour Martillac and Seguin offered a splendid nose of ripe cherries, depth, and intensity. Silky on the palate with splendid structure, fine length, and smooth aftertaste. A fine effort for both wines. 92-93p.
La Louviere also had a very intense nose of cherries and blackcurrants and fine concentration on the palate. This, combined with fine structure, backbone, and persistent finish, makes this wine very impressive. 92+p
Haut Bailly was a rich wine with excellent black fruit intensity, complexity, depth, and length. Fine future expected. 91-93p.
Les Carmes Haut Brion, Domaine de Chevalier, Fieuzal, and Smith Haut Lafitte had an intense nose with oak and black fruit, splendid depth and length, strong structure, meaty texture, and smooth texture aftertaste. 92p.
Carbonnieux, de France, and Picque Caillou offered a fine nose of ripe cherries, splendid depth, and intensity. Silky on the palate with very good structure, fine length, and smooth aftertaste. 91-92p.
Chantegrive, Ferrande, Haut Bergey, and Rahoul were close in quality and style to the trio mentioned above of wines. 91p.
La Chapelle de La Mission Haut Brion and Le Clarence de Haut Brion offered seductive touch, aromatic and fresh nose, and silky palate with splendid length and balance. Firm aftertaste. 90p.
Malartic Lagraviere had a catchy, flavourful nose of black and red berries, a meaty texture, a very appealing minerality, and a nice concentration. 89p.
Bouscaut, Lespault Martillac, and Olivier were elegant, fruity wines with roundness and a smooth aftertaste. 88p.
Dry white wines:
Haut Brion had more intensity and richness than La Mission Haut Brion. Breathtaking effort. 97-98p.
La Mission Haut Brion was intense, pure, and refined on the nose, full of apple, pear, and lemongrass, with penetrating aromas, freshness, great acidity, balance, depth, and length. Smooth and caressing aftertaste. A stunning effort for the vintage. 96-97p.
Domaine de Chevalier acted powerfully, with a strong aroma of acacia flowers, apples, and citron grass aromas. Great structure, depth, and length on the palate, rich balance, and strong finish. As always, utterly impressive stuff from this property! 96+p.
Smith Haut Lafitte was similar to Domaine de Chevalier in style but less rich and sophisticated. Nevertheless, this wine is impeccably made and displays beautiful acidity, balance, and a long finish. 95p.
Latour Martillac was oaky with a lot of acidity. Great intensity of apples and citron grass, freshness, great length on the palate, and long finish. Terrific wine. 94p.
Pape Clement followed in Latour Martillac's tracks with equally impressive wine. 93-94p. Picque Caillou continued to improve vintage by vintage and was a big surprise with similarly riveting wine. 93-94p.
Fieuzal and Larrivet Haut Brion were elegant and refined on the nose and palate with many finesses. Splendid acidity, great aromas of pineapple, apple, and acacia flower, stylish and classy. 93p.
Carbonnieux, Chantegrive, and Olivier were impressive wines with plenty of freshness and aromas of apple and acacia, splendid acidity, fine structure, and delicate balance 92-93p.
Haut Bergey and La Louviere displayed intense acacia flower and apple, great acidity, and splendid concentration. Long finish. Stylish wines with finesse and elegance. 92p.
de France, La Clarte de Haut Brion, and Rahoul offered fine acidity, intensity, and structure. Nicely put together and with fine balance. Apple, pineapple, and pear. Lovely efforts. 91p.
Lespault Martillac brought fresh, aromatic, well-knitted wine with fine acidity and a firm finish. 89-90p. Malartic Lagraviere was as well made but slightly less intense.
Domaine de La Solitude, Ferrande, and L'Esprit de Chevalier displayed fresh, aromatic apple, grapefruit, and lemon peel aromas and an attractive, round, smooth approach. Tasty and very enjoyable. 88p.
MÉDOC
Greysac showed a fine intensity of spicy black fruit with fresh flavors, silky tannins, fine depth, length, balance, and firm finish. Splendid wine for the vintage. 89p.
La Tour de By had the same qualities as Greysac but with less concentration and depth. 88p.
