Andrew Caillard
The 2011 en-primeur campaign has started much earlier than expected. Usually the Bordeaux Chateaux wait for Robert Parker to publish his assessments of the vintage. His scores can influence opening prices and market sentiment. However the strong undercurrent of opinion from media and wine trade had already created expectations in the market. Almost every observer has said that prices have to come down to make this year’s campaign interesting. The 2009 and 2010 vintage reached historic highs, with some wines tripling in value. Christian Mouiex, the principal of Pomerol negociant JP Mouiex, said that he would be prepared to release 2011 wines at 50% less than the previous years. For many producers 2011 is a small vintage; roughly half the size of 2010. Yield and price reductions could translate to severely diminished revenues for some estates. Chateau Palmer for instance was knocked by poor flowering and set, hail and drought. Although its grand vin is one of the top wines of 2011, there is every indication that prices will be much lower this year.
To everyone’s surprise first growth estate Chateau Lafite Rothschild released its first tranche of 2011, on Monday 16th April at roughly 40% below the 2010 vintage. Over the last few years it has enjoyed an incredible profile in the market, with strong engagement from the Chinese. The price drop illustrates how sentiment can change within a relatively short space of time. Last year a prominent observer said that these type of wines were “only just now reaching their true value.” Yet rumours of a stagnating market, an increasing number of fake wines in China, a massive cancellation of an order across several individual wines and negociants – said to be in the tune of over 60 million Euros – and only equivocal support for the 2011 vintage, have moved the fulcrum towards the buyer. Pricing will be a key factor this year.
Perhaps Chateau Lafite’s bold early release was in response to Chateau Latour who just a few days earlier (on Friday night) announced that it would not participate in the primeurs campaign next year. The news spread across the international wine trade like wild fire. It even reached the front page of the UK’s Daily Telegraph on Tuesday 17th April. CEO Frederic Engerer, who I spoke to after filming at Chateau Latour on Monday 16th April, said the decision was made because he felt that it was better for the wine to be sold when it was ready to drink and that it would remove speculation from the market. Contrary to early media interpretation of this move, he also suggested that the wine would be sold “sur La Place de Bordeaux”; the normal channel of distribution.
One Bordeaux negociant said to me that the Chateau Latour move had been rumoured for some time. He pointedly said “the enduring success of Grand Cru Classé wine is underpinned by the Bordeaux System. This is not good for our market. The en-primeur campaign is the single most important sales period of the year.” Nonetheless, for many years, primeur allocations of Chateau Latour have dwindled; perhaps in preparation for withdrawing from this high profile market. A new underground cellar is currently being built to allow an increase in bottle stock holdings. I suspect that Chateau Latour’s decision to leave the primeurs will lead to a round of back room realpolitiks. On the other hand many media observers feel that this move is a positive step forward. Chateau Latour’s breaking of ranks could mark a new chapter in Bordeaux’s history. Will the other first growths follow? Will the 2011 primeurs represent the high-tide mark for this form of futures selling?
On Wednesday 18th April, Chateau Cos d’Estounel released its grand vin at around 48% less than the 2010 vintage. A pattern is now beginning to emerge. However it should be pointed out that not all chateaux will drastically reduce their prices. Averagely good estates, without the market profile of 1st Growths and super seconds etc, are more likely to drop by around 10-25% reflecting a more conservative approach to pricing.
I tasted most of the top wines of the 2011 vintage. Although it was an unusual growing season, many of the top Chateaux made beautiful wines. Vineyard management techniques and technology have improved greatly over the last twenty years. Investment in fermentation vats and oak is commonplace. The introduction of organic and biodynamic principles is widespread. Farming, custodianship of the land and architectural aesthetics are in vogue. One of the most striking features of the Bordeaux landscape, particularly in the Medoc and around Pessac-Leognan is the re-introduction of horses in the vineyard. It is one of the most beautiful sights. At Chateau Latour there were seven horses ploughing the vineyards, each immaculately groomed and lovingly guided by their charges. Around the corner at Chateau Pontet Canet, the more heavily set shire horses were lying “fagged-out” in their stables after a hard days work. The human factor, which can deliberately alter the physical landscape and manipulate wine, has become increasingly green and laissez-faire, leading to fresher and more expressive wines.
My approach to tasting young “primeur” wines is simple. They are all extremely elemental. Many have just completed malo-lactic fermentation. Most have been in oak for a very short time; sometimes enough time to pick up new oak characters. Firstly I take notice of the colour and limpidity of the wine. Typically these primeurs wines are medium deep or deep in colour. Then I look for freshness and clarity of fruit, but always heeding level of ripeness and fruit complexity. Concentration, buoyancy of fruit and quality of tannins are important. In 2011 the tannins are plentiful and in most cases at optimum maturity – ie chalky or al-dente. Many Chateaux used gentle extraction methods to ensure suppleness rather than bitterness. The tannin levels in many of the wines will guarantee longevity. Structurally they provide a solid backbone. Concentration and expression of fruit balances the wine out. Oak brings extra complexity and substance. Although this aspect is more difficult to “read” in young wines, it still needs to be considered. In 2011 the alcohols have rarely exceeded 13%. The wines are generally more elegant and muscular than the weightier and “sweeter” 2009s and 2010s. However, as my notes below imply, I found many lovely wines that will upon age become classics in their own right. Robert Parker’s review of the 2011 vintage and his points will come out shortly. However some horses have already bolted…
LEFT BANK
FIRST GROWTHS
Ch Lafite Rothschild (95-97 points) was arguably the best wine of the first growths but both Ch Latour (95-96 points) and Ch Mouton Rothschild (93-95 points) were excellent. Ch Margaux (93-95 points) made a beautiful wine and Ch Haut Brion (93-95 points) was also impressive.
