Saint EstèpheChâteau Calon Ségur
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot.
“Brambly black fruit nose with notes of plum and light mineral tones. Full-bodied, the palate expresses excellent intensity with loads of blackberry and blueberry fruit. With tangy acidity the fruit is very lively, balanced and rich. On the finish these vibrant fruits come together with well-rounded tannins that have good length. The finish is long with lots of purity.” Drink from 2022. Genesis score 17.5+.
“A higher alcohol content (13.8% versus 13.4% in 2009), but lower pH (3.7 versus 3.9 in 2009) has resulted in a concentrated, textured wine that requires a decade of cellaring. It will keep for 35-40 years thereafter. The 2010 harvest at Calon Segur occurred between September 25 and October 14, and the final blend was 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by notes of plums, kirsch, licorice, incense and herbs. Full-bodied, moderately tannic, pure, fresh and precise, this beauty will require lots of patience from prospective purchasers.” Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050. 92-94+ Robert Parker
“Primeur sample tasted at the Château, the Calon-Segur is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the Cabernet cropped between the 5th and 14th October. It has all those tertiary, smoky scents one associated with this Saint Estephe, quite rustic when compared to Montrose ’10 but full of character and freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with quite brusque tannins on the entry, a little aggressive when compared to some of the other primeur samples but this will be polished by the oak before bottling. There is a lot of matière: masculine, earthy, gentle but insistent grip that leads to finish as redoubtable as Mme Gasqueton herself, It is a little rough round the edges at this stage and I just feel that 100% new oak is maybe a little excessive? Nonetheless, it retains freshness and is very promising. Drink 2020- Tasted March 2011.” 91-93+ Neil Martin
“Extremely deep purple. Really racy and energetic on the nose (compared to Montrose..?) and with great saveur on the palate. The press wine is a little evident at the moment. Very racy and fine and terroir-driven. No added sweetness. Neat and long and very authentic. No extremes; no complexes; no obvious trying? Winemaker Vincent Millet worked at Ch Margaux eight years which gave him, he says, the technique of working the Cabernet Sauvignon to gentle effect. He felt he could add finesse to the tannins.” 18/20 Jancis Robinson
“A racy and refined red, with currants and hints of tobacco. Full and very silky. Delicate and elegant. Very long, with wonderful acidity. So friendly at this stage. A touch of fresh herbs. Like to see a little more concentration but outstanding.” 92-93 James Suckling
Château Cos d’Estournel
78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
“A very dense nose expressing pure mineral tones with brilliant blackberry fruit - notes of graphite give a dark, yet fresh, finish. Huge power on the palate with a juicy feel. The mixed sweet black fruits are in check with a luscious acidity that creates a vibrant feel. With massive structure and concentration the tannins are very well-moulded and carry on through a very lengthy finish.” Drink from 2030. Genesis score 18.5.
“Representing 55% of the production and cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare, Cos d’Estournel’s final blend in 2010 is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and the rest tiny portions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Compared to the massive 2009 (14.6% natural alcohol), the 2010 achieved slightly less alcohol, but also a lower pH, which accounts for its more tannic, backward, huge style. An inky/purple color is accompanied by aromas of damp earth, black currants, blackberries, licorice and charcoal. Firm, thick and super-concentrated, it is another outrageously impressive wine that will require 6-10 years of cellaring. It should keep for 30+ years. It is somewhat 2005-ish in its structure and palate impression.” 95-97 Robert Parker
“Tasted twice just to check, several days apart, the first under cloudy skies, the second under blue. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot cropped at 36hl/ha, delivering 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.5 (it was 3.68 for 2009), this has a very refined, focused bouquet with pure blackberry, blueberry, Dorset plum scented nose with wonderful tension and mineralité. I really like the precision on this 2010, far more than the exotic 2009. The palate is full-bodied with quite assertive dry tannins on the entry rendering this a slightly more masculine Cos d’Estournel that is quintessential Saint Estephe but nods southwards towards Pauillac. Touches of graphite and cedar interlace the pure blackberry and briary fruit with great tension towards the finish. Very fine sense of symmetry here with great length in the mouth. Back to the Cos d’Estournel I love.” Tasted March 2011.
96-98 Neil Martin
“This offers a terrific panoply of dark tea, cocoa, savory herb and red currant confiture aromas. Remarkably dense, with loads of strapping dark fruit and tar in reserve. There's massive structure, yet this is rounded and so, so long. A huge wine in the making. This is going to compete with the elite of the vintage. A truly superb effort. Contains 1 percent Petit Verdot, for first time since 2005.” Tasted non-blind. 96-99 James Molesworth
“A real tonic. Very, very deep blackish crimson. Real energy and vitality and racy stuff. Pure, refined perfect Cabernet – pretty rich and alcoholic underneath but much, much drier and more appetising than either the 2009 - or the average Napa Cabernet, for example. Minerals and fruit in a lovely tincture. Such great texture and nobility. Racy thoroughbred Great balance and potential. Purity and energy - but you’ll need to wait so long for it!” 18.5/20 Jancis Robinson
Pagodes de Cos
62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon
“Delicious and very polished on the nose - very sexy and hedonistic. Less showy on the palate than the ‘Cos’ but very pure too. There is verve and structure backed with excellent warmth from the tannins. The palate expresses lovely ripe cassis with hints of tobacco, cedar, overtones of mocha and chocolate that are so inviting. The finish is long and vibrant.” Drink from 2017. Genesis score 17.
