772 | Wine | 91 or higher | Page 166

"Bright, dark ruby. Aromas of black cherry, licorice and minerals. A very rocky style in the mouth, with distinctly black flavors of dark berries, violet and minerals. Less pliant and deep than the Materium but in a more powerful style, finishing with serious tannic spine and lingering violet perfume. A rather cool site that's open to afternoon breezes from the west. Well worth following."-Stephen Tanzer

"Fresh and supple, offering juicy black cherry and tobacco in the flavor profile, with a hint of grapefruit. The medium-weight finish is framed with fine tannins."

"This dark red balances racy wild berry and cassis notes with full yet fine tannins, showing layers of toasty oak, smoke and baking spice. Polished, with a long, savory aftertaste of spice, cured olive and underbrush."

"The 2009 Clos de la Roche comes across as big, powerful and a touch heavy-handed. This shows tons of richness and depth but lacks the sheer excitement of the estate’s finest wines. The Clos de la Roche is made from purchased wine." 92-95 pts.

"Licorice, horehound, spruce, raspberry, and red currant inform an athletically lean, bright and penetratingly finishing Pinot that deserves some time before revisiting and will surely be worth following for at least a decade."

"The greatest Cantenac Brown I have ever tasted, the 2010 is one for the ages. Dense purple, with an extraordinary nose of sweet forest floor, blackberry jam, pen ink and graphite, this wine soars from the glass, giving it an aromatic dimension and intensity I have never seen from this estate. The tannins are present, as they are in most Cantenac Browns, but the wine’s sweetness, broad, skyscraper-like mouthfeel, dense, purple color and spectacular length (close to a minute) make this a giant classic and a fabulous sleeper of the vintage that still remains under-priced, considering how great its potential may be. This is a wine for those with cold cellars and youthful DNA. It is going to need at least a decade of cellaring and should last for 20-40 years. A classic!" -Robert Parker

"Firm and finely meshed, with hints of passion fruit and pineapple mixing with poached apple, almond pastry and fleur de sel. Mouthwatering and lightly smoky on the lingering, refined finish."

"Bright and creamy. ...this well-balanced Champagne offers flavors of white peach, pear, candied grapefruit zest and pastry, joined by a briny hint of oyster shell. The firm acidity presents itself as a lively zestiness that is very appealing."

"Well-balanced, exhibiting flavors of light toast, Gala apple, honey and ginger, with smoke and mineral notes underscoring hints of tropical pineapple and tangerine fruit. There's lovely texture, with a firm backbone of juicy acidity."