772 | Wine | 91 to 95, 2010 | Page 2

"Glass-staining purple. An expressive, heady bouquet gives out candied red fruits, potpourri and Asian spices, with a smoky nuance gaining power in the glass. Rich but lively, offering vibrant raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and notes of allspice and star anise. Sweet and silky on a finish that keeps on with impressive tenacity and spiciness. This wine always delivers outstanding value."

"Bright yellow. Pungent aromas of grapefruit, lemon zest, saffron and mint, with an underpinning of smoky minerals. Dusty citrus and apple flavors are complemented by a sexy floral quality and enlivened by zesty minerality. Finishes with excellent clarity and stony thrust, the floral note repeating. This taut, dry, deeply concentrated chardonnay should age gracefully."

"A big, mouth filling wine, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, shows the personality of the vintage in its intense fruit. There is plenty of underlying structure in this deep, resonant Cabernet Sauvignon. Mint, flowers and sweet red berries are some of the nuances that are woven into the finish. This is far from an easygoing Napa Cabernet. Although delicious today, it should drink well for a number of years. Another year or so in bottle should help the elements come together even more fully."

"Combines richness with elegance and finesse, offering intense, focused citrus-laced pear, honeysuckle and melon notes that expand on the lingering, flavorful finish."

"Probably La Tour Carnet’s best since their 2001, the 2010 La Tour Carnet exhibits wonderful ripeness, a dense ruby/purple color, notes of licorice, camphor and some toast as well as lots of black currant and blueberry fruit. It is medium to full-bodied, with attractive sweetness of tannin, good acidity, excellent delineation to its component parts, and a full-bodied, impressively long finish. This wine may close down somewhat, given the moderate tannins, but it seems relatively accessible despite being a 2010." -Robert Parker

"The American importer produces a slightly different blend called Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Girard, and the 2009 and 2010 are essentially identical in quality. The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Girard reveals slightly more meatiness and garrigue notes than the 2009, but the two wines are similar in every other aspect. Full-bodied, rich and pure, it, like the 2009, will evolve over the next 10-15 years." -Robert Parker

"Merlot displays classic tobacco leaf and smoky barbecue notes along with rich black currants and crushed rocks in a medium to full-bodied, seductive, attractively up-front style. Some Asian plum sauce is also noticeable in this complex, evolved and delicious wine, which can be drunk over the next 10-15 years. It is a sleeper of the vintage." -Robert Parker

"Vivid yellow. Lively, spice-accented aromas of tangerine, melon and white flowers, with toasty lees and sweet butter accents adding depth. Offers an array of citrus fruit and spice flavors, with suave honeysuckle and brioche nuances emerging with air. Lingers impressively on the finish, which shows nervy orange pith and ginger character."

"Merlot displays classic tobacco leaf and smoky barbecue notes along with rich black currants and crushed rocks in a medium to full-bodied, seductive, attractively up-front style. Some Asian plum sauce is also noticeable in this complex, evolved and delicious wine, which can be drunk over the next 10-15 years. It is a sleeper of the vintage." -Robert Parker

"This is really beautiful and balanced with refined tannins and a focused, beautiful ripe cherry and raspberry fruit. Long and supper silky. Better in 2014 but so delicious now. Best NC ever from Argiano"