HAUT-MÉDOC
La Lagune had a splendid nose of black cherries, intense, strong structure and backbone, excellent acidity, and a long finish. 92-93p. Terrific effort from this ever-consistent property.
Malescasse displayed a splendid aroma of crushed berries on the nose and palate and was robust and complex with impressive length and long finish. A splendid effort from this property. 91p.
Beaumont, Cantemerle, Coufran, and de Lamarque were as impressive as Malescasse with the same intensity and complexity, but they had more silkiness of fruit. 91p.
Lamothe Cissac Vieilles Vignes had catchy and seductive aromas of black cherry fruit, grated chocolate, silky fruit, and silky tannin, fine balance, and a fine fruity finish. Great qpr for money. 90-91p.
Belgrave, Camensac, Citran, and La Tour Carnet were all four fruity on the nose, aromatic, sappy on the palate, harmonious, fleshy, with very nice acidity and nice length. Well-made wines. 90p.
Lamothe Cissac was slightly less intense and concentrated than Vieille Vignes cuvée. Captivating wine as well. 90p.
Bernadotte: OK wine. 87p.
LISTRAC
Fourcas Hosten had a fine blueberry nose with lovely intensity. Sappy and fruity on the palate, with fine structure. Persistent fruity finish. 89p.
Fourcas Dupre tasted in the same style as Fourcas Hosten but displayed less concentration. 88p.
Clarke and Fonreaud - OK wines. 87p.
MOULIS
Maucaillou had a lovely nose of cherries and blueberries, velvety tannin on the palate, a very nice balance, and a smooth finish. 88-89p.
Chasse-Spleen and Poujeaux were less intense and slightly drier on the aftertaste than Maucaillou. 88p.
MARGAUX
To a very high degree, Margaux had elegance, finesse, refinement, velvety black cherry fruit and fat tannin, and a long caressing finish. Once again an essence of class and style. 95-96p.
Palmer was aristocratic, powerful though refined with fabulous balance and a fabulous finish. Stunning effort. 95p.
Kirwan had chocolate, mocha, dark cherries, and seductive on the nose. Potent on the nose, elegant with spicy black fruit, robust and sappy. Superb long finish. 93p.
Cantenac Brown, Dauzac, and Giscours showed cocoa mixed with black cherries, were subtle and elegant, fresh, sweet fat tannins and sweet fruit, full-bodied, excellent structure, depth, and long finish. Very successful for the vintage and well-deserved 92-93p.
Malescot Saint-Exupery, Marquis d'Alesme, and Rauzan Segla offered much oak, fat tannin, and the splendidly scented nose of black cherries and blueberries. Still, the balance wasn't harmed, with fine complexity and long, firm aftertaste. 92-93p.
Brane Cantenac, Ferriere, Labegorce, Lascombes, and Monbrison were tight and intense wines with dense structure, fine concentration of dark fruit, fat tannin, and harmonious and firm finish. A superb quintet of wines. 92p.
Pavillon Rouge de Margaux was made from a rigorous selection of grapes, which resulted in 40% less quantity than in 2010! Velvety texture with silky fruit and tannin. Finesse and long smooth aftertaste. 91-92p.
Desmirail, Marquis de Terme, Prieure Lichine, Siran, and du Tertre were subtle and intense with dense structure, fine concentration of dark fruit, and fat tannin, with fine balance and persistent fruity finish. 91p.
Alter Ego and Rauzan Gassies displayed some power, reasonable quantities of fat ripe tannin, and long aftertaste. 90-91p.
Bellevue de Tayac had a delicate nose of red fruit and blackberries, fine structure, and delicate complexity. Caressing and long finish. 90p.
D'Angludet was a lovely wine with a pleasant aromatic nose, elegant and harmonious palate, and lingering aftertaste. 89p.
SAINT-JULIEN
Leoville Barton had excellent black fruit intensity on the nose, deep, powerful, and full-bodied on the palate, and excellent backbone, length, and aftertaste. 94-95p. Tremendous effort.
