1 | Wine | Red Bordeaux Blend, 91 to 95 | Page 3

"Aromas of blackberries, unsmoked cigar tobacco and cedar/sagebrush jump from the glass of this dense purple-hued Pauillac. Full-bodied with more depth and richness than usual as well as moderate tannins, this potential sleeper of the vintage offers 15-20 years of aging potential. Moreover, it is modestly priced. Purchasers should give it 4-5 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the following two decades."-Robert Parker

"Much like the 2010, this blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc, with a little Malbec thrown in, exhibits a dark plum color and notes of raspberries, roasted herbs, incense, wet rocks and herbs. It is a medium-bodied, very evolved, elegant wine to drink over the next 8-9 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Juicy and nicely packed, with a succulent core of plum, blackberry and crushed black cherry framed by slightly austere charcoal and tobacco leaf notes. Racy acidity drives the finish and should knit the dark fruit and minerality together."

"A spectacular effort (what’s new?), this brilliant offering from proprietor Hubert de Bouard is another classic. A blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as a sumptuous bouquet of creosote, blueberry pie, espresso roast, blackberries, and graphite. Extremely full-bodied and stunningly rich with a multi-layered texture, sweet tannin, and a 45-second finish, this exceptional 2006 is one of the great wines of St.-Emilion." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A big-time sleeper of the vintage, this inky purple wine has a beautiful nose of creme de cassis, incense and acacia flowers. Some subtle barbecue smoke is also present in this full-bodied wine, which is the best of all the Jean Guyon estates in 2009. For the statisticians out there, it is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. Drink it over the next decade."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 90 pts.

"Offers a solid core of mineral, berry and light vanilla aromas and flavors. Full and racy, with a long finish. Well done."

"Juicy and very lively, with lots of briar, currant, cherry, toasty spice and anise notes all framed by bright floral and iron hints. The long finish has excellent cut and drive."

"a stunningly concentrated wine with notes of crushed rock, blue and dark red/black fruits, some camphor, incense and, for lack of a better description, a smell of acacia flowers. A sexy, opulent and full-bodied wine that seems to have more in common with the 2009s than most 2010s, this wine can be drunk out of the gate, but will certainly hit its stride in 3-4 years and last for up to 15." -Robert Parker

"Very pretty aromas of crushed fruit, with raspberry and blackberry character. Full-bodied, yet fine and silky, with a long, delicious finish. Very balanced red. I can't remember tasting a better Lynch-Moussas."

"A strong effort from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse, d’Issan’s 2009 was fashioned from minuscule yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, and its 13.7% natural alcohol set a record at this estate. Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, it exhibits a classic Margaux fragrance of acacia flowers/violets, blueberries, cassis, licorice and camphor. Opulent and full-bodied with silky tannins as well as a rich, dense style, it will be interesting to compare the 2009 with the brilliant 2000 and 2005 over the next two to three decades."-Robert Parker

"The dense purple-colored 2006 boasts an extraordinary perfume of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, burning embers, and a sensation that can only be described as like walking through a damp forest on a hot, humid day. Full-bodied, extraordinarily textured, and multidimensional with an amazingly long finish of nearly 60 seconds, this blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot from a 75-acre vineyard is a compelling wine that is one of the stars of the vintage." Reviewed by Robert Parker.