1 | Wine | Saint Emilion, 91 to 95 | Page 6

"Exhibits an inky/ruby/purple color, a surprisingly soft, forward style for this hallowed terroir, full-bodied, and concentrated creme de cassis flavors intermixed with cherries, truffles, and subtle smoky wood notes. Beautifully-textured as well as expansive." 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."

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"The 2005 boasts a saturated purple color followed by notes of ripe blackberries, black currants, licorice, incense, chocolate, and espresso. Thick, highly-extracted flavors nearly obscure the elevated tannins. This big, serious, rich claret is meant to last for three decades or more." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"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

"The 2009 Fombrauge has the potential to be the finest wine ever made at this property. Michel Rolland is the consulting oenologist in the vineyard, which sits in the southern sector of St.-Emilion known as St.-Christophe des Bardes. It was picked very late in 2009, and the result is a powerhouse wine with an inky blue/purple color and the smell of pen ink, acacia flowers, blueberries, black raspberries and cassis. The wine hit 15% natural alcohol, which gives it lots of glycerin as well as a full-bodied intensity, while the low yields of 27 hectoliters per hectare have provided a striking level of concentration and length. This is very serious wine from an estate that is on the upswing. It should benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring and keep for two decades."

"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.

"I tasted this cuvee three times, and on each occasion it was totally exhilarating. Notes of white chocolate, creme de cassis, raspberry liqueur, truffles and lead pencil shavings emerge from this stunningly proportioned 2011. With massive fruit and richness, sweet tannin and adequate acidity, it is even more impressive than most vintages to date given the less than perfect growing conditions of 2011. Drink it over the next two decades."-Robert Parker

"A very ripe, vivid style, with warm linzer torte, cherry confiture and blackberry jam flavors laced with ample toast and roasted wood spice notes. This has heft, but also enough polish through the finish, thanks to well-embedded acidity."
-Wine Spectator, 89 to 92 pts.

"The 2011 Clos de Sarpe represents a return to form after a somewhat underachieving 2009. This small 12+ acre vineyard had remarkably low yields of 16 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend from the proprietor, Monsieur Beyney, was 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Along with La Fleur Morange, this is one of the most powerful wines of the vintage (15% natural alcohol). While most top vintages of Clos de Sarpe reveal excruciatingly high levels of tannin, the 2011’s tannin levels are very manageable and the tannin is remarkably sweet and well-integrated, giving this wine more charm and appeal at an early age than one normally sees. Nevertheless, it is a powerful, opaque purple-colored wine displaying notes of incense, blueberry and blackberry liqueur and spring flowers. Concentrated, full-bodied and multidimensional with lots of intensity as well as the aforementioned sweet tannins, it should drink well for at least two decades."-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