2011 Ch Haut Brion
Deep colour. Intense plummy/ black cherry aromas with some vanilla/ malty notes. Richly textured and beautifully concentrated wine with deep set plummy/ black cherry: dark chocolate/ inky flavours, fine grained/ sinewy tannins. Finishes very firm and tight but plenty of flavour length. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch Lafite Rothschild
Deep colour. Very intense blackcurrant/ black olive/ graphite/ cedar aromas with hints of paneforte. Beautifully concentrated polished wine with pure cassis/ elderberry/ praline flavours and silky graphite tannins. Chalky crisp finish. Superb energy, substance and vinosity. (95-97 points)
2011 Ch Latour
Deep colour. Intense praline/ espresso/ mocha aromas. Deep set praline/ espresso/ blackcurrant/ grilled nut flavours, richly buoyant and substantial wine with pronounced muscular graphite tannins. Lovely length of flavour, energy and fruit complexity. (95-96 points)
2011 Ch Margaux
Deep colour. Very perfumed violet/ black cherry/ plum/ vanilla toasty aromas. Buoyant sweet red cherry/ violet flavours, pronounced chalky/ graphite but fully resolved tannins, dukkha savoury oak, juicy, supple and elegant but well balanced. Lovely length. Highest quantity of tannin ever! Muscular but feminine. Beautiful physique. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch Mouton Rothschild
Deep colour. Roasted chestnut/ ceda/ inky/ black currant aromas. Sweet smooth chocolaty wine with roasted chestnut/ praline flavours, silky/ chalky tannins. Plume of tannins at the finish. Very buoyant but muscular wine. (93-95 points)
ST-ESTEPHE
The St Estephes are muscular but the best have lovely richness and volume. Both Ch Cos d’Estournel (95-97 points) and Ch Montrose (94-97 points) are outstanding. Ch Ormes de Pez (92-94 points) and Ch Cos Labory (93-95 points) were other highlights.
2011 Ch Beau-site
Medium deep colour. Fresh cassis/ ginger/ cedar aromas. Well concentrated wine with cassis/ ginger flavour, fine looseknit touch sappy tannins. Finishes long and sweet. (85-87 points)
2011 Ch Cos d'Estournel
Deep colour. Profoundly deep dark chocolate/ paneforte/ vanilla/ spicy aromas and flavours., densely packed fruit, rich plentiful chocolaty tannins. Finishes chalky briary at the finish. A powerful and impressive wine with superb richness and vigour. (95-97 points)
2011 Ch Cos Labory
Deep colour. Fresh sweet fruit/ plum/ apricot/ vanilla aromas. Lovely plush sweet fruit flavours, plentiful chocolaty tannins and savoury oak nuances. Finishes long and sweet. Lovely buoyancy and weight. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch Lafon Rochet
Deep colour. Lovely perfumed violet/ praline/ blackcurrant aromas with touch of cedar. Deep colour. Well-concentrated dark berry/ dark chocolate flavours, juicy rich middle palate, plentiful grippy/ chalky tannins. Finishes firm and persistent. (91-93 points)
2011 Ch Montrose
Deep colour. Fresh intense dark berry/ plum/ liquorice with herb garden nuances. Beautifully balanced wine with creamy dark berry flavours, fine grained al dente tannins. Finishes very firm and muscular but lovely fruit density, volume and richness. (94-97 points)
2011 Ch Ormes de Pez
Deep colour. Very elemental rose/ violet/ cassis touch leafy aromas. Well concentrated with dark chocolate/ cassis flavours and chalky dense tannins. Finshes firm but plenty of volume and persistence. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch de Pez
Deep colour. Intense cassis/ rose petal/ cedar aromas. Very juicy/ elemental and deep blackcurrant/ dark chocolate flavours, fine muscular/ touch leafy tannins and underlying savoury complexity. Very fresh and persistent.
(91-93 points)
2011 Ch Phelan Segur
Deep colour. Intense blackcurrant/ liquorice/dark chocolate/ iodine aromas. Concentrated dark berry/ praline flavours, slinky dry tannins. Finishes firm and tight. Still very elemental, with strong muscular structure. (91-93 points)
2011 Ch Tronquoy Lalande
Medium deep colour. Lovely pure cassis/ mocha/ vanilla aromas and flavours. Lovely seductive palate with juicy dark berry flavours, and fine loose-knit chalky tannins. Finishes firm and tight. (93-95 points)
2011 La Dame de Montrose
Medium deep colour. Fresh elder berry/ chocolate aromas and flavours. Sweet fruit flavours, richness and volume on the palate, pronounced grainy tannins. Finishes firm and savoury. Very nice wine. (92-94 points)
2011 Pagodes de Cos
Medium deep colour. Intense dark cherry/ ginger vanilla oak aromas. Supple sweet espresso/ dark cherry fruit flavours and looseknit chalky tannins. Finished firm and liquoricy. Very good (93-94 points)
2011 Tronquoy de Sainte Anne
Deep colour. Inky/ blackcurrant/ vanilla aromas. Beautifully concentrated wine with fresh blackberry/ inky flavours, fine chalky dry tannins. Finishes leafy with plenty of flavor length. Very crisp and precise. (91-93 points)
PAUILLAC
Pauillac is solid with a swag of outstanding wines. Typically the wines were fresh, intense and elemental with lovely cassis/ espresso aromas and fine plentiful graphite tannins. Ch Pichon Comtesse de Lalande (93-95 points), Ch d’Armailhac (93-95 points), Ch Batailley (94-96 points) and Ch Pontet Canet (96-97 points) were impressive; some will offer terrific value.
2011 Ch d’Armailhac
Deep colour. Intense cassis/ dark chocolate/ Turkish delight aromas. Very sweet fruited wine with plenty of cassis/ dark chocolate flavors and fine grained savoury tannins. Finishes firm and persistent. Very well balanced wine with lovely richness and steeped in classicism. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch Batailley
Medium deep colour. Fresh roasted chestnut/ cassis aromas. Beautifuly concentrated and polished wine with crème de cassis/ roasted chestnut flavours, plentiful fine-grained tannins and savoury oak complexity. Build up quite muscular but finishes long and sweet. Lovely vinosity. Very good. (94-96 points)
2011 Ch Clerc Milon
Medium deep colour. Redcurrant/ dark plum/ praline aromas with some sage. Well concentrated sweet fruited wine with dark plum/ herb flavours, chalky loose-knit tannins. Finsihes firm and brambly. (87-89 points)
2011 Ch Croizet Bages
Deep colour. Fragrant black cherry/dark chocolate/ touch minty aromas, Black cherry, slight walnut flavours, fine grainy but savoury dry tannins and vanilla oak nuances. Finishes cedary and long. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch Duhart Milon Rothschild
Deep colour. Lovely fresh cassis/ sage aromas, touch of cedar. Sweet fruit flavours, fine plentiful slinky grainy tannins. Finishes chalky and juicy. Still very elemental but tannins are totally in sync with fruit. (91-94 points)
2011 Ch Grand Puy Ducasse
Deep colour. Fragrant cassis/dark berry/ cedar/ pine needle aromas. Very concentrated and buoyant with deep set blackberry/ dark chocolate flavours and rich chocolaty tannins. Finishes very firm and elemental but this has all the richness and energy to evolve. (91-94 points)
2011 Ch Grand Puy Lacoste
Medium deep colour. Blueberry/ cassis/ vanilla aromas with some herb notes. Very elegant style with blueberry/ cassis/ vanilla/ cedar flavours, loose-knit chalky/ graphite tannins. Finishes very brambly/ muscular. (90-92 points)
2011 Ch Haut Bages Liberal
Medium deep colour. Blackcurrant/ dark chocolate/ vanilla aromas. Well-concentrated wine with blackcurrant/ vanilla fruit, powdery dry tannins and some cedar complexity. Touch of pondwater (reduction). (87-89 points)
2011 Ch Haut-Bages Monpelou
Deep colour. Fragrant cedar/ sandalwood/ blackberry aromas. Cassis/ cedar flavours and looseknit gravel tannins. Finishes firm and tight. (84-86 points)
2011 Ch Haut Batailley
Medium deep colour. Black cherry/ aniseed/ sage violet aromas. Sweet fruit/ red cherry/ aniseed, fine gravelly tannins. Finishes firm and tight. (89-92 points)
2011 Ch Lynch Bages
Deep colour. Beautiful blackcurrant pastille/praline/ herb garden aromas.
