1 | Wine | Saint Emilion, $20 to $50 | Page 4

"A good value among over-achieving St.-Emilion estates is La Fleur Cardinale’s 2009. Composed of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, some of the abrasive tannins noticeable early on in this big wine (14.5% alcohol) are now sweeter and better integrated. Made from tiny yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare, this is a concentrated, rich effort revealing lots of black cherry and black currant fruit as well as a fragrant, firm, full-bodied personality. It should be at its best between 2016 and 2030." -Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"One of my favorite St.-Emilion boutique vineyards, La Clotte’s 10 acres of vines average 40-years of age. The 2009 (80% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc) offers a beautifully sweet, ripe, opulent texture (typical for this estate) in addition to a dense purple color, and abundant notes of licorice, smoked herbs, meat, and black fruits. Full-bodied and viscous with great precision and fresh acids (the paradoxical characteristic of this vintage), it combines enormous fruit and extraction with off the chart tannins as well as remarkable finesse and elegance. This 2009 should drink well for two decades or more." 92-94 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Two powerful efforts from proprietor Silvio Denz, the 2009 Faugeres may turn out to be one of the two or three finest examples of this cuvee. Fresh, with bright acids, a dense opaque purple color, and notes of graphite, blueberries, black currants, smoke, and charcoal, this full-bodied, intense, textured, rich 2009 is a blend of 85% Merlot and the rest primarily Cabernet Franc with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. Amazingly, it achieved 14.5% natural alcohol, and should drink well for 15+ years." 90-93 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Shows dried blackberry on the nose, with hints of mineral and fresh herbs. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and silky, chewy tannins. Cool, minerally and fruity, with excellent length. Very well made for the vintage."

"A good value among over-achieving St.-Emilion estates is La Fleur Cardinale’s 2009. Composed of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, some of the abrasive tannins noticeable early on in this big wine (14.5% alcohol) are now sweeter and better integrated. Made from tiny yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare, this is a concentrated, rich effort revealing lots of black cherry and black currant fruit as well as a fragrant, firm, full-bodied personality. It should be at its best between 2016 and 2030."-Robert Parker

"This highly-focused wine exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue in addition to a beautiful bouquet of black raspberries, blueberries, camphor, spring flowers, and spice box. With superb concentration, a hint of minerals, and a lovely textured mouthfeel." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Another top-notch success, the 2011 (70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) hit 15% natural alcohol. Yields were a low 30 hectoliters per hectare, and the harvest occurred quite late. The result is a dense purple-colored wine with a stunning bouquet of blackberry jam, graphite, charcoal and blueberries. With superb density and purity as well as a multidimensional mouthfeel, this intense St.-Emilion is a sleeper of the vintage, although consumers are catching on to the exquisite quality emerging from La Fleur Cardinale. The 2011 should drink well for 15+ years." -Robert Parker

"Always among the sexiest, most opulent and flamboyant wines of the vintage, Croix de Labrie’s 2011 offers stunningly ripe Merlot fruit in its luxurious, easily understood, irresistible personality. Lots of ripe fruit as well as a disarming style make for a wine to drink during its first decade of life. It’s a winner!" -Robert Parker