5 | Wine | Saint Emilion, $20 to $50, 86 to 90

"Sweet red and black currant fruit, spice box and herb aromas jump from the glass of this dark plum/garnet-hued 2008. As in most vintages, this is an equal part blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Soft and complex, it should be consumed over the next 5-6 years." -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.

"This is rock-solid, with cocoa, fig and blackberry notes rolled together, framed by dense but polished structure and all weaving nicely through the lightly grippy finish."

"Features a bright feel, with bergamot, raspberry and cherry pit notes. Slightly sinewy through the finish, but hints at fine length and good fruit in reserve."
Reviewed by: Wine Spectator - 88 to 91 pts

"Copious aromas of Christmas fruitcake, cedar wood, underbrush, incense, black currants and black cherries emerge from this sexy, medium-bodied, lush, fruit-forward St.-Emilion. It should be enormously appealing to consumers over the next 10-12 years." -Robert Parker

"The 2012 offers up a beautifully fragrant nose of mocha, coffee beans, black cherries, black currants, spring flowers and forest floor. The complex aromatics are followed by a medium to full-bodied St.-Emilion with beautiful density and purity as well as a touch of toasty oak. Barde-Haut has been an over-achiever since the Garcin-Leveque family acquired it. Bravo!"
Reviewed by: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 90 to 93 pts

"This has a bold, spicy lead, with flashes of anise, cocoa and cinnamon giving way to lightly mulled cherry, raspberry and plum fruit. Delivers a velvety feel on the finish, showing good cut."

"The basic cuvee of 2012 Faugeres is a stunner as well. Made primarily from Merlot blended with some Cabernet Franc, it exhibits plenty of black currant, black cherry, charcoal, graphite and fudge-like notes in addition to a medium to full-bodied, lush, round, generously styled personality. Drink it over the next 7-8 years." -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.

"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."

"The wine exhibits a distinctive peppery, slightly herbaceous, exotic nose that initially is difficult to fathom. This rich, medium-bodied 2011 continues with a certain herbaceous streak that runs through the flavors. Nevertheless, there is impressive ripeness, concentration and density, and the tannins are velvety and well-integrated. If the green, peppery character calms down somewhat, my score should climb into the low 90s. However, this is not one of the top Larcis Ducasses made in the last 7-8 years."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 89 to 93 pts.

"This is lovely, with floral notes at first, which are then followed by pure, precise blueberry, plum and blackberry fruit aromas and flavors. Features a silky texture, fine acidity and a buried mineral hint on the finish. Classy."