Château Desmirail, Margaux 3CCDecanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts) Individual judges’ scores: Stephen Brook 17.75 Michael Schuster 17 Steven Spurrier 18 Sleek, svelte and enlivened by fine acidity, while the tannins give a very grainy texture. Lifted fruit on the palate with elegance, smoothness and persistence. A beautiful Margaux with finesse and hidden power. Will need a long time to mellow. Drink 2016–2034+ Alc 13.5%Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Pauillac 5CC
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)
Individual judges’ scores: Stephen Brook 17 Michael Schuster 17 Steven Spurrier 17
Fine, cedary, mineral nose. Elegantly balanced, long and firm-textured and lively. Fresh acidity cuts the fruit and refreshes the palate. An elegant Pauillac, understated but balanced.
Price: £31–£60 Widely available at leading Bordeaux merchants
Drink 2015–2034+
Alc 13.5%
Read more at http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34471/slideshow/13/m-doc-cru-class-s-2010-panel-tasting#WJMecfEpxA88uedx.99
Château Larrivaux 2010 Haut Medoc
86-87 JCL
This is an approachable, medium weight red wine with chewy tannins. There is sufficient juicy fruit to support the ripe, generous, sturdy tannins. While good on its own, this wine calls out for food. Moderately length. Jeannie Cho Lee MW asianpalate.com
Château Lanessan 2010 Haut Medoc
Vintage: 2010
Varietal: Red Bordeaux
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Varietal: Red Bordeaux
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
2010 saw extremely high quality viticulture in many parts of the world, with an exceptionally long and hot summer providing huge benefits for wineries across many countries, especially in the southern hemisphere. The northern hemisphere and Europe saw something of a cooler summer and flowering period, but this was by no means as disastrous as it could have been. France, especially, had a fantastic year in 2010, with the world renowned Burgundy region proclaiming that their white wines of this year are ones to look out for, and despite yields being relatively small across much of the country, the quality was exceptionally high. Spain, too, received some cooler weather, but Rioja and the rest of central Spain are hailing 2010 as a very good year indeed, again as a result of smaller, finer yields. California also received similar climatic conditions, but again, wineries are highly positive about the overall effect this had on their produce, as the slightly challenging conditions resulted in smaller yields of much elegance and distinction. 2010 was really Australia's year, and in South Australia and across the Mornington Peninsula, Chardonnay vines produced good yields with a lower sugar level than in previous years. As such, the majority of South Australian white wines from 2010 are superb, and packed full of character. Shiraz also had a great year, and most Australian wineries have been proclaiming 2010 one of the great vintages. Both the Argentinian and Chilean wine industries benefited from some ideal climatic conditions this year, and are reportedly ecstatically pleased with the fact that their 2010 wines ended up with lower alcohol levels, and were beautifully balanced wines packed full of flavor.
There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act – the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.
There are few wine regions in the world with a reputation as glowing and well established as that of the Bordeaux, in France. Situated mainly around the Dordogne and Gironde rivers, Bordeaux makes the most of its humid climate and rich, clay and gravel based soils to grow some of the finest examples of red and white grape varietals on earth. Wineries in this region have been in operation for hundreds of years, and have carefully developed the expertise required for the production of carefully balanced and utterly delicious blended red and white wines, alongside some exceptional single variety bottles. Many of the chateaux found in Bordeaux have become household names, due to their prestige and the excellence of their products, grown with love and dedication by heritage wineries in this beautiful and special region.
French winemakers are subjected to several laws and regulations regarding the wines they produce, and how they can be labeled and sold. Such procedures are designed to increase the overall quality of the country's produce, and also to ensure that wines made in each particular region or appellation are of a character and type which is representative of the area. Thankfully for consumers of wine world-wide, the French have a particularly high reputation to uphold, and seem to do so flawlessly. Every year, wineries from all over France produce millions upon millions of bottles of fine wine, making the most of their native grape varieties and the excellent terrain which covers most of the country. From the expensive and exquisite red wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, to the white wines and cremants of central France, the French are dedicated to providing the world with wines of the highest quality and most distinctive character.
Château Fontarney 2010 Margaux
Margaux wine region
Margaux: mansions and manicured vineyards
Margaux is an important appellation in the Haut-Medoc district of Bordeaux, south-western France. Located 15 miles (24km) north of the city of Bordeaux, the village of Margaux has a number of prestigious chateaux clustered around it. These include Chateau Margaux, famous for producing first growth red wine that is supple and fragrant.
The Margaux appellation is, geographically speaking, the largest in the Medoc. It covers the communes (parishes) of Margaux, Cantenac,Soussans, Arsac and Labarde, with specific plots of land permitted and prohibited within each of these. The appellation rules stipulate where, when and how wines must be made in order to earn the AOC Margaux title.
Land divisions are of vital importance in the Medoc, because of the value of the grapes that grow here. The location of a parish boundary or a small stream can make the difference for a winery between relative anonymity and long-lived global fame. In Saint-Julien, Saint-Estephe and Pauillac, the vineyards belonging to each chateau are clearly divided and consolidated in a single zone. In Margaux, this is not the case. Here, even vineyards belonging to the wealthier chateaux are dispersed and mixed in with those of their rivals. The result is that the effects of unique terroir are a little more widely distributed in Margaux – and thus diluted. Producers here create individuality through their own winemaking practices and choice of grape varieties, rather than relying on the qualities created by terroir.