Lovely concentrated wine with deep set blackcurrant dark chocolate flavours, plenty of volume and crisp dry tannins. Still premature but balanced.(91-93 points)
2011 Ch Les Hauts de Lynch Moussas
Deep colour. Dark chocolate/ mocha/ dried plum aromas. Sweet fruit roasted chestnut/ dark chocolate/ cassis flavours, juicy mid palate, pronounced chalky tannins. Finishes firm and tight. (88-91 points)
2011 Ch Lynch Moussas
Medium deep colour. Elderberry/ mocha/ aromas. Very buoyant sweet fruited wine with elderberry/ cassis flavours, fine grainy but pronounced tannins. Very juicy and concentrated. Finishes chalky firm but plenty of fruit persistence.(90-93 points)
2011 Ch Pibran
Medium deep colour. Fragrant red currant/ mocha aromas. Well concentrated but medium weighted wine with crisp red currant/ red cherry flavours and lacy dry touch bitter tannins. (84-86 points)
2011 Ch Pichon Longueville Baron
Deep colour. Intense inky/ plum/ cassis / vanilla aromas . Well concentrated sweet cassis, plum flavours, fine slinky dry tannins and plenty of savoury complexity. Touch of ginger/ vanillla. Elegantly proportioned wine but quite muscular. Tannin plume. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Medium deep colour. Intense aromatic blackcurrant/ polish/ lead pencil aromas and flavours with a compelling sinuous structure. Supple/slinky tannins and long savoury complexity. Very fresh and vigorous wine.
(93-95 points)
2011 Ch Pontet Canet
Deep colour. Intense plush toasted chestnut/ plum/ cherry aromas. Lovely aromatics. Lovely plush ripe dark berry fruit/ blueberry fruit, rich plentiful chalky tannins, superb fruit sweetness and energy. Fresh walnutty nites. Surely one of the top wines of the vintage (96-97 points)
2011 Carruades de Lafite
Deep colour. Inky lead pencil/ graphite/ elderberry aromas. Sweet pippy fruit/ elderberry black currant flavours, fine slinky dry tannins and underlying savoury notes. Finishes chalky firm. Classical and beautiful. (92-95 points)
2011 Lacoste Borie
Medium colour. Fresh sage/ red cherry aromas. Sweet cherry/ mint flavours/ loose-knit chalky tannins. Minerally finish. (82-84 points)
2011 Les Forts de Latour
Medium deep colour. Lovely mocha/dark berry aromas. Beautiful concentrated wine with supple dark berry/ mocha/ espresso flavours, loosening slinky dry touch al dente tannins. Finages firm and minerally. Very good. 92-94 points Ch Latour Deep colour. Intense praline/ espresso/ mocha aromas. Deep set praline/ espresso/ blackcurrant/ grilled nut flavours, richly buoyant and svç ubstantial wine with pronounced muscular graphite tannins. Lovely length of flavour, energy and fruit complexity. (95-96 points)
2011 Pauillac (3rd wine of Ch Latour)
Fresh aniseed/ sage/ cassis aromas/ liquorice aromas. Well concentrated wine with cassis/ elderberry/ herb flavours, fine graphite tannins. Finishes chalky dry and savoury. (86-88 points)
2011 Le Petit Mouton
Deep colour. Intense elderberry/ liquorice/ black cherry aromas and flavours. Black cherry/ dark chocolate flavours, slinky chocolaty tannins. Fresh chalky texture. Finishes minerally and long. (85-88 points)
2011 Les Tourelles de Longueville
Medium deep colour. Inky/ red cherry/ toasty flavours, sweet fruit plummy notes, chalky textures with some leafy notes. Crisp finish. (87-89 points)
SAINT-JULIEN
St Julien performed quite strongly. The wines are fragrant with clear cassis/ black cherry aromas with strong grainy tannins. Ch Ducru Beaucaillou (94-96 points) was a stand out, but also Ch Leoville Lascases (94-96 points) was impressive. Ch Branaire Ducru (94-96 points) and Ch Leoville Barton (94-96 points) were my value picks - assuming the prices are good!
2011 Ch Beychevelle
Medium deep colour. Fresh dark chocolate/ praline/ mocha aromas. Well concentrated cassis/ chocolate flavours, plentiful chalky tannins. Finishes firm and chalky. (90-93 points)
2011 Ch Branaire Ducru
Deep colour. Elemental elderberry/ black cherry/ herb aromas. A muscular and substantial wine with juicy generous elderberry/ black cherry/ chocolate flavours and voluminous brambly/ muscular – touch leafy tannins. Finishes firm and dry. Impressive wine. (94-96 points)
2011 Ch Ducru Beaucaillou
Very deep colour. Intense dark berry/ elderberry/ cedar/ vanilla aromas. Concentrated, sweet fruit substantial fruit cassis/ elderberry/ black cherry/ chocolaty flavours, rich plentiful tannins and about. Lovely power, richness and flavor length. (94-96 points)
2011 Ch Gloria
Deep colour. Fragrant plum/ red cherry aromas with vanilla notes. Fresh red currant raspberry flavours, loose-knit chalky dry tannins, Finishes very savoury and long. (85-87 points)
2011 Ch Gruaud Larose
Deep colour. Black olive/ iodine aromas with some mocha/ smoky notes. Well concentrated redcurrant/ black olive flavours, fine chalky dry tannins. Finishes long and sweet. (89-92 points)
2011 Ch Lagrange
Medium deep colour. Redcurrant/ plum aromas and flavours, slinky dry loose-knit tannins. Finish chalky firm. Medium concentrated wine with good flavour length. (87-89 points)
2011 Ch Lalande Borie
Medium colour. Fresh cherry/ elderberry aromas/ praline aromas. Well concentrated pippy cherry/ cassis/chalky vanillin flavours, fine loose knit savoury dry tannins. Finishes long and sweet.
