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
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
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
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 - 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 - 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 - Bordeaux - St.-Estèphe
WS 96
WE 95
WA 97
Representing 55% of the production and cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, Cos d?Estournel's final blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest tiny portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Compared to the massive 2009 (14.6% natural alcohol), the 2010 achieved slightly less alcohol, but also a lower pH, which accounts for its more tannic, backward, huge style. An inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of damp earth, black currants, blackberries, licorice and charcoal. Firm, thick and super-concentrated, it is another outrageously impressive wine that will require 6-10 years of cellaring. It should keep for 30+ years. It is somewhat 2005-ish in its structure and palate impression.Representing 55% of the production and cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, Cos d?Estournel's final blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest tiny portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Compared to the massive 2009 (14.6% natural alcohol), the 2010 achieved slightly less alcohol, but also a lower pH, which accounts for its more tannic, backward, huge style. An inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of damp earth, black currants, blackberries, licorice and charcoal. Firm, thick and super-concentrated, it is another outrageously impressive wine that will require 6-10 years of cellaring. It should keep for 30+ years. It is somewhat 2005-ish in its structure and palate impression. -- Robert Parker Read More
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 - 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!
This sturdy red has enticing aromas of blackberry, spice and espresso, with a dense and long finish. Should show nicely in 4-5 years. -- 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 - 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 - 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 - Pauillac
WS 92
WA 94
"This large estate (190 acres) has been on a qualitative rise for nearly a decade. A classic Pauillac, the opaque purple-colored 2010, a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, reveals beautiful notes of creme de cassis, licorice, tobacco leaf and forest floor. Bigger and more muscular than most previous vintages, this full-bodied Pauillac possesses stunning density as well as intensity. Atypically high in alcohol for this property, it requires 5-7 years of cellaring and should age effortlessly for 25-30 years."
(one of the Vintage's Greatest Wines) Read More
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 - Bordeaux - Premières Côtes de Blaye
WA 88
This medium to full-bodied red has attractive aromas of roasted fruit with nice black cherry and ripe plum flavors that surround a good, sturdy structure. The finish is fresh and long.