Margaux is famous for producing well-rounded, gently perfumed wines, predominantly from Cabernet-Sauvignon. Their distinctive flavors and profile are often attributed to the local soils. In Margaux, the soils have a high gravel content (Pauillac and Saint-Estephe have slightly more clay), which leads to excellent drainage and a low level of nutrients. Vines grow well in poor, loose, free-draining soil; the poorer the soil, the deeper the vines must go to find water and nourishment. This makes them physically stronger and also allows them to reflect the specific characteristics of the deeper soils. The downside is that Margaux's wines can seem almost too light and delicate in cool vintages.
The grapes permitted for use here are Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot,Carmenere, Petit Verdot and Malbec. They must come from vineyards planted to densities of 6500 to 10,000 plants per hectare (2631 and 4048 per acre), with specified vine-management techniques.
Château Gaudin pauillac 2010
ll the characteristics of classic Pauillac, currants, lead pencil, some gravel, an enticingly tannic bite, elegance allied with power. 40 year old vines on average and only a touch of new oak so wood doesn't dominate the classic flavors found in this truly compelling, value-priced Bordeaux. In short, it's a wine that you would not quibble paying double for if it came from a 'name' Pauillac chateau.
Chateau Andron-Blanquet, Saint-Estephe 2010
89- 91 NM
Primeur sample at the Vintex tasting. This consistent Saint Estèphe Cru Bourgeois is slightly smudged on the nose but develops some attractive floral, violet notes with time: ripe and almost exotic. The palate is full-bodied with ripe, dense tannins, good acidity, nicely composure towards the delineated finish. Everything in its right place, once that nose clears up this will be a very commendable 2010 for mid-term aging. Tasted April 2011. Neal Martin erobertparker.com
86-88 JCL
A fairly simple St Estephe with firm tannins and blackberry fruit that is in balance with its tannic structure. Drink after a few years of bottle age when the tannins will have softened - it's not a wine for long aging. Jeannie Cho Lee MW asianpalate.com
La vigne est travaillée de façon traditionnelle (rendement moyen de 45hl/ha) et la vendange faite à la main. La vinification est conduite dans des cuves inox thermorégulées. L’élevage, de 13 mois en moyenne, s’effectue en barriques (dont un tiers neuves).
86-88 JCL
A fairly simple St Estephe with firm tannins and blackberry fruit that is in balance with its tannic structure. Drink after a few years of bottle age when the tannins will have softened - it's not a wine for long aging. Jeannie Cho Lee MW asianpalate.com
Chateau Grand Ormeau, Lalande-de-Pomerol 2010
La vigne est travaillée de façon traditionnelle (rendement moyen de 45hl/ha) et la vendange faite à la main. La vinification est conduite dans des cuves inox thermorégulées. L’élevage, de 13 mois en moyenne, s’effectue en barriques (dont un tiers neuves).
Le vin est de couleur intense. Le nez est puissant, marqué le plus souvent par les fruits noirs avec des notes qui peuvent être minérales, épicées ou légèrement boisées, montrant une agréable complexité. En bouche, on retrouve puissance et densité, avec une solide structure tannique, et en général une bonne longueur en bouche. Une garde de plusieurs années s’impose avec décantage lorsque le vin a moins d’une dizaine d’années. De qualité régulière, il se place souvent parmi les meilleurs crus de l’appellation.
La production annuelle est de 40 à 50 000 bouteilles. Il est principalement commercialisé en vente direct.
Alsof de hemel z’n zegen heeft gegeven. Een prachtige, stralende lentedag. Pedro Leite van Graham’s Port vertelt dat het op dit moment in Porto alleen maar regent, hij is blij in Nederland te zijn. Niet zomaar ergens, maar in de lommerrijke omgeving van Nijkerk waar op de Putterstraatweg de prachtige gerenoveerde panden van Huis de Salentein staan. Bij de entree staat een glaasje porttonic klaar en dat valt duidelijk in goede aarde. Aan het begin van de zaal staat strategisch opgesteld één van de paradepaardjes van Verbunt, champagne Pol Roger.
Sales-director Jurgen Honing begeleidt me naar de tasting zaal van de Graham’s Port proeverij. Pedro Leite wacht hier het gezelschap op. Hij weet in korte tijd het portlandschap duidelijk te maken. ‘De Britten hebben alle ingewikkelde portvoorschriften gemaakt, maar het zijn Portugezen die het moeten uitvoeren. En die houden niet van regels met als gevolg dat er nogal wat uitzonderingen op de regels zijn’. Als voorbeeld geeft hij de Reserve aan die zowel in ruby als tawny voorkomt, maar niet altijd als zodanig is te herkennen. Het belangrijkste verschil bestaat tussen ruby – lagering in enorme houten vaten tot wel 80.000 liter – en tawny, rijpen in pipes van 500 liter. Binnen deze twee categorieën heb je dan subcategorieën. Binnen ruby de reserve – jonger dan de reserve bij tawny -, de LBV, Crusted en Vintage. Bij tawny bestaat er ook een reserve – vaak ouder dan die van ruby – de tawny met leeftijdsaanduiding 10/20/30 of 40 jaar oud en Colheita, een tawny van één oogstjaar.