2011 Ch Langoa Barton
Deep colour. Intense elderberry/ cedar/ leafy aromas – touch of violet. Well concentrated wine with elderberry/ dark chocolate flavours and fine grainy tannins. Finishes firm and minerally. (88-91 points)
2011 Ch Leoville Barton
Deep colour. Lovely ripe blackcurrant/ praline/ espresso aromas. Deep set wine with rich dark chocolate/ dark berry flavours, chocolaty rich tannins and plenty of savoury complexity. Delicious wine. (94-96 points)
2011 Ch Leoville Lascases
Deep colour. Fresh liquorice/ cassis aromas. Rich dense inky cassis/ plum/ paneforte flavours, dense chocolaty/ gravelly tannins. Richly flavoured substantial wine which will take years to unravel. Superb vinosty and richness. A cracker wine! (94-96 points)
2011 Ch Leoville Poyferre
Deep colour. Black olive/ black currant/ sandal wood, cigar box aromas. Rich voluminous wine with deep set cassis/ praline flavours, loose-knit chocolaty tannins and cedar oak notes. (90-93 points)
2011 Ch Saint Pierre
Deep colour. Fresh blackcurrant/ vanilla bean aromas. Beautifully concentrated wine with sweet juicy casis/ dark plum flavours, fine grainy/ chalky tannins and underlying vanilla oak. Finishes firm and long. Very well balanced wine.
(93-95 points)
2011 Ch Talbot
Deep colour. Intense black cherry/ roasted chestnut/ vanilla aromas. Sweet fruited wine with sweet black cherry/ cassis flavours, fine chocolaty tannins, and underling savoury oak. Nice tannin kick at the finish. (92-94 points)
2011 Clos de Marquis
Medium deep colour. More concentrated wine with fresh elderberry/ aniseed/ plum aromas, sweet fruit flavours, dense chalky dry tannins and underlying cedar/ vanilla notes. Firm and tight. (91-93 points)
2011 Croix de Beaucaillou
Lovely deep colour. Intense plush cassis/ praline/ herb garden aromas. Very modern wine with clear cassis/ dark chocolate flavours, rich chocolaty/ graphite tannins and savoury toasty oak. Finishes firm and chocolaty.
(91-94 points)
2011 Petit Lion
Medium deep colour. Fresh red cherry plum aromas and flavours. Palate is vigorous with plentiful brambly tannins. Very elegant and firm. (84-86 points)
MARGAUX
Margaux was a mixed performer. Both Ch Margaux (93-95 points) and Ch Palmer (95-97 points), which experienced the lowest yields since 1961, made beautiful wines. Typically they are deep coloured with intense cassis/ mulberry aromas, buoyant fruit and savoury/ chocolaty tannins. Ch Lascombes (92-94 points), Ch Malescot Saint Exupery (92-94 points) and Ch Marquis de Terme (94-96 points) were my picks.
2011 Ch d’Angludet
Deep colour. Reductive notes, but dark fruited/ dark chocolate/ cedar aromas. Sweet fruit/ dark cherry/ smoky wood flavours, plentiful chocolaty tannins with vanilla/ toasty oak notes. (90-92 points)
2011 Ch Brane Cantenac
Medium deep colour. Fresh blueberry/ raspberry aromas with some inky/ toasty notes. Supple blueberry/ toasty flavours, fine loose-knit chocolaty tannins. Finishes savoury and chalky dry with a tannin plume.(91-93 points)
2011 Ch Cantenc Brown
Deep colour. Intense and classical cassis/ vanilla cedar aromas.
Well concentrated and juicy with cassis/ elderberry fruit flavours, loose-knit powdery tannins and underlying vanilla notes.(90-92 points)
2011 Ch Dauzac
Medium deep colour. Plum/rhubarb aromas with some roasted notes.
Smooth plum/ rhubarb flavours, fine loose knit/ grainy tannins, and savoury/ biscuity notes. Builds up firm and tight at the finish, but good buoyancy and weight. (88-90 points)
2011 Ch Desmirail
Medium deep colour. Intense dark fruits/ vegemite/ roasted chestnut aromas - touch of mint. Richly concentrated wine with deep set elderberry/ dark chocolate/ mocha flavours, dense chalky tannins and spicy oak notes. Finishes chocolaty firm. Very rich and voluminous. (91-93 points)
2011 Ch Ferriere
Medium deep colour. Lovely clear pure cassis/ black cherry aromas. Beautifully concentrated wine with juicy cassis/ black cherry flavours, velvety textures and cedar/ ginger oak notes. Finishes firm but deliciously long, sweet-fruited and flavourful. (94-96 points)
2011 Ch Giscours
Deep colour. Fresh lifted dark plum/ praline/ vanilla aromas with touch of herb garden/sage. Well-concentrated dark plum/ sage flavours, brambly dry sinewy tannins, juicy mid-palate and underlying savoury notes. Finishes chalky firm. Grippy but plenty of volume and richness to balance. (90-92 points)
2011 Ch Kirwan
Medium deep colour. Redcurrant/ mocha/ sage aromas. Very elemental with elderberry/ juicy flavours, plentiful chalky tannins, savoury/ mocha notes and vigorous finish. Very crisp and flavourful. Lovely vinosity. (90-92 points)
2011 Ch Labegorce
Medium deep crimson. Lovely roasted chestnut/ cassis/ herb garden aromas. Well balanced wine with deep cassis/ chestnut/ praline flavours, smooth dense velvet/ chocolaty tannins. Build ups rich and firm. Very buoyant and attractive wine. (91-93 points)
2011 Ch Lascombes
Deep colour. Superb blackcurrant pastille/ dark chocolate aromas with some violet notes. Fresh blackcurrant/ mocha flavours, fine sinuous graphite tannins and lovely mid-palate richness. Cassis/cedary finish. Very good.