“Possibly the finest Pagodes the estate has produced, as Jean-Guillaume Prats said, this 2010 is better than many vintages of Cos d’Estournel produced in the sixties and seventies. Forty-five percent of the production made it into this blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot that achieved 14.1% alcohol naturally. Plump and fat with an abundant concentration of black fruits as well as outstanding intensity, purity and texture, this beauty should drink well for 10-15 years.” 90-93 Robert Parker
Picked between 27th September and 10th October, the Pagodes is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot delivering 14.13% alcohol with a pH of 3.51. The Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the nose with blackberry, pencil shavings, a touch of plum and fine mineralité. The palate has great tension on the entry with a citric freshness, very good weight and yet it glides through to a harmonious finish. This is a lovely Pagodes. Drink 2012- Tasted March 2011. 91-93 Neil Martin
“This is sleek along the edges and dense in the middle, with ample crushed cherry, red currant and melted red licorice notes. A bright floral edge chimes in on the long finish. An impressive second wine. A little more Merlot than usual” (62 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 38 percent Merlot). 92-95 James Molesworth
“45% of production. Glistening crimson. Rich, somehow burnished fruit aromas. Very sweet and winning start and then pretty tight but in some years in the past this would have looked like a pretty good classed growth. Very slightly lean on the finish and a little tarry but well done and supple until the very end, which is a bit sudden.” 17/20 Jancis Robinson
“Love the nose to this wine, with spices and berries and currants. Full and very refined with super silky tannins and a long long finish. So refined. Second wine of Cos.” 92-93 James Suckling
Château Montrose
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.“Attractive nose that bursts out of the glass. Boysenberry and blackberry fruits, hints of violet, and some crushed rock-like minerality. This is a very polished wine with lots of power and concentration. Layers of black fruit on the palate are woven with a graphite edge, the fine tannins are integrated brilliantly too. Good use of oak, good structure and nice acidity on the finish.” Drink from 2025. Genesis score 18.5.
“Jean Delmas believes this is one of the all-time great wines of Montrose, comparable to the 2009, 1990, 1989, 1959, 1947, 1945 and 1929. The 2010 harvest took place between September 27 and October 15, and the final blend is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that achieved 13.75% natural alcohol, a fraction above the 2009's 13.7%. Somewhat reminiscent of the 1989, only even inkier and richer, the 2010 boasts a dense purple color along with glorious aromatics of blueberries, boysenberries, black currants and a crushed chalk-like minerality. The tannins are less intrusive than I would have suspected for such a young Montrose, but they are unquestionably ripe and well-integrated. Deep, full-bodied and massive, this beauty should be at its finest between 2018-2050.” 96-99+ Robert Parker
“Tasted at the Château, Montrose is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between from 27th September through to 15th October, cropped at 45hl/ha. It has 13.8% alcohol with a pH 3.65. The bouquet is tightly wound at first, pure blackberry, dark cherries, just a touch of coca with very good vigour. Very juicy, quite saturated with a very dense, impenetrable finish. Sinewy, structured and masculine, with a slight saline touch on the aftertaste. This is a great Montrose that will one day be fascinating to compare against the 2009.” Drink 2020-2050. Tasted March 2011. 96-98 Neil Martin
“Dense and dark, with a massive core of roasted fig, blackberry, espresso and bittersweet cocoa flavors followed by rapier tannins that drive through the finish. This has both richness and austerity. When it all comes together fully, this should be a superb wine.” 95-98 James Molesworth
“64% of total production and remarkable for the unusually high proportion of Merlot in the grand vin blend – because of the purchase of vineyard from Phelan Ségur last year (did this help the Phelan purchase of restaurant Taillevent in Paris?) Very deep crimson. Quite different from most of these northern Médoc wines – much rounder and less fresh (presumably because of the Merlot). Very different from classical austere Montroses but soft and charming. As a wine, it is extremely well made with just a little furriness on the finish. As a Montrose it’s a bit disconcerting but my mark ignores this. Rather unusual lack of freshness. Just a bit plodding, astringent and sweet on the end.” 17/20 Jancis Robinson
“This is really integrated and polished, with a full body and super layers of cashmere-like tannins. Goes on and on.”
