Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Emilion
WA 89
Fruity, soft and fully mature, the 2008 Barde-Haut offers up notes of licorice, roasted herbs, cedar and spice. Medium-bodied with an evolved, endearing character, it should be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years.Fruity, soft and fully mature, the 2008 Barde-Haut offers up notes of licorice, roasted herbs, cedar and spice. Medium-bodied with an evolved, endearing character, it should be enjoyed over the next 5-6 years. -- Robert Parker Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Emilion
WA 91
This is one of the finest wines I have tasted from this highly regarded terroir that has rarely been exploited to its maximum potential. Loads of chalk dust intertwined with sweet kirsch, black currants, licorice and camphor jump from the glass of this full-bodied wine, which has terrific fruit intensity, lots of glycerin, a lavish richness and a long, heady finish with light to moderate tannin. Give it 1-2 more years of bottle and drink it over the following 15.
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux
This is one of our first arrivals from the highly regarded 2010 vintage, and if the delectable style of this modestly priced petite château is any indication, wine lovers are going to be arguing for decades over which is the greater vintage, 2010 or 2009. Made from a blend of 50% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cabernet Franc, this fruit-forward wine, from the northern part of the Entre Deux Mers appellation, is made by Jean Lobre and his two sons, whose family has owned Bellevue Rougier for four generations. Absolutely ready to drink now, this easy-drinking Bordeaux offers oodles of soft, spicy fruit, lightly seasoned by notes of red berries, Provençal herbs, and cedar. Although it has sufficient stuffing to match with main courses of meat or poultry, this wine is also delicious by itself or with light cheeses.
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Julien
WS 90
WE 94
WA 90
ST 91
By no means comparable to their sensational 2005 or 2003, but still an outstanding wine, this singular St.-Julien always possesses notes of spring flowers, boysenberries, black currants, and graphite. The complex aromatics are followed by a medium-bodied, classic Bordeaux displaying a deep ruby/purple color as well as moderately high tannin. It needs 3-5 years of bottle age, and should last for two decades or more. —Robert Parker, Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Haut-Médoc
Our friend, owner Francois Nony, just keeps raising the bar at Caronne! A perennial winner, his 2010 has a nice bit of blackcurrant in the nose, with well-integrated, ripe tannins. There are attractive Medoc earth flavors that carry through into a long and elegant finish. (tasted twice including once at the chateau) -- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
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 - 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: 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