(92-94 points)
2011 Ch Malescot Saint Exupery
Medium deep colour. Redcurrant/ espresso aromas with some dark chocolate notes. Sweet fruit/ redcurrant/ mocha flavours, lovely richness of fruit, fine slinky tannins and underlying spicy nuances. Finishes firm and long. Very nice wine. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch Marquis de Terme
Medium deep colour. Fresh and vigorous elderberry/ blackcurrant/ ginger/ herb aromas and flavours, rich chocolaty tannins and underlying vanilla oak. Finishes chalky firm but lovely fruit sweetness pervades. Super wine for this vintage. (94-96 points)
2011 Ch Montbrison
Medium colour. Red cherry/ mocha aromas with vanilla notes. Red cherry/mocha/ silage fruit, muscular sinewy tannins. Builds up brambly and tight. (83-85 points)
2011 Ch Palmer
Very deep inky colour. Intense violet/ dark chocolate/blackcurrant praline aromas. Very lovely chocolatey wine, packed with solid cassis/ mulberry / praline flavours, dense chocolaty savoury tannins and spicy/ cedar oak. Finishes firm and chocolaty. Delicious. (95-97 points)
2011 Ch Prieure Lichine
Medium deep colour. Nutmeg/ spicy/ chocolate/ cedar aromas. Chalky hard palate with plenty of chewy new oak and chalky/ sinewy tannins. Some dark cherry/chocolate flavours. Suspect not representative of final wine.
(84 points)
2011 Ch Rauzan Gassies
Medium deep colour. Cherry stone, touch meaty aromas with some iodine/ reductive notes. Red cherry/ vanilla fruit, sinewy/ brambly dry tannins. Touch underpowered. (81-83 points)
2011 Ch Rauzan Segla
Medium deep colour. Fresh cassis/ plum/ vanilla/ toasty aromas.
Dark rich voluminous wine with dark cherry/ dark plum fruit, brambly dry tannins. Muscular and elemental, but powerful and expressive. (91-93 points)
2011 Ch Siran
Medium deep colour. Lovely intense blackcurrant/ dark chocolate/ liquorice aromas, Bouyant rich cassis/ espresso flavours and chocolaty dry/ graphite tannins. Finishes chalky dry but also long and sweet. (90-92 points)
2011 Ch du Tertre
Medium deep colour. Intense and aromatic wine with plum/ spicy/ clove aromas. Well-concentrated loose-knit wine with plum/ dark cherry flavours, supple almost lacy tannins and underlying spicy/ toasty notes. Finishes chalky – touch leafy firm. (89-91 points)
2011 Alter Ego de Chateau Palmer
Deep colour. Intense dark cherry/cassis/confit aromas with some praline/ violet/ herb notes. Sweet concentrated dark cherry/ praline/ vanilla, juicy elderberry characters, pronounced firm dense al dente tannins. Substantial wine with plenty of richness/ paneforte notes. Finishes firm and chocolaty. (91-94 points)
2011 Les Douves de La Tour Carnet
Medium colour. Cassis Ted cherry aromas, fine grained chalky tannins. Firm but tight.(86-88 points)
2011 Pavillon Rouge
Medium deep colour. Red cherry/ raspberry aromas. Fresh sage wintergreen aromas. Sweet cherry/ raspberry chalky savoury tannins, touch al dente but a lively crispness and vinosity. Tannin plume at the finish. Still quite elemental.(90-92 points)
MEDOC & HAUT MEDOC
Medoc and Haut Medoc are typically a mixed bag. The sub regions extend over a vast area with varying topography and soil types. However some producers have made very good wines with strong fruit definition, good concentration and plentiful tannins. Ch La Lagune is a standout as well as a number of Cru Bourgeois wines.
MEDOC
2011 Ch Goulee
Medium deep colour. Fresh intense dark cherry/ blueberry aromas/ ginger notes. Fresh cherry/ blueberry flavours, some liquorice notes, lively chalky tannins, beautiful concentration and flavor length. Delicious. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch Greysac
Medium deep colour. Very fragrant violet/ redcurrant aromas with some leafy notes. Well concentrated smooth, redcurrant/ cassis flavours and looseknit cedary tannins. Finishes chalky firm but long and sweet.
(89-92 points)
2011 Ch Haut Madrac
Medium deep colour. Fragrant dark cherry/ blackberry aromas with some fresh walnut notes. Well concentrated dark cherry/ juicy blackcurrant flavours, looseknit chocolaty/ mocha flavours. Finishes firm, but long. (84-86 points)
2011 Ch Potensac
Medium deep colour. Intense plum/ Parma violet aromas. Well concentrated plum/ violet flavours, iron-like tannins, nice richness and volume. Finishes firm and tight. Tannins are wrestling with fruit. (85-87 points)
2011 Ch Tour de By
Deep colour. Lovely fresh blueberry/ cassis aromas with touch of mocha/ vanilla. Beautifuly concentrated wine with deep set dark berry/ dark chocolate/ mocha flavours, rich chocolaty tannins and underlying savoury oak. Finishes firm but lovely buoyancy and richness to balance. (93-95 points)
2011 Chapelle de Potensac
Medium deep colour. Fragrant cassis/ slightly smoky/ sappy aromas. Palate is flavorful with cassis/ meaty/ cedar flavours, sinewy quite chewy tannins. Finishes firm and leafy.(81-84 points)
2011 Les Grands Chenes
Intense elderberry / plum aromas. Well concentrated and buoyant. Chocolaty tannins, underlying savoury oak. Lovely wine (92 points)
HAUT MEDOC
2011 Ch Beaumont
Medium deep colour. Rhubarb/ red currant/stewed plum aromas. Well concentrated juicy stewed plum/ rhubarb flavours, leafy tannins. Finishes very tannic like a fur-ball. (81-84 points)
2011 Ch Belgrave
Deep colour. Intense elderberry/ cedar/ touch sandalwood/ lead pencil aromas. Well concentrated elderberry/ cedar wood flavours, grippy dry [plentiful tannins. Finishes firm and tight, Still very elemental but juicy, rich and powerful. (90-92 points)
2011 Ch de Camensac
Medium deep colour. Ribena/ redcurrant/plum/ vanilla aromas. Rasrpberry pastille/ redcurrant flavours, loosknit chalky tannins. Finshes leafy firm.(86-88 points)
2011 Ch Cantemerle
Deep colour. Dark berry/ dark chocolate/ cedar wood aromas. Lovely concentrated wine with deep blackcurrant frit, plenty of cedar oak notes, and plentiful chocolaty tannins. Finishes chalky dry and firm. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch Citran
Medium deep colour. Juicy blackberry/ touch minty aromas. Sweet juicy fruit flavours and plenty of lead pencil/ cedar notes. Very muscular wine with pronounced iron-like tannins. Finishes long and savoury. Touch leafy.