95-96 James Suckling
Château Lafon Rochet
“Oak and blackberry aromas are well balanced on the nose togther with an added touch of minerality - the level of
concentration is very noticeable. Full-bodied, these black fruits are very forward on the palate with the oak expressing itself mid-way through. Somewhat sweet and chocolaty, the flavours are really quite bold. The tannins are warm and well-integrated with a finish that is fruit-driven and persistent. Big Wine.” Drink from 2021. Genesis score 16.5+.
“Proprietor Basile Tesseron may have produced his finest Lafon Rochet to date. The 2010's inky/blue/purple color is followed by a distinctive bouquet of spring flowers, blueberry pie, blackberry liqueur and crushed rocks. Although a classified growth, this wine is an undeniable sleeper of the vintage as its price remains reasonable. The wine possesses terrific structure, ripe tannins and a voluminous, broad, deep impression on the palate. The fruit intensity, purity and richness suggest 4-5 years of cellaring will be required and the wine will last for 20+ years.” 92-94 Robert Parker
“Tasted twice at the UGC and the Château, the Lafon-Rochet has a very lifted, pure bouquet with tarry blackberry, cassis and dark plum, all very well defined although needing time to coalesce. The palate has a tarry, graphite tinged entry, firm, slightly coarse tannins but very good definition on the fresh finish. Again, just a little disjointed at the moment, but the foundations are here for a great wine.” Tasted April 2011. 92-94 Neil Martin
“Just a little sweet and made up. Lots of flattering pleasure at first but rather awkward astringency on the finish."
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson
This has a nice winey core of dark plum and macerated black cherry fruit, followed by racy acidity and flashes of violet and graphite. Sneakily long.” 90-93 James Molesworth
Château Ormes de Pez
54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 35% new oak.
“Very dark purple. A sexy nose full with succulent dark fruits, lots of cassis, cream and blackcurrants. The palate is wonderfully pure with plenty of structure and weight. Full and velvety, there is a touch of spice alongside a persistent and fresh finish. Drink from 2020. “ Genesis score 16+.
“This dense purple-colored 2010 exhibits dark raspberry and blueberry fruit notes, less power and structure than its neighbor De Pez, but more finesse, elegance and fruit forwardness. This impressively endowed effort should drink nicely for 10-15 years.” 87-90 Robert Parker
“Tasted at Lynch-Bages and the UGC, the vineyard suffered some hail damage and some parcels lost as much as 30-40% of the crop and the yield which is 44hl/ha. The Les Ormes de Pez is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot raised in 45% new oak. It has a very sensual, very pure bouquet with dark cherries, boysenberry, wild hedgerow, mint and a touch of vanilla, much more feminine than the wines of the past. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins on the entry, very good ripeness here and the Cabernet Sauvignon is really in harmony with the ripe Merlot. Voluminous and silky smooth towards the finish, this is an outstanding Les Ormes de Pez.” Drink 2015- Tasted March 2011. 92-94 Neil Martin
“Really vibrant, with lovely notes of plum, violet and cherry preserves laced with chalky cut that stretches out the finish. Very, very solid.” 91-94 James Molesworth
“Healthy crimson. Ripe and robust. Big and bold without much care for seduction. Very solid but it will take a lot of time to settle down.” 17/20 Jancis Robinson
“A wine with lots of flesh and chewy tannins. Full and round, with a lovely texture and finish. Long. These guys are on a roll here. Cazes family of Lynch-Bages.” 92-93 James Suckling
Château de Pez
“An explosive nose that leaps out of the glass - ripe black fruits, pure and fresh. A juicy palate with very generous fruit and good mouth feel. The black fruits have excellent length and the finish is delicious.”
Drink from 2019. Genesis score 16.5+.
“Possibly the finest De Pez made in three decades or more, this sleeper of the vintage reveals a dense ruby/purple color as well as sweet cassis, pen ink and earthy notes in the background, medium to full body, fresh acidity and moderate tannin. It should be drinkable in 3-4 years and last for two decades.” 90-92 Robert Parker
“A blend of 52.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47.5% Merlot, the de Pez ’10 has 13.9% alcohol with a pH of 3.45. The Cabernet dominates the nose with cedar, earth and pencil shavings inflecting the broody black fruit, opening nicely with time in the glass but maintaining its conservative nature. The palate is very supple and rounded on the entry thanks to the Merlot, well balanced, supple, generous, layers of ripe blackberry and black plum inflected with cedar and a touch of dried herbs coming towards the gently gripping finish. A second sample at the UGC showed a little more length and even finer tannins.” Drink 2015- Tasted March 2011. 92-94 Neil Martin
“Dense, with kirsch and blackberry fruit and very racy, invigorating acidity. Hints of pastis and violet linger on the finish, while staying racy and taut.” 91-94 James Molesworth
“Dark crimson. Light but ripe nose. Dense and racy. Very dry finish. A certain transparency and lots of minerality. Not top rank but authentic St-Estèphe.” 17/20 Jancis Robinson
“Currants and blackberries, with licorice and flowers. Full and firm, with silky tannins and a pretty finish.”
90-91 James Suckling