Beychevelle, Leoville Poyferre, and Talbot offered aromatic fruit (black cherries), which were intense and powerful on the palate, with fine structure, balance, and finish. 93p.
Gruaud Larose was captivating on the nose, long on the palate with plenty of aromatic blackberries, well-structured, harmonious, and firm finish. 92p.
Gloria was impressed with the silky fruit and tannin, delicate balance, length, and smooth aftertaste. Seductive wine. 91-92p
Lagrange, Langoa Barton, and Saint-Pierre were intense on the nose with blackberries, a good grip on the palate, a splendid fruit, and a persistent aftertaste. Very well-made wines. 91p.
Branaire Ducru tasted lighter than usual but was complemented with silky fruit and tannin, delicate balance, and a smooth finish. 90p.
PAUILLAC
Latour was powerful and tight but, at the same time, refined and sophisticated. Stunning depth, complexity, richness, and balance. As always, this is incredible stuff from this property. 96-97p.
Mouton Rothschild displayed sublime touch, elegance, finesse, silky cherry fruit, and silky tannin combined with a very impressive structure and finish. Low yield in 2011 - only 30 hl/ha. 95-96p.
Lafite was a strong, chewy, and robust wine with great structure but had walls of tannin. Tannin and fruit weren't perfectly integrated yet. It needs a lot of time to develop a rounder texture. 95+p.
Pontet Canet produced an elegant wine in 2011. Not quite in the league of 2010, 2009, and 2005 vintages, but you can't take away finesse, refined touch, and silkiness from this catchy wine. 94p.
Pichon Baron showed power, plenty of black cherries and strong tannin, excellent length, and structure. 92+p. Pichon Comtesse was made in another style with a more fruity approach and silkiness. 92+p.
Batailley, Grand Puy Lacoste, and Lynch Bages were seductively aromatic, full-bodied, and had a strong backbone. Persistent aftertaste. A lot of style and terroir here. 92p.
Croizet Bages surprised big time in this challenging vintage with fine intensity and concentration of dark fruit, fat tannin, tight structure, delicate balance, and firm finish. 91-92p.
Clerc Milon, Grand Puy Ducasse, and Les Forts de Latour had the fine qualities tasted in Croizet Bages. 91p.
Duhart Milon displayed a lot of fruit hidden behind walls of tannin. It needs time to soften. 90-91p.
Pibran offered a flowery nose, meaty palate, and fine intensity of blackcurrants and cherries. Lovely fruity finish. 90p.
d'Armailhac had a very fruity nose of black cherries, fine intensity, bite and balance, and a smooth finish. 89-90p. Carruaders de Lafite was in a different corner of style with plenty of oak and tannin. 89-90p.
Haut Bages Liberal had oaky undertones, intense fruit, a nice backbone and structure, and a persistent finish. 89p.
Le Petit Mouton offered a fine aroma of black fruit, freshness, good acidity, fine balance, and smooth aftertaste. 88-89p.
Les Tourelles de Longueville resembled a lot of Le Petit Mouton. 88p.
Pauillac de Latour offered good concentration, grip, balance, and smooth aftertaste. Good for 3rd wine. 88p.
Reserve de La Comtesse was a nice wine with the seductive aroma of crushed black fruit, fine balance and length, and a smooth aftertaste. 87-88p.
Lynch Moussas - OK wine. 87p.
SAINT-ÉSTEPHE
Calon Segur displayed excellent soil characteristics, power, minerality, copious amount of ripe fruit and tannin, great depth and complexity, and excellent length on the palate. Classic stuff and a classy one, without all the modern gimmicks. Long life waits ahead. 93p.
Lafon Rochet offered intense spicy fruit, power, excellent structure and backbone, delicate balance, and a firm long finish. Great effort for the vintage. 92-93p.
Les Ormes de Pez was surprised to be almost as impressive as Lafon Rochet. Copious amount of black cherries and velvety texture. 92+p.
Cos Labory followed the same track as Les Ormes de Pez with a more tannic approach and firm finish. Terrific stuff. 92p.