(91-93 points)
2011 Ch Coufran
Deep colour. Fresh blackberry/ pippy/ vanilla aromas. Deep set fresh buoyant blackberry/ juicy flavours, lovely vanilla. Toasted oak notes, fine pronounced graphite tannins. Very muscular and tight. Will take sometime to come around but worth the wait. (89-91 points)
2011 Ch La Lagune
Medium deep colour. Very perfumed violet/ cassis/ plum aromas. Lovely inky/ cassis/ aniseed flavours, fine grainy touch chalky tannins. Finishes cedary and long. Very nice weight. (91-94 points)
2011 Ch La Tour Carnet
Medium deep colour. Crème de Cassis/ vanilla/ herb garden aromas. Plenty of sweet fruit flavours, mocha, dark chocolate flavours, pronounced chalky dry almost dessicating tannins. Finishes dry and firm. (87-89 points)
2011 Ch de Lamarque
Medium deep colour. Incense/ cedar wood/ smoky redcurrant aromas. Well concentrated redcurrant/ cedar flavours, looseknit chalky/ chocolaty tannins. Finishes cedary firm. (80-82 points)
2011 Ch Malescasse
Medium deep colour. Plum/ blackcurrant/ cranberry aromas with touch of sage. Well concentrated wine with blackcurrant/ cranberry flavours, underying vanilla notes and fine slinky dry tannins. Finishes firm and persistent. Very refined with tannins tamed. (90-93 points)
LISTRAC & MOULIS
Listrac and Moulis are also a mixed bag. I found many to be overly sinewy and underpowered with fruit. Ch Poujeaux (91-93 points) is one of the stronger performers.
LISTRAC
2011 Ch Clarke
Deep colour. Intense inky/ black fruits/ garrigue/ aniseed aromas. Medium concentrated wine with fresh inky/ blackcurrant/ black olive flavours, sinewy dry but plentiful tannins. Finishes chalky dry but good overall length.
(83-85 points)
2011 Ch Fonreaud
Deep colour. Fresh dark cherry/ blackcurrant pastille aromas with savoury/ toasted/ grilled nut notes. Well-concentrated and buoyant with plenty of dark cherry/ cassis flavours, loose-knit dry cedar tannins and underlying savoury notes. Finishes brambly and juicy. (84-86 points)
2011 Ch Fourcas Dupre
Medium deep colour. Cassis herb garden aromas with dark chocolate notes. Deep set blackcurrant/ cherry stone flavours, velvety rich, al dente tannins and savoury notes. Finishes chalky firm. (84-86 points)
2011 Ch Fourcas Hosten
Medium deep colour. Fresh plum/ graphite/ herb/ violet aromas. Well concentrated juicy plum/ cassis/ brambly flavours, dry leafy tannins Finishes sinewy and dry, like a fur ball. (81-83 points)
MOULIS-EN MEDOC
2011 Ch Chasse Spleen
Medium deep colour. Red currant/ plum/ cherry pastille aromas. Medium concentrated wine with smooth red currant/ plum/ cherry flavours, fine loose gravel tannins. Finishes chalky dry. (84-86 points)
2011 Ch Maucaillou
Deep colour. Very fresh and aromatic wine with lovely blackcurrant/ cedar/ praline aromas. Lovely wine with blackcurrant/ dark chocolate flavours, plenty of mid-palate richness and fruit sweetness, savoury/ toasted chestnut notes and plentiful chocolaty tannins. Finishes firm and long. A standout wine. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch Poujeaux
Deep colour. Dark berry/ graphite/ vanilla aromas with some herb nuances. Well concentrated dark berry/ chocolaty/ sage flavours, with rich ample tannins, savoury toasty notes. Finishes firm but long and flavourful.(91-93 points)
GRAVES–PESSAC LEOGNAN
Graves and Pessac-Leognan were uneven. The very best Chateaux including Ch Haut Brion (93-95 points) and Ch La Mission Haut Brion (93-95 points) are impressive. I also enjoyed Domaine de Chevalier (92-95 points), Ch Smith Haut Lafitte (91-93 points), Ch Bailly and the lesser known Ch Bouscaut. These wines are well concentrated with fairly strong tannins. Some estates made wines that were just over extracted. The whites are good, but when compared to Australian and New Zealand Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc-based wines, they will not offer great value.
RED WINES
2011 Ch Bouscaut
Medium deep colour. Fruit driven wine with redcurrant/ plum/ cassis aromas. Sweet plum/ dark berry fruit, rich voluminous mid palate and strong chocolaty/ al dente tannins Finishes firm and flavourful. Impressive.(93-95 points)
2011 Ch Carbonnieux
Deep colour. Scented violet/ blackcurrant/ dark chocolate/ graphite aromas. Rich powerful wine with deep set sweet blackcurrant/ chocolaty fruit, fine sinewy dry tannins. Finishes chalky firm and minerally fresh. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch Carmes Haut Brion
Medium deep colour. Intense cedar/ herb garden/ cassis/ plum aromas.
Sweet fruit/ plummy/ cassis flavours, loose-knit but dense graphite/ slinky tannins that build firm and chocolaty at finish. Powerful but elegant wine.(92-94 points)
2011 Ch de Chantegrive
Deep colour. Lovely fragrant plum/ tobacco/ toasty oak/ vanilla aromas. Lovely sweet/ plum/ vanilla flavours and plentiful chocolaty dry tannins. Quiet chunky in structure but good overall balance and length. (87-89 points)
2011 Ch Ferrande
Medium deep colour. Fresh dark berry/ cedar wood aromas with herb-garden notes. Sweet dark berry/ cedar flavours, pronounced sinewy dry tannins. Finishes very chalky firm. Tannins overwhelm fruit. (80-82 points)
2011 Ch de Fieuzal
Deep colour. Stale sample – chocolate/ cedar wood aromas. Supple sweet fruit flavours, plenty of mid-palate richness, underlying savoury oak. Finishes juicy, chocolaty and long. (87-89 points)
2011 Ch de France
Deep colour. Dark chocolate/ Turkish Delight/ blackberry aromas. Sweet baked plum/ aniseed flavours with chalky strangulating tannins. Finishes firm, but plenty of fruit sweetness follows through. Massively powerful but also plenty of buoyancy of fruit. (87-90 points)
2011 Ch Gracia
Deep colour. Intense ripe blackberry/ musky plum dark chocolate aromas, chalky loose-knit tannins. Finishes quite woolly. Good flavour length. (89-92 points)
2011 Ch Haut Bailly
Medium deep colour. Fresh cedar/ elderberry/ spicy plum aromas. Well concentrated sinuous wine with fresh elderberry/ cassis flavours, plentiful brambly dry strangulating tannins. Tannins slick at the finish. Very elemental and powerful, but could develop into something. (90-93 points)
2011 Ch Haut Bergey
