Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux
This wine comes from none other than Jean-Luc Thunevin, known as the "bad boy" of Bordeaux for his progressive, outside-the-box ways. We tasted this barrel sample after our beautiful lunch at his home. Bad Boy, now labeled "Mauvais Garcon" because of a copyright dispute, was superb. It has excellent concentration and balance, with blackberry and currant flavors. The tannins are soft and round, so this should be wonderful for near-term consumption.
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: Argentina - Mendoza
Imagine what Château Lafite-Rothschild would taste like if Malbec grew as well in Bordeaux as it does in Argentina? Caro, which is made in Argentina by the owners of Lafite, provides the answer. It has the classic mineral and herb notes of Lafite, and Lafite's classic Cabernet structure, but it adds the distinctive deep, rich black fruit notes that can only be obtained from Argentina's world-class Malbec grapes. For this wine, Lafite has teamed up with Argentina’s leading winery, Catena Zapata, which owns most of the finest Malbec vineyards in the region.
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Emilion
WS 97
WE 95
WA 99
A candidate for one of the finest Angelus produced to date (and there have been many, including 1989, 1990, 2000 and 2005), this blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc was fashioned from tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. It boasts a black/purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers and graphite. In the mouth, notes of incense and cassis also emerge from this velvety-textured, full-bodied, intensely concentrated 2009. With silky tannins, low acidity and spectacular purity, texture and depth, it is already approachable (although I?m sure proprietor Hubert de Bouard would think drinking it now is akin to infanticide), but should keep for 20-30+ years. Read More
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 - Sauternes
WA 92
"Fragrant and herbal, without excess of sweetness, allowing the acidity to shine through with a nice refreshing greenish tinge to it, this wine has a run-through of very pure fruit flavours (white fruit: pears, golden apples) that will make it ideal for fairly early drinking." --Bill Blatch, bordeauxgold.com
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Emilion
WS 89-91
WA 91
Wonderful length for the vintage. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a berry, toasty oak and chocolate aftertaste. Serious. Better than La Gomerie. Score range: 89-91
Quite stylish, harmonious, and complex, with a generous finishing sheen of new oak that makes it taste considerably more expensive than its modest price would suggest. -- Ben Giliberti
Varietal: Bordeaux Blend | Location: France - Bordeaux - St.-Emilion
WA 91
While no one will confuse the 2005 with this estate's prodigious 1990, it is an outstanding effort from one of St.-Emilion's finest terroirs. In terms of potential, the vineyard is exceeded only by Ausone, Pavie and Belair for micro-climate and exposition. A beautiful dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by an ethereal nose of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers, melted licorice, raspberries, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied with good acidity, sweet but high tannin, a broad mouthfeel, and admirable elegance as well as freshness, this beauty should age easily for 25+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.While no one will confuse the 2005 with this estate's prodigious 1990, it is an outstanding effort from one of St.-Emilion's finest terroirs. In terms of potential, the vineyard is exceeded only by Ausone, Pavie and Belair for micro-climate and exposition. A beautiful dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by an ethereal nose of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers, melted licorice, raspberries, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied with good acidity, sweet but high tannin, a broad mouthfeel, and admirable elegance as well as freshness, this beauty should age easily for 25+ years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035. -- Robert Parker Read More
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 - 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 - 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 - Haut-Médoc
WA 89
This blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the best wines to yet come from this estate, owned by the proprietors of Pichon Lalande in Pauillac. Juicy, succulent, cedary black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, herbs and spice box are very pure, authoritative and substantial. Dark ruby/purple, medium to full-bodied and delicious, this wine should be drunk over the next 10-15 years. A sleeper.