Saint JulienChâteau Branaire Ducru
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc 2.5% Petit Verdot.
“Elegant aromas of raspberry, boysenberry, graphite and a touch of cassis. The palate reveals ripe black fruits, concentrated and very mouth-filling. The taut tannins are well intergrated with the oak, and the rich black fruits provide structure and weight. Very broad and dense. Nice acidity and freshness on the finish.” Drink from 2020.
Genesis score 17.
“Proprietor Patrick Maroteaux has completed a decade of brilliant performances at this chateau across the Medoc’s Route de Vin from Beychevelle and a stone’s throw from Ducru Beaucaillou, St.-Pierre and Gloria. A fabulous effort, the 2010's notes of raspberry jam, black currants, crushed rocks and spring flowers are followed by a wine of impeccable purity, medium to full-bodied power, sweet tannin and stunning texture and length. With superb richness and beautiful overall equilibrium, it will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for 25 or more years.” 93-95 Robert Parker
“Tasted at the chateau and the UGC, the Branaire Ducru is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot including 10% of the vin de presse. It has 13.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.53. The nose is very primal compared to other samples with high-toned dark cherries, dark plum and cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tensile tannins, very good acidity and precision; not a wine of dimension like Ducru Beaucaillou but I like the subtle touch of spiciness interlacing the finish. Very fine.” Drink 2014- Tasted March 2011.
91-93 Neil Martin
“This has guts, offering dark fig, plum and cocoa notes carried by velvety but substantial tannins, with a very long, smoke- and plum sauce-filled finish that has well-embedded acidity.” 92-95 James Molesworth
“Very sweet, almost Marmite aromas. Great freshness but no great intensity on the palate. A little angular with some green notes on the finish but a competent wine. Relaxed and comfortable. Not forced.” 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson
“This is very clear and precise, with blackberry and licorice and hints of toasted oak. Full bodied, with super refined tannins and a pretty finