Varietal: Syrah | Location: France - Languedoc-Roussillon - Coteaux du Languedoc
WA 94-95
Our friend, Bordeaux negociant Jeff Davies, introduced us to this wine several years ago, and it seems to be getting better and better. We tried this Syrah in September 2011 and couldn't believe how concentrated and incredibly intense it was. Forget the appellation and prepare yourself for an amazing treat! Here's what Robert Parker posted about this wine several months ago...
"While I was in Bordeaux, I tasted the new releases from Négly, the micro-estate in the Languedoc owned by Bordeaux wine broker Jeffrey Davies... the wine is made by Claude Gros, an increasingly influential consultant... I have been purchasing these wines since the debut vintages in the late 90s... it is not a leap of faith to say that they are probably among the finest 4-6 red wines made in the Languedoc... have been itching to taste the 2007s (a great vintage in the southern Rhone and the Languedoc)... and they are finally arriving... expensive they are, but in the pantheon of great wines, the prices are very reasonable... both the Porte de Ciel and Clos des Truffiers are 100% Syrah... I actually thought the Porte de Ciel was close to pure perfection... more developed and less broodingly backward compared to the Clos des Truffiers, the blackberry, lavender, bacon fat, and subtle smoky nuances are intense and enthralling. Both wines are very full-bodied, ...but the primary difference is the Clos des Truffiers needs 4-5 years of cellaring.. the Porte de Ciel will evolve for 20+ years, but it is so gorgeous to drink already... anyhow... I always say as I get older, I like them younger and younger... so many of you may prefer to wait on both of them... they are thrilling wines... real reference points for what the Languedoc is capable of achieving... the 1997s, which I own, are still very young wines..."
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Margaux
We visited this chateau for the second time in the last few years and the quality keeps getting better and better. This 2010 is medium-bodied with flavors of black cherry and plums. An elegant red with a firm backbone, Deyrem Valentin produces a typical Margaux with nice finesse in the finish. A great value in this price range.
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Sauternes
WA 100
"Denis Dubourdieu considers this vintage to be the finest produced by him, his father and his grandfather! He is a great proponent of the preservation of fine fresh botrytis fruit flavour and usually eschews any excess sweetness that he considers may smother it.
This year, however, he has found a much sweeter balance, at 155 g/l residual, but this in no way compromises the freshness of the spring flower aromas and white peach fruitiness (there is little of the usual dried apricots this year) and it is all balanced by a quite high acidity (4.5 g/l). The result is an unusually sweet but very complete and complex wine that will certainly age for ever.
Denis has also managed to produce 7 barrels of 'Extravagant', a 50-50 Sauvignon - Semillon blend this year, with 12? of alcohol and 320 g/l residual. It is a very fat style of wine, more on its power than the slightly more fruit-driven '07." --Bill Blatch, bordeauxgold.com
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc
The home of Château Chasse Spleen and numerous other excellent Châteaux sharing the name "Poujeaux," the commune of Moulis has some of the finest, deep gravel ridges in Bordeaux, outside of the famed Margaux commune. In contrast to its very supple 2008, Dutruch Grand Poujeaux has produced a startlingly powerful 2009, with deep, smoky flavors of baked cherry confit, cassis, Provençal herbs. A concentrated, impressive wine that will clearly reward 5 to 7 years of cellaring. -- Ben Giliberti
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Fronsac
WS 91
WA 91
The basic Fontenil (95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) has a deep bluish purple color and relatively hefty alcohol at 14.5%, but it is not noticeable in this full-bodied, layered, opulent wine, with lots of black raspberry fruit intermixed with some blueberries and crushed rock. Both of these wines have a good 10-15 years of potential in a fine cellar. Two of the best wines from Dany and Michel Rolland are these vintages of Fontenil in Fronsac.
Varietal: Rhone Blend | Location: France - Rhone Valley - Costières de Nîmes
Hailed by Robert Parker as “one of the 20 most influential wine personalities of the past 20 years,” Robert “Bobby” Kacher is as passionate about seeking out great and often undiscovered wines today as when he began his eponymous import business more than two decades ago. Constantly challenging his growers and winemakers to produce more authentic and naturally complex wines, Bobby continues to bring higher quality and value to his extensive portfolio every year. The vivid pink 2012 Château Grande Cassagne Rosé, made on the western edge of the Rhône Valley by brother team Benoît and Laurent Dardé, is a special USA-only cuvee produced exclusively for Robert Kacher Selections. Made from 45% Grenache, 45% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre, this rosé offers plush flavors of strawberry, fresh herbs, dark plum, and white pepper, with a hint of minerally tang on a fully dry finish. -- Ben Giliberti
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Graves
Supple and smooth, this is a distinctly pretty Graves rouge, with ripe Cabernet and Merlot fruit gracefully layered over soft tannins. The voluptuous style of the 2009 vintage really plays to its strengths, and combines nicely with the château's excellent Graves terroir. The owner is Michel Boyer, whose daughter Catherine d'Halluin also makes outstanding wine at Château Clos Bourbon in the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux.
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Pessac-Léognan
WA 90
Another sleeper of the vintage, the relatively evolved, elegant, complex 2008 Haut-Bergey offers up notes of smoked tobacco, cassis, cherries, licorice, Asian plum sauce and spice box. With abundant fruit, an opulent texture and an elegant style, this pretty, medium-bodied, richly fruity wine should drink well for 12-14 years.Another sleeper of the vintage, the relatively evolved, elegant, complex 2008 Haut-Bergey offers up notes of smoked tobacco, cassis, cherries, licorice, Asian plum sauce and spice box. With abundant fruit, an opulent texture and an elegant style, this pretty, medium-bodied, richly fruity wine should drink well for 12-14 years. -- Robert Parker
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Lalande-de-Pomerol
WA 90
A major sleeper of the vintage, this outstanding wine from the Aubert family in St.-Emilion has terrific plum, black cherry and cassis fruit as well as hints of earth and flowers. Supple-textured, opulent and savory, it is a heady, fleshy wine to drink over the next 3-5 years.
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Pomerol
WS 88
WA 90
ST 90
Lovely aromas of toasted oak, coffee and berry, with hints of raspberries. Full- to medium-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, luscious aftertaste. Slightly hollow center palate. Very fresh. Score range: 89-91