Montrose wasn't a blockbuster wine in 2011. Elegant with finesse, silky fruit, tannin, fine length, and smooth aftertaste. Lighter than usual. 91-92p. Phelan Segur was fresh with aromatic and spicy fruit, splendid structure, complex and long finish. 91-92p.
de Pez offered fine acidity, a large portion of black cherries and fat tannin, fine structure, and persistent aftertaste. 91p.
Capbern Gasqueton resembled, in many ways, its brother property, Calon Segur. Same style of winemaking, but less concentration and length here. Well-made wine. 90p.
La Dame de Montrose was elegant, sappy, round, and supple. 88p.
Tronquoy Lalande displayed fine flavors of cherry fruit, silky texture, lovely intensity and concentration, and a lovely finish. 88-89p.
Haut Beausejour - OK wine. 87p.
SAINT-ÉMILION
Tertre Roteboeuf - do I need to state that the 2011 wine here is simply sensational and sensual, close to the 2010 version? Black cherries in Valrhona chocolate all over the place, cocoa flavor.Incredible depth, length, and finish. Mid-palate is sensationally intense. Tremendous effort and yet another bull's eye from the magician winemaker, Francois Mitjavile. 97p.
Ausone and Cheval Blanc were silky with excellent intensity and complexity, fabulous structure and depth, and a lot of richness, finesse, and sophisticated touch. Great persistent and caressing finish. 96p.
Pavie and Valandraud offered a highly complex nose of black cherries with great intensity, length, depth, and structure on the palate. Vibrant and complex wines. 95-96p.
Bellevue Mondotte was a potent, strong, tight wine with richly scented fruit and a deep and stunning finish. Great stuff. 95p.
Beausejour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) made a great impression on me, surpassing the 2009 version tasted side by side! Strong, robust, and powerful, with a lot of ripe black fruit, excellent intensity, and depth on the nose, very long aftertaste, pure and hedonistic. A great success of the vintage. 94-95p.
Pavie Decesse was strong, fleshy, and very concentrated, with a lot of black fruit and fat tannin, perfectly balanced and with a long and persistent aftertaste. 94-95p.
La Confession offered very ripe and fresh black cherries, great intensity, fat ripe tannin, superb structure, and a strong meaty finish. Excellent stuff. 94p.
La Mondotte had a splendid nose of wild cherries and great intensity. Very concentrated, strong structure, ripe tannins, long aftertaste. 93-94p.
Barde Haut and Belair Monange displayed strong backbone and intensity, with many blueberries and cherries, powerful tannin, full-bodied on the palate, and a very long aftertaste. 93p.
Soutard did exceptionally well with the splendid aroma of black cherries on the nose and palate, acidity, structure and complexity, and long fruity finish. Terrific stuff. 93p.
Troplong Mondot was very concentrated and tannic, full-bodied, sweet fruit and tannin, superbly balanced and with great length. 93p.
Angelus acted tannic, oaky, extracted, and balanced with a strong finish. 92-93p. Canon offered elegance, silky fruit and tannin, fine structure, backbone, and smooth aftertaste. 92-93p. Pavie Macquin tasted strong; the fruit was ripe á point. It was somewhat extracted – modern style. 92-93p.
Corbin was elegant, distinct, and classy on the nose and palate, round and ripe tannin with seductive black fruit. Very complex and splendidly balanced. Excellent effort for the vintage 92+p.
Clos Fourtet, Dassault, Magdelaine, and Monbousquet were intense on the nose with plenty of black fruit, strong backbone, splendid length on the palate, and smooth finish. 92p.
Boutisse, Canon La Gaffeliere, Grand Mayne, and La Dominique offered a fine nose of cherries, seductive style, splendid balance, elegance, and smooth caressing aftertaste. 91-92p. Larcis Ducasse had a more tannic and extracted style. 91-92p.
Corbin Michotte, Figeac, Le Petit Cheval, and Virginie de Valandraud had fine fruit, elegant nose, silky tannin, fleshy palate, balance, and smooth fruity finish. 91p.
Clos Badon Thunevin, Fleur Cardinale, La Gaffeliere, Quintus, and Trottevieille showed sweet fruit, strong and fat tannin, some oak, fine balance, and a firm finish. 90-91p.
