1 | Wine | Pessac-leognan / Graves, 750 ml | Page 5

"Another brilliant effort from proprietress Helene Garcin, the opaque ruby/purple-colored, medium-bodied 2012 Haut-Bergey reveals lots of smoky barbecue, forest floor, black currant and damp earth notes in a surprisingly dense, concentrated, positive, complete style. An outstanding mid-palate and length make for an impressive showing."
-Reviewed by: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 90 to 93 pts

"Showy style, with lots of ganache and dark toast leading the way, backed by ample plum sauce, fig paste and currant confiture notes. Long, charcoal-framed finish has plenty of heft. Not shy in style, this has density and drive."

"Haut-Brion’s second wine, the 2012 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, is a delicious, seductive, fruity, lighter-styled effort exhibiting plenty of crushed rock, floral and mineral notes intermixed with red and black currants, camphor and forest floor. This pretty, medium-bodied wine can be drunk upon release or cellared for a decade."
Reviewed by: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 88 to 90 pts

"Offers plum, mixed berry and singed vanilla notes against a backdrop of anise and tar. Displays a sinewy edge on the finish, but the stuffing is there for development."

"The 2012 reveals plenty of Christmas fruitcake notes intermixed with a hint of roasted herbs, sweet, jammy black currant and black cherry fruit, and a touch of background oak in an exuberant, quasi-opulent style with outstanding intensity, richness and blossoming complexity. It is an impressive example of a Pessac-Leognan, one of the stronger appellation in the 2012 vintage."
Reviewed by: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 90 to 92 pts

"A bright tobacco leaf and savory note up front is followed by sleek black cherry, plum and blackberry fruit that has melded nicely. Long, alder-tinged finish has lovely minerality. Distinctive."

"Features a bright savory note, offering violet, plum and crushed cherry fruit. Presents a lightly stony finish, with the savory edge taking an encore. Shows the herbal side of Cabernet in this vintage."

"Pure, showing a supple texture, featuring damson plum, black cherry and tobacco leaf notes that hang elegantly through the finish. Very fresh, with buried acidity."

"A superb success for the vintage, the 2006 exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a poised, classic bouquet of sweet black cherries, graphite, camphor, truffles, and a subtle hint of oak. Medium-bodied with a stunningly layered texture, impressive purity, and beautiful balance, this cuvee is haute couture in a glass...Bravo!" Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Perhaps the strongest wine I have ever tasted from Malartic Lagravière, the 2005 has a dense ruby/purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of crème de cassis, graphite, and soil undertones. Medium-bodied., smoky, with classic scorched earth, Graves-like aromatics and flavors, this wine displays impeccable winemaking, with pure fruit, medium body, and gorgeously long, rich flavors and moderate levels of tannin." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Situated in a beautiful park behind Haut-Brion, this estate fashioned a deep ruby-colored 2005 boasting a brilliantly projected set of aromatics (kirsch, smoke, scorched earth, chocolate, leafy tobacco, and creosote). Its full body is somewhat unexpected given the aromatics’ delicacy and nuance. Zesty acidity, sweet tannin, and a light but substantial, classic, traditional style are found in this offering, which represents a synthesis in style between a grand cru Cote de Beaune Burgundy (such as a Corton) and a great Graves." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A fabulous example of this estate, the 2005 is an ethereal, delicate, finesse-styled offering with intensity as well as richness. It has all the concentration one could want, but it comes across as gorgeously elegant and sublime because of its combination of delicacy, power, and depth. Beautiful raspberry, black cherry, currant, graphite, and scorched earth notes are subtle, but provocative. In the mouth, there is good acidity, medium body, ripe tannin, and terrific length. This is a beauty of haute couture from Pessac-Leognan." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"An impressive effort, this 2011 exhibits a dense saturated ruby/purple color along with lots of graphite, black currant and camphor notes, medium to full body, and surprising depth, richness and length. Tannins are present, but they are relatively sweet and unobtrusive. A crisp character gives the wine vibrancy as well as impressive delineation. It should drink well for 15+ years."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 91 to 93 pts.

"Offers pure, driven plum, cassis and black cherry notes inlaid with graphite and roasted wood spice. Dense without being overextracted. Very sleek. Rock-solid."