4 | Wine | Red Bordeaux Blend, 86 to 90, 2011

Limit 6 bottles per customer
"Exhibiting a deep ruby/purple color, lots of crushed rock, red and black currant, forest floor and underbrush characteristics, moderate tannin and medium body, it is built somewhat along the lines of the 1999 and 2001. It should be a 20- to 25-year wine, but it is not at the level of the 2008, 2009 and 2010. Fresh acids give the wine a somewhat more clipped feeling than most great Lafites have exhibited. Nevertheless, there is a lot of freshness and vibrancy to this vintage."-Robert Parker

"The 2011 Carruades de Lafite is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Soft berry fruit, underbrush, fresh herb and bay leaf characteristics as well as soft tannins, a velvety texture, and a medium-bodied, slightly superficial, but satisfying style suggest this 2011 should be consumed over the next 10-15 years."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 87 to 89 pts.

"This has a richness that stands out for 2011, delivering roasted fig and plum flavors, with good smoldering tobacco and black tea notes, before the tangy damson plum and iron elements more typical of the vintage finally start to emerge on the finish. Tasted non-blind."

"A stony, slightly austere style, showing iron and steeped red currant fruit, with bitter cherry notes running through the finish. There's a slightly rustic edge, but also solid concentration."

"A strong effort from this property situated between Pontet-Canet and Mouton Rothschild, d’Armailhac’s blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot was harvested between September 14-24. Its deep ruby color is accompanied by abundant aromas of black fruits, white chocolate, licorice and flowers. Medium-bodied, expressive, savory, pure and long with sweet tannins, it should drink well for 15+ years."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 90 to 92 pts.

"Bright and racy, with pronounced acidity giving nice cut to the red currant, plum and cherry notes. A singed wood hint slides in on the finish, adding length and definition. Not massive, but pure and precise."

"A successful effort in this vintage, Barde-Haut’s 2011 (90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) from proprietor Helene Garcin exhibits soft black currant and black cherry fruit intertwined with hints of spice box, earth, vanillin and blue fruits. Medium-bodied with surprising density for a 2011, soft tannins, adequate acidity and a fine finish, it should age effortlessly for 10-15 years."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 90 to 92 pts.

"This has solid flesh, with plum and cherry compote notes framed by a lightly taut plum skin edge. There's good spice through the finish. Well-extracted but not overdone."

"While made in a pretty, lighter style, the 2011 Haut-Bergey must take a back seat to the 2009 and 2010. Medium-bodied with notes of tobacco leaf, red and black currants, bay leaf and earth, it can be enjoyed over the next decade."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 87 to 89 pts.

"This has good depth and polish, with pure, ripe blackberry and black currant fruit laced with roasted tobacco leaf, bay and iron notes. Shows solid grip through the finish."

"Nice sappy feel, with juicy kirsch and plum flesh notes and lots of well-integrated spice on the finish. Lightens up a touch in the end, but stays focused."
-Wine Spectator, 88 to 91 pts.

"Made in a sexy, perfumed style, this 2011 seduces the taster with its wonderful aromatics of blue, red and black fruits, flowers, damp earth and forest floor. With excellent to outstanding concentration, fresh acidity and velvety tannins, this plush Margaux is atypically opulent/flamboyant for the vintage."-Robert Parker

"This 2011 boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as copious notes of creme de cassis, incense, lead pencil shavings and perhaps a hint of truffles. Medium to full-bodied with surprising density, impressive purity, decent acidity and serious length, this St.-Julien should easily last for two decades or more." -Robert Parker

"Tart acids give this dark ruby/purple-tinged wine a crunchy, fresh, lively feel on the palate. Composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot, this medium-bodied 2011 reveals loads of finesse and purity, but is slightly superficial compared to recent vintages such as 2009 and 2010. It should drink well for 10-15 years."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 89 to 91 pts.

"Shows high-toned cherry, tobacco leaf, grilled herb and lightly mulled spice notes. Very formed already, with a lingering dusty finish as the herb note peeks out more and more with air. Tasted non-blind."

"The powerful, concentrated 2011 Giscours is not terribly dissimilar from their 2005. Composed of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Merlot, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with scents of charcoal, underbrush, forest floor, licorice, black currants and a hint of wood smoke. This rich, medium to full-bodied, dense effort should be consumed over the next 10-15 years."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 88 to 90 pts.

"This has nice ripeness, with cassis and blackberry paste flavors allied to sweet tobacco and roasted spice. Has a plump, weighty feel, but good focus, too."