Balestard La Tonnelle, Bellevue, La Chapelle d'Ausone, Larmande, Laroze, and Moulin St.Georges displayed fine nose of cherries, seductive style, superb balance, elegance, and smooth caressing aftertaste. 90p.
Clos de L'Oratoire, Clos de Baies, Cap de Mourlin, de Fonbel, and Trimoulet were round and silky, elegant, with delicate ripe fruit, superb balance, perfect length, and caressing aftertaste. 88-89p.
Saintayme (Ammelise), Berliquet, La Serre, and La Tour du Pin had expressive aromas of black and red berries, fresh and seductive, fleshy and soft fruit on the palate, fine balance and length. Well-deserved. 89p.
Bel-Air Ouý, Clos Romanile, Haut Simard, La Couspaude, Lusseau, Puy Blanquet, Quinault L'Enclos, and 3 de Valandraud had all fresh aroma of crushed blackcurrants and blueberries, discrete tannin, attractive fruit, and fruity finish. 88p.
Le Carrilon d'Angelus, Franc Mayne, Sansonnet and Simard - OK wines. 87p. Domaine des Gourdins and Le Dragon de Quintus - OK wines. 86p.
POMEROL
Lafleur was the best wine of Pomerol for me. I tasted it twice under different weather pressure. The same impression. Jacques Guinaudeau made a fantastic 2011, close to 2010, Extremely dense and tight, full of black cherries, very sophisticated and refined, with an exceptional balance between fatty, ripe tannins and perfectly ripe fruit, with a stunning aftertaste that goes on and on. 97p.
L'Eglise Clinet was a distinct, classy, stylish, and rich wine with various nuances and excellent length/aftertaste. Full-blown ripeness of fruit and tannin and beautiful balance. Wow, stuff from Denis Durantou! 96p.
Petrus had fresh acidity, fine berry fruit, discrete oak, and excellent balance. Lighter than usual but with excellent richness and finesse. 95p. Le Pin was kinky and silky, long on the palate, cherries + cocoa, lighter than usual. 95p. Trotanoy had fatness and concentration, a strong backbone, great length, and finish. Great future here. 95p.
Clinet also displayed a lot of fruit, oak, fatty tannin, and a firm finish. It needs time to become softer. 94-95p. VCC was sophisticated, silky fruit and tannin, refined, elegant, and attractive. 94-95p.
La Conseillante had very aromatic fruit on the nose, silkiness on the palate, and great complexity and structure. Long fruity finish. 94p. La Violette was made slightly more modern than La Conseillante and had a clear oak stamp, but the balance was fine. 94p.
Bourgneuf was tasted on three different occasions (two times with label, one time blind) and gave an impression of an extremely well-made wine - a very, very captivating aroma of crushed black cherries mixed with cocoa and grated chocolate, strong and refined on the palate, great length, and formidable finish. Close in quality to riveting 2009 and 2010 and a real surprise. 93-94p.
La Croix St. Georges, Le Gay, and Hosanna were all three muscular, chewy, and powerful wines with a substantial amount of black cherries and chocolate, covered by oak, very much in the balance. 93-94p.
La Fleur Petrus displayed a potent and strong attitude, a lot of black fruit and fat tannin, and great depth, length, and balance. 93p.
Clos L'Eglise displayed elegance and richness, aromatic blackberries, excellent balance, and an intense finish. 92-93p.
Bon Pasteur was robust with evident extraction, much ripe fruit, and fat tannin. Well, in balance. Modern-styled wine. 92p. Clos de Beau-Pere and Latour-á-Pomerol were meaty and fleshy with a fine concentration of black cherries, fine structure, complexity, and firm aftertaste. 92p. Sacré Coeur was robust and juicy with black cherry fruit, superb balance, impressive length, and finish. 92p.
Certan de May reminded me of Sacré Coeur with the firmer finish. 91-92p.
La Cabanne and Gazin were elegant and soft, with a fine cherry aroma, balance, and fruity finish. 91p. Pensées de Lafleur and La Providence had the same fruit and fat tannin intensity but were oakier. 91p.
La Petite Eglise displayed aromatic black cherries, velvety fruit and tannin, splendid balance, and a lingering finish. Seductive wine. 90-91p.
Beauregard and Lafleur Gazin were intense on the nose, tight, aromatic, dark berries, nice velvety finish, and oak very well integrated with the fruit. 90p. Cantelauze and La Fleur de Gay followed with the same quality but had more oak. Well made, all four wines. 90p.
Petit Village did very well with black cherries on the nose, elegant with finesse and a long finish. 89-90p.
La Croix de Gay and Haut Maillet performed well with cherry aromas, a fine structure, and a persistent velvety finish. 89p.
La Clemence and Taillefer did almost the same fine job as La Croix de Gay and Haut Maillet. Catchy wines. 88-89p.
La Grave á Pomerol, Manoir de Gay, and Montviel appeared gentle, soft, round, well-balanced, and seductive. 88p. Plince, Plincette, and La Pointe followed the same track. 88p.
Beau Soleil, Bellegrave, Bonalgue, Fayat, Feytit Clinet and Lécuyer - OK wines. 87p.
BORDEAUX/BORDEAUX SUPERIEUR
Le Conseiller, La Croix Mouton, and 20 Mille from Jean-Philippe Janouiex (La Confession) showed very well with a fresh cherry scent on the nose and palate, ripe black fruit, strong backbone, and fat tannin. Meaty wines with gentle but present extraction. Well-made. 89p.
G de Guinaudeau Acte 3 displayed fine ripe black cherries, fine minerality, strong structure, and a long finish. 89p.
From the owner of Lafleur, Grand Village offered a fine aroma of violets and was sappy, with fine structure and balance. Fruity finish. 88-89p.
Bad Boy Thunevin and Val de Roc were round with soft texture, ripe and tasty fruit, and charm. 88p.
Pavillon Blanc de Margaux was utterly impressive. Very intense flavors of apples, excellent acidity, minerality, freshness, precise fruit, and long, long finish. 94+p.
Monbousquet white displayed excellent acidity, freshness, intense aromas of lemongrass and acacia, excellent balance, and a fat fruity finish. Terrific wine. 92-93p.
Valandraud white reminded me a lot of Monbousquet white but was slightly less concentrated. at 92p.
Aile d'Argent white wine from Mouton Rothschild offered elegance, finesse, acacia flower, and smooth texture. 20% malolactic fermentation here, so this wine has a touch of sweetness. 91p.
Virginie de Valandraud white had a freshness and fine acidity, delicate acacia fruit, and a fruity finish. 90p.
Grand Village white impressed with a very aromatic nose of apples and pear, a caressing aftertaste, and a seductive approach. 89p.
Domaine de Cambes, de Reignac, and Domaine Virginie Thunevin were friendly and faultless wines with lovely fruit, round and soft. 87p. Lune d'Argent white offered a nice acacia flavor on the nose and palate and was round. 87p. Tour de Mirambeau cuvée Passion was like Domaine de Cambes & Co. 86-87p.
Beaulieu Comtes de Tastes, Girolate, Penin and Thieuley - OK wines. 86p.
BOURG CÔTES DE BORDEAUX
Roc de Cambes displayed lots and lots of black fruit, fat and ripe tannin, and wonderful structure, depth, and length. What a fruit bomb! Stunning wine. 93p.
CASTILLON CÔTES DE BORDEAUX
Ampelia, Joanin Becot, and Veyry displayed a very catchy cherry aroma on the nose, splendid structure, balance, and smooth aftertaste. Very seductive wines. 91p.
Montlandrie displayed black fruit with undertones of white truffles, fine balance, backbone, and length. Soft texture. A fine effort for the vintage. 89-90p.
Alcée and de Laussac cuvée Sacha were strong with fat tannin, nicely built, and firm finish. A fine effort from both. 88-89p.