Deep colour. Intense dark chocolate/ nougat/ roasted hazelnut/ incense aromas. Well concentrated cassis/ cedarwood flavours and brambly dry tannins. Finishes bitter and tannic, but balanced by sweet fruit. Will settle down. (88-91 points)
2011 Ch La Mission Haut Brion
Medium deep colour. Intense blackcurrant/ bitumen/ cedar/ leafy aromas. Sweet juicy cassis/ elderberry flavours, plentiful dry chalky tannins and underlying savoury mocha nuances. Very dry chalky chewy finish. Will need time to come around. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch La Louviere
Medium deep colour. Fresh red cherry/ walnutty aromas. Well-concentrated juicy wine with fresh red berry/ red currant flavours, fine loose-knit chocolaty/chalky tannins. Finishes chalky firm and savoury. (86-88 points)
2011 Ch Larrivet Haut Brion
Deep colour. Aromatic and fresh blackberry/ graphite/ coal dust aromas. Buoyant and juicy with blackberry/ elderberry flavours, strong powerful tannins which plume at the finish. Very impressive wine. Muscular, deeply concentrated and long. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch Latour Martillac
Medium deep colour. Fresh red currant/ touch gluhwein aromas/ some aniseed notes. Sweet fruit/ cedar/ vanilla flavours, chewy/chalky tannins. Finishes firm and dry. Chunky structure. (84-86 points)
2011 Ch Lespault Martillac
Fresh vanilla/ cassis/ herb aniseed aromas. Well concentrated juicy firm wine with deep set blackberry chocolaty flavours rich plentiful tannins and underlying oak. (89-91 points)
2011 Ch Malartic Lagraviere
Medium deep colour. Touch green bean/ plasticine/ oaky aromas with some leafy notes. Very muscular wine with dark berry/ bitumen flavours and massive leafy dry tannins. (83-85 points)
2011 Ch Olivier
Medium deep colour. Blackcurrant pastille/ chocolate aromas with some herb/ violet notes. Sweet cassis/ blackberry fruit, fine sinewy al dente tannins. Finishes firm, chewy and tight. (89-92 points)
2011 Ch Pape Clement
Medium deep colour. Fragrant cedar/ sandalwood/ praline aromas with some herb notes. Sweet crème de cassis/ juicy fruit flavours and round supple dense tannins. Finishes chocolaty firm with plenty of flavour length. Well-balanced wine that needs time to integrate. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch Pique Caillou
Medium deep colour. Fresh raspberry/ red plum/ vanilla aromas. Redcurrant vanilla flavours, fine loose-knit chalky tannins. Finishes minerally and dry.(80-84 points)
2011 Ch Rahoul
Deep colour. Very elemental with elderberry/ aniseed/ leafy aromas. Sweet plummy/ aniseed fruit/ vanilla notes, loose-knit fine chalky tannins. Finishes firm and savoury. (85-87 points)
2011 Ch Smith Haut Lafitte
Medium deep colour. Fragrant red berry/ cedar/ floral/ leafy aromas. Well-concentrated sweet fruit red berry / plum flavours, plentiful cedary tannins. Finishes firm and cedary. (91-93 points)
2011 Domaine de Chevalier
Fresh dark cherry/ cassis/ cedar/ roasted almond aromas. Beautifully concentrated with dark cherry/ cassis flavours/ roasted almond flavours, loose- knit chocolaty tannins, sinuous and chewy finish. Very good.(92-95 points)
2011 L'Esprit de Chevalier
Deep colour. Aromatic violet/ deep blackcurrant / herb aromas. Fresh cassis dark chocolate flavours, grippy dry/ chalky tannins. Finishes firm and tight.(90-92 points)
2011 Domaine de Solitude
Intense black olive/ cassis/ miso/ touch meaty aromas. Very juicy attractive wine with pippy/ black berry/ brambly flavours and firm chalky dry tannins.(90-92 points)
2011 La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion
Deep colour. Intense cassis/ cedar/ inky/ praline aromas. Sweet blackcurrant elderberry dark chocolate flavours, crisp dry tannins and underlying savoury oak. Quite elegant and savoury with mineral finish. (87-90 points)
2011 Le Clarence de Haut Brion
Medium deep colour. Intense dark cherry/ cassis/ brambly aromas. Palate is juicy with dark berry/ elderberry flavours, graphite texture. Finishes very firm with strong bitter tannins. (87-89 points)
2011 La Clarte de Haut Brion
Pale colour. Intense lemon rind/honey/ yeasty/ vanilla aromas. Beautifully concentrated wine with pineapple/ grapefruit/ lemon flavours, some yeasty complexity and fine cutting acidity. Rich and minerally. (92-94 points)
PESSAC-LEOGNAN & GRAVES WHITES
2011 Ch Bouscaut
Pale colour. Grapefruit/ yeasty/ toasty/ herb aromas and flavours. Palate is rich, slightly sweet with supple textures and long mineral acidity, Finishes al-dente and fresh. (91-93 points)
2011 Ch Carbonnieux
Pale colour. Fresh grapefruit/ lime/ verbena aromas. Well concentrated wine with lemon curd/ grapefruit/ lemon tonic flavours, tangy acidity and fine chalky looseknit texture. Finishes long and bitter sweet. (90-92 points)
2011 Ch Chantegrive
Pale colour. Aromatic lime/ toasty aromas. Palate is fresh and juicy with lime/ vanilla/ toasty oak flavours, some chalky/ al dente texture and crunchy acidity. Finishes long and sweet. Very good. (91-93 points)
2011 Ch Ferrande
Pale colour. Intense lemon curd/ grapefruit aromas with some yeasty notes. Well concentrated lemon/ yeast/ grapefruit flavours, some creamy toasty notes and clear mineral acidity. (85-87 points)
2011 Ch de Fieuzal
Pale colour. Intense lemon/ lime/ orange peel aromas. Well concentrated lemon curd flavours, rich voluminous flavours and fine cutting acidity. Finishes chalky, long and sweet. Touch of alcohol kick. (88-90 points)
2011 Ch de France
Medium pale colour. Strong cedary/ lemon curd/ yeasty aromas. Richly flavoured lemon curd/ grilled nut/ pear skin flavours, lovely yeasty complexity, fresh toasty oak and lovely refreshing acidity. Finishes long and sweet. Lovely wine. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch Haut Bergey
Pale colour. Very attractive lemon curd/ vanilla aromas with some toasted almond notes. Sweet fruit/ lemon glace/ vanilla flavours, supple textures and crunchy acidity. Lovely wine. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch Haut Brion
Pale colour. Intense grapefruit/ lemon curd/ camomile aromas with vanilla notes. Sweet fruit/ lemon glade/ grapefruit flavours, supple and minerally. Finishes quite chalky and hard. (92-94 points)
2011 Ch La Louviere
Pale colour. Fresh grapefruit/ grilled nut aromas. Well-concentrated grapefruit/ lime flavours, fine crunchy acidity. Finishes chalky and minerally at the finish. (85-87 points)
2011 Ch Larrivet Haut Brion
Pale colour. Oak dominant wine with verbena/ grapefruit aromas and plenty of vanilla/cedar notes. Sweet grapefruit/ lemon curd flavours, plenty of yeasty richness and toasted nut notes. Finshes minerally and fresh. Delicious wine. (93-95 points)
2011 Ch La Mission Haut Brion
Pale colour. Fragrant lemon curd verbena/ herb garden aromas. Sweet lemon curd/ grapefruit flavours , lovely richness and tangy acidity. (93-94 points)
2011 Ch Lespault Martillac Blanc
Verbena/ lime aromas with some savoury notes. Well-concentrated sweet lemon bitters/ verbena / grapefruit flavours followed by cutting acidity. Finishes mouthwatering fresh. (89-91 points)
2011 Ch Malartic Lagraviere
Pale colour. Intense verbena/ white flower/ herb/ aniseed aromas. Sweet fruited palate with lemon curd/ white peach flavours, fine loose knit chalky texture and piercing mouth watering acidity. (87-89 points)
2011 Ch Olivier
Pale colour. Fresh lemon curd/ grapefruit/ vanilla aromas. Sweet lemon curd/ yeast/ tonic water flavours, with chalky textures, some vanilla oak and long fresh acidity. (89-91 points)
2011 Ch Pape Clement
Pale colour. Fresh flinty/ sweet grapefruit aromas. Sweet lemon curd/ marmalade flavours, nice richness and cutting acidity. Finishes chalky dry and yeasty. Very elemental and mouth-watering. (89-91 points)
2011 Ch Pique Caillou
Pale colour. Strong vanilla/ mocha aromas over verbena/ lemony fruit. Sweet rich lemon curd/ verbena flavours, fine chalky dry texture and vanilla/ toasted nut notes. Finishes firm and cedary. (86-88 points)
2011 Ch Rahoul
Pale colour. Grapefruit/ silage/ yeasty aromas and flavours. Loose-knit chalky texture, pithy grapefruit notes and piercing acidity. Finishes fresh and tight. (84-86 points)
2011 Ch Smith Haut Lafitte
Pale colour. Flinty/ lemon/ grapefruit aromas with some savoury oak notes. Well concentrated grapefruit/ flinty flavours, lovely looseknit chalky texture and some yeasty complexity. Acidity is fresh and minerally. Finishes dry and long. (91-93 points)
2011 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
Pale colour. Grapefruit/ lemon aromas with some ginger notes. Refined grapefruit/ lemon flavours, supple texture, vanilla/ ginger notes. Finishes chalky and long. (91-94 points)
2011 Domaine de Solitude Blanc
Fresh lime/ touch salty/ herb aromas. Rich voluminous, lime/ salty flavours and strong acidity. Alcoholic kick at finish. (83-85 points)
2011 L'Esprit de Chevalier Blanc
Intense lemon/ lime/herb aromas. Well-concentrated palate with lemon herb grapefruit flavours, loose- knit chalky texture and long mineral acidity.
(90-92 points)
2011 Lune d'Argent Clos des Lunes Blanc
Herb/ spearmint/ lanolin/ lemon curd aromas, lovely sweet lemon curd/chalky flavours and long acid cut. (91-93 points)
BORDEAUX BLANC
2011 Aile d'Argent Blanc, Bordeaux Blanc
Pale colour. Grapefruit/ lemon curd flavours, slinky dry chalky tannins. Finishes long and sweet. (83-85 points)
2011 Ch Cos d'Estournel Blanc
Lemon curd/ verbena/ pear drop aromas. Beautifully concentrated wine with juicy peat drop/ grapefruit flavours, lift chalky texture and piercing acidity. Very fresh and minerally. (91-93 points)
2011 'G' de Chateau Guiraud
Intense grapefruit/ lemon tonic aromas. Quinine/ lemon flavours and dry chalky textures. Finishes crisp bitter and sharp.(86-88 points)
2001 Pavillon Blanc
Pale colour. Lemon curd/camomile/ verbena/ pear drop aromas and flavours, sweet fruit grapefruit/ peat flavours/ verbena. Chalky texture. Great length.
(91-93 points)
S du Suduiraut
Medium deep colour. Lemon curd/ peardrop aromas and flavours, fine mineral cutting acidity, pearskin/ grapefruit flavours. (85-87 points)
|
|
|
 |
Caillard Archive
2012 En Primeur: Left Bank Tasting Notes
Exaggerated Classicism: 2012 Bordeaux Primeurs
Henschke Hill of Grace 50th Anniversary Tasting
Hill of Grace - 50th Anniversary
Henschke Hill of Grace 50th Anniversary
Classification V - Introduction
To lose one’s wine once is unfortunate..
The Story of Penfolds Grange
Jasper Hill a Retrospective Tasting
TEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT PENFOLDS...
Where have all the great Hunter reds gone?
Chief Winemaker Peter Gago talks about Australian Wine & Penfolds
Bordeaux 2011 Left Bank- Tasting Notes
Bordeaux 2011 - Right Bank & Sauternes Tasting Notes
In the Tiger's Den - Bordeaux 2011
Semillon - Lovedale and Haut Brion Blanc
Provenance – The Phony War
2011 A review of Coonawarra
Penfolds Red Winemaking Overview 2011
Penfolds 2006 Grange Release
A history and description of famous 20th Century Australian wines -1973 Wolf Blass Bilyara Black
Classification V - Questions & Answers
A history and description of famous 20th Century Australian wines - 1973 Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvigno
Region Focus - Margaret River
A history and description of famous 20th Century Australian wines- Penfolds Grange 1971
Bordeaux 2009 Top Picks from the Great Solar Vintage
Overview of the Langtons Penfold's Sale
Languid Lunches and Goose-Fat
Bordeaux 2009 The Great Solar Vintage
Entering the Realm of First Growths
The Annual Croissant Fight
A history and description of famous 20th Century Australian wines
Region Focus - Eden Valley
A history and description of famous 20th Century Australian wines
Region Focus - Hunter Valley
GiantSteps - Winery Spotlight
McLaren Vale - Region Spotlight
Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz
2009 Penfolds Auction Overview
REGION FOCUS - YARRA VALLEY
Wine Australia - An Historical Tasting
Classic Wines of Australia Part One
Forecasting the wine auction market 2009 (through a cumulonimbus).
Classification Predictions
10 Things About Langton's
Penfolds Wine Making Philosophy
Dhillon and Walter the faces of biodynamic Pinot Noir
Master of Wine Charity Auction
Penfolds and the Australian Secondary Wine Market
|