1 | Wine | Red Bordeaux Blend, $10 to $20, 86 or higher

"A major sleeper of the vintage, this blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is another “best ever” performance. Notes of tobacco leaf, hot rocks, sweet kirsch and black currants are impressively displayed in this medium to full-bodied, velvety textured, very seductive style of wine. Drink it over the next decade." -Robert Parker

"Supple and spicy, with a plush-textured, dark-hued, blackberry-rich mouthful lingering against creamy oak notes on the long and polished finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah."

"This has a nice warm feel, with plush roasted coffee bean, steeped plum and fig fruit flavors melding through the tobacco-filled finish."

"A beautiful sleeper of the vintage, this is possibly the best wine I-ve ever tasted from this over-achieving estate near St.-Christoly-de-Medoc. A blend of 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot, this wine normally sells for about $15 a bottle, making it an absolutely staggering value in the worldwide marketplace. The 2010 exhibits classic cedar wood, tobacco leaf, creme de cassis, licorice and some balsam wood notes in a strong, medium to full-bodied, layered style with good opulence, purity and overall harmony. A real beauty, it should be drunk over the next 4-5 years." -Robert Parker

"One of my favorite low level Bordeaux. This exceptionally well made wine displays a dense purple color in addition to abundant blackberry and blueberry fruit intertwined with notions of licorice and incense. Fleshy, full-bodied, and ripe, this delicious Bordeaux coats the palate. It should drink beautifully for 3-4 years." 88-90 pts.

"This juicy red has a nice compact feel to the core of red and black currant fruit, studded with anise and dark tobacco notes. An iron-tinged grip carries the finish."

"A terrific wine from proprietor Thierry Gaudrie, this wine, which has a similar blend to the La Vieille Cure (73% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon), has an inky purple color and a big, sweet kiss of blueberry liqueur intermixed with creme de cassis, camphor, licorice and a hint of graphite. Full-bodied, rich and unctuously textured, this is a seriously endowed Fronsac to drink over the next 15+ years." -Robert Parker

"Opaque purple-colored, this is a relatively structured, tightly knit wine that offers up notes of crushed rocks, black raspberries and hints of black currant and underbrush. It is structured, masculine and medium to full-bodied, with some moderate tannins that still need to be resolved."-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

"Sweet red and black currant fruit, spice box and herb aromas jump from the glass of this dark plum/garnet-hued 2008. As in most vintages, this is an equal part blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Soft and complex, it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years." -Robert Parker