Clos des Lunelles was tight with spicy and ripe fruit and had nice concentration and length. 88p. D'Aiguilhe and Domaine de L'Aurage were quite aromatic (blackberries), fresh, and sappy, with a very nice structure and smooth fruity finish. 88p.
FRANCS CÔTES DE BORDEAUX
La Prade had more of everything than Puygueraud. 88p.
de Francs and Puygueraud displayed spicy fruit with undertones of earth. Nice ripeness of fruit and balance. 87p.
Les Charmes Godard's white was fresh with fine acidity and pleasing aromas of apple and pear. Fine length and caressing aftertaste. 91p.
FRONSAC/CANON-FRONSAC
Barrabaque and de La Dauphine were superbly made wines, powerful with an intensely aromatic nose, meaty palate, fat ripe tannin, delicate balance, and long finish. Well-deserved 91p.
Aria de La Riviere, Fontenil, Moulin Haut Laroque, and Moulin Pey Labrie followed in the tracks of Barrabaque and de La Dauphine with slightly less intensity and length. Splendid wines, all four. 90-91p.
CarlMagnus and Haut Carles displayed some oak aroma, black cherry fruit, and fat ripe tannin. Fine structure, meaty texture, and firm, persistent finish. 90p.
de La Riviere and Les Troix Croix were softer, less oaky, and more round than de CarlMagnus and Haut Carles. Seductive wines. 89-90p.
Dalem reminded me a lot of de La Riviere and Les Troix Croix with less concentration and length. 89p.
La Vieille Cure displayed a silky texture, catchy ripe berry fruit, nice balance, and smooth fruity finish. 88-89p.
Chadenne and Villars were quite aromatic (blackberries), fresh, and sappy, with a nice structure and smooth fruity finish. 88p.
LALANDE-DE-POMEROL
La Chenade and Les Cruzelles displayed intense noses of violets and splendidly concentrated black cherries on the palate. Great fruity aftertaste. Terrific wines. 91p.
Domaine des Sabines showed intense fruit with earthy and spicy notes, a strong backbone, and a fine firm finish. An excellent effort. 89p. La Graviere had a seductive and aromatic nose of black cherries, sweet and velvety fruit on the palate, and a delicate balance. Catchy wine. 89p. Les Plus de la Fleur de Bouard followed in the tracks of La Graviere, but here you had more extracted flavors. 89p.
Fleur de Bouard was a lighter version of Les Plus de la Fleur de Bouard. 88p.
Grand Ormeau, Perron La Fleur, Sergent, and Tournefeuille were all pleasant fruity wines with a nice balance. 87p.
Domaine de Gachet: OK wine. 86-87p.
2011 VINTAGE REVISITED - 5TH SEPTEMBER 2012 IN COPENHAGEN
My general impression was that 2011 is a good to very good vintage, better for sure than 2008, developing well and not showing austerity and edgy corners. Several wines benefitted from further staying in oak. Overall, it's a beneficial vintage and can be a great value for money when it hits the shelves at the end of 2013 with prices not higher than primeur ones.
Here are my TNs:
D'Aiguilhe 2011 – powerful, tasty black cherries, fine fruit, and structure, meaty and delicate length. Fine effort. 90p.
D'Armailhac 2011 – better ripeness here than in 2008, and tannins are softer, refined finish. 91p.
Beauregard 2011 - was intense on the nose, tight, aromatic, dark berries, a nice velvety finish, and oak very well integrated with the fruit. 90p.
Beychevelle 2011 - as impressive as during primeur week and maybe even better. Pretty aromatic and subtle wine, full-bodied. Splendid aftertaste with a lot of flavors. Graceful and stylish. Stupendous wine. 93+p.
Branaire 2011 – improved since tasting it five months ago. More concentrated with silky fruit and tannin, fine balance and smooth finish. 90p.
Camensac 2011 - aromatic ripe dark berries on the nose, seductive and charming, silky tannin, well-balanced. Fine aftertaste. 90p.
Canon-La-Gaffeliere 2011 - offered a delicate nose of cherries, fat ripe tannin, splendid depth and persistent aftertaste. Impressive effort. 93p.
Chasse-Spleen 2011 - offered an excellent nose of black fruit with depth and intensity. Silky tannin, finesse, intense on the palate, and persistent fruity aftertaste. Splendid effort. 92p.
La Clemence 2011 - strong, tannic wine with a robust structure, fine depth, and firm finish. On the verge of over-extraction. 89p.
Clerc Milon 2011 - showed big concentration and firm structure, tight and intense on the palate, superb balance, and a long finish. Superb wine. 92p.
Clos L'Oratoire 2011 - offered a delicate nose of cherries, seductive style, superb balance, elegance, and smooth caressing aftertaste. 91-92p.
Coutet 2011 impressed greatly with great depth, sweetness, corresponding acidity, stunning balance, and long, lingering aftertaste. Simply great effort. 94+p.
Coutet 1997– Great stuff. Still fresh with intense botrytised aromas of crème brulée and heather honey, fine acidity, and a strong honeyed finish. Fifteen years old wine at its peak. 93p.
Destieux 2011 - solid and sappy wine, ripe and tasty blackberries, delicate balance, and long finish. Well-made wine. 91p.
Domaine de Chevalier red 2011 – tasted better than during primeur. Very aromatic with great minerality, splendid depth, length, strong structure, meaty texture, and smooth aftertaste. 93p.
Domaine de Chevalier white 2011 - performed powerfully, lots of acacia flower, apple, and citron grass. Great structure, depth, and length on the palate, rich balance, and intense finish. As always, utterly impressive stuff from this property! 96+p.
Ferriere 2011 - was a tight and intense wine with a dense structure, fine concentration of dark fruit, fat tannin, and harmonious and firm finish. 92p.
Gazin 2011- elegant, soft, delicate cherry aroma, fine balance, and fruity finish. 91p.
Giscours 2011 – this barrel sample was even better than April this year. Powerful and intense with plenty of black cherries and cocoa, strong fat tannin, very well constructed, complex, and long finish. Stunning wine. 94p.
Haut Bages Liberal 2011 - had oaky undertones, quite intense fruit, nice backbone and structure, and persistent finish. 89p.
Haut Bailly 2011 - was a rich and powerful wine with a strong aroma of black cherries, great complexity, depth, and length. Excellent future predicted. 93+p.
Lagrange 2011 – was intense on the nose with blackberries, with a good grip on the palate with tasty fruit and a firm aftertaste. Well-made wine. 90p.
Larrivet Haut Brion red 2011 - had a deliciously intense fruity nose with cherries, solid backbone, splendid depth, and length. Persistent and firm finish. 92p.
Larrivet Haut Brion white 2011 - was elegant and refined on the nose and palate with plenty of finesse. Splendid acidity, great aromas of pineapple, apple, and acacia flower, stylish and classy. 93p.
Lascombes 2011 - showed great style and finesse. Very aromatic with blackberries, excellent balance, and complexity. Long caressing finish. True Margaux style. 93p.
Latour Martillac red 2011 - offered a splendid nose of ripe cherries, superb depth, and intensity. Silky on the palate with remarkable structure, fine length, and smooth aftertaste. Indeed, a fine effort. 92p.
Latour Martillac white 2011 - was oaky with a lot of acidity. Great intensity of apple and citron grass, freshness, great length on the palate, and long finish. Terrific wine. 93-94p.
Leoville Poyferre 2011 - very complex and lengthy on the nose and palate. Aromatic black fruit, well-balanced, excellent structure, and long firm aftertaste. Excellent for the vintage. 94p.
Phelan Segur 2011 showed freshness with aromatic and spicy fruit, splendid structure, silky tannin, and a long finish. 91p.
Smith Haut Lafitte red 2011 – strong, meaty, very intense aroma of black cherries, complex, lovely concentration and grip. Firm finish. Splendid. 93p.
Talbot 2011 - offered aromatic fruit (black cherries), which were intense and powerful on the palate, with fine structure, balance, and finish. 92+p.
Du Tertre 2011 - improved significantly since primeur tasting in April, powerful, rich, elegant, and long on the palate, with excellent structure. Lovely effort. 93p.