Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Haut-Médoc
WS 88
WA 89
We've been following Belle-Vue for years and this is another great one. It has a dark purple color and an exotic and spicy nose with a hint of vanilla. The tannins are dense, but sweet and round. It has excellent concentration of fruit. (tasted twice) CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Haut-Médoc
WA 89
We tasted the Cambon La Pelouse during our marathon Joanne tasting, but it stood out as a delightful Haut-Medoc. Dark red and black cherry fruit with a dollop of vanilla oak on the nose gave way to a concentrated and intense palate of black cherry, plum and spice. The tightly-wound finish hints that this is one to cellar for a year or two once released.
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Pessac-Léognan
WS 89
WA 91
"Abundant minerality, spicy unsmoked cigar tobacco and red and black currant characteristics emerge from this medium to full-bodied Pessac-Leognan. Displaying more power, depth, muscle and tannin than usual, this opaque ruby/purple-hued 2010 should evolve for 20-25 years."
>b>(one of the Vintage's Top Performers) Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Pessac-Léognan
WS 89
""Rounded and inviting, with hints of pear and apple giving way to more citrus, floral and straw notes. This has good range, with a brisk edge waiting in the wings on the finish."
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Haut-Médoc
WS 89
WA 89
Tasted with our friend Marc Ribet of LD Vins, this is our second consecutive vintage carrying Clement Pichon. Deep red-purple in color, this wine sports fresh, cheerful flavors and aromas marked by nuances of red berries mixed with heather.
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Sauternes - Barsac
WS 93-96
WA 93-95
We really enjoyed this wine during our group tasting with Bill Blatch, even before he took us to Chateau Coutet later that day! Our meeting with Aline Baly, niece of owner Philippe Baly, only reconfirmed our wonderful feelings for this wine. Rich and lush with tropical fruit flavors galore, this is fantastic stuff!
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: Sauvignon Blanc | Location: France - Bordeaux
WA 94
Denis Dubourdieu's Barsac cru has an attractive bouquet with subtle notes of cooking apple, pear and lime-flower, all with very fine delineation. The palate displays good weight and a fine thread of acidity, lending tension and poise that leads to a taut finish, showing good botrytis levels for the vintage. With its trademark minerality in place, this Doisy-Daene comes highly recommended.Denis Dubourdieu's Barsac cru has an attractive bouquet with subtle notes of cooking apple, pear and lime-flower, all with very fine delineation. The palate displays good weight and a fine thread of acidity, lending tension and poise that leads to a taut finish, showing good botrytis levels for the vintage. With its trademark minerality in place, this Doisy-Daene comes highly recommended. -- Neal Martin
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Sauternes - Barsac
WA 93
The Doisy-Vedrines has a refined bouquet of lemon curd, dried honey and just a touch of quince, perhaps not quite as rich as recent vintages, but very well-defined. The palate is well-balanced, with a touch of lime cordial and passion fruit on the entry, and zesty acidity and impressive precision towards the taut, slightly spicy rich finish. Returning after an hour, this sample has enhanced clarity and volume, and subsequent encounters confirm a very promising Doisy-Vedrines.The Doisy-Vedrines has a refined bouquet of lemon curd, dried honey and just a touch of quince, perhaps not quite as rich as recent vintages, but very well-defined. The palate is well-balanced, with a touch of lime cordial and passion fruit on the entry, and zesty acidity and impressive precision towards the taut, slightly spicy rich finish. Returning after an hour, this sample has enhanced clarity and volume, and subsequent encounters confirm a very promising Doisy-Vedrines. -- Neal Martin
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc
Over the past few vintages this property has been making excellent wine and the 2010 is another winner. One of the first 2010s we tasted, it showed the true markings of the vintage with dark black color, lively acidity and serious but well-integrated tannins. A core of rich, black cherry and plum fruit will make this enjoyable within a year of release but it should sing in five to seven.
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Sauternes
WS 92
WA 91
This "First Growth" Sauternes is owned by our friend Xavier Planty who has been at Guiraud nearly 30 years and just recently became owner after being winemaker and Director. This 2010 is another great Guiraud, fat and rich and quite sweet. Has the classic spiciness of Guiraud. Despite the high level of sweetness, it's fairly light on its feet.
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Pessac-Léognan
WS 92
WA 92
"This estate is well-worth following given the fact that is always a realistic value and in most top vintages an over-achiever as well. Owned by the Garcin family, the 2010 Haut-Bergey (from a vineyard near Haut-Bailly) is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot (unusual for this area). Possessing a deep ruby/purple hue as well as notes of creosote, charcoal, tobacco leaf, black currants and cherries, this sleeper of the vintage is opulent and luscious with a multilayered texture. Surprisingly forward with excellent freshness and depth, no hard edges, and a heady finish, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years."
(Sleeper of the Vintage and one of the Vintage's Top Performers) Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Fronsac
WS 88
WA 91
"This American-owned estate has been on a qualitative roll for over a decade and the 2010 should rival their 2005 and 2009 as one of the finest wines La Vieille Cure has made. The dense plum/ruby/purple-tinged 2010 exhibits beautiful notes of kirsch liqueur, black currants, licorice and forest floor. Lovely texture and purity, medium to full body and superb fruit intensity result in a gorgeous wine that will be accessible early, but capable of lasting 10-15 years."
(Sleeper of the Vintage and one of the Vintage's Top Performers) Read More
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - Haut-Médoc
WA 89
This wine has an attractive Haut-Medoc nose with black fruits and earth and a tight structure with a long and focused finish. (tasted twice)
-- CW Wine Staff (April 2011)