1 | Wine | Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, 86 or higher

"An unqualified sleeper of the vintage. ...this dark ruby/purple-tinged 2008 exhibits beautiful black raspberry and black cherry fruit backed up by sweet tannin as well as decent acidity. Soft, seductive, perfumed and seamlessly assembled, it should drink well for 4-5 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Showing a little more tannic than it was prior to bottling, this blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is one of the consistently well-made over-achievers in Bordeaux. There are some nice underbrush and loamy soil notes intermixed with red and black cherries as well as currants in this medium-bodied, elegant wine, but it still has some tannins to resolve."-Robert Parker

"The 2009 is possibly the best Cap de Faugeres yet made, a sleeper of the vintage, and a realistically priced one at that. A blend of 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 14% natural alcohol, the wine displays loads of charcoal, blackberry, espresso roast and white chocolate. It is full-bodied, unctuously textured, with very sweet tannin and stunning purity, texture and length. This is a super-duper wine, bottled unfined and unfiltered under the guidance of the consultant Michel Rolland. Drink it over the next 10+ years."-Robert Parker

"This expressive red delivers floral, vanilla, red berry and licorice aromas and flavors that are bright and focused. Offers firm tannins and fresh acidity. Vivid and long, in the modern style."

An intense wine from the Becot family (Michel Rolland is the consultant), this blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc was cropped at a very low 25.5. hectoliters per hectare. The wine has an opaque ruby/purple color and a big, projected nose of red and black fruits, toasty oak, graphite, and a hint of burning embers. A large-scaled wine at 14.5% alcohol, with the requisite glycerin and unctuous texture, this is a thick, juicy, very pure and impressively well-made wine from one of the most fashionable satellites of the Cotes de Bordeaux (Castillon), and thus kudos should go to proprietress Julliette Becot. Drink it over the next decade." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Another sleeper of the vintage, the opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2009 l’Estang exhibits lots of sweet black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of vanillin. Medium to full-bodied, with surprisingly pure, concentrated, lengthy flavors, it should drink well for 5-6 years."-Robert Parker

"Very lush and expressive, with caressing plum sauce, mulled blueberry and blackberry fruit and melted licorice and warm fruitcake flavors, all gliding together through the finish. Offers lovely range and a seductive mouthfeel."

"Plump and enticing, with a mouthwatering anise note that pulls you in quickly before delivering waves of blueberry, açaí berry and plum fruit, followed by bouncy spice and floral notes that add lift and length to the finish."

"The 2012 boasts a dense purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of camphor, black raspberries, kirsch, licorice and graphite. On the palate, some of the crushed chalk from the limestone soils makes an appearance. This gorgeously proportioned, full-bodied Cotes de Castillon is one of the two or three finest wines of the appellation as well as an outstanding sleeper of the vintage. It should drink well for 10+ years." -Robert Parker

"Full-bodied with beautiful black currant, licorice, lead pencil shavings and forest floor characteristics with a touch of smoky oak in the background, this opulent, round, complete wine should drink well for 7-8 years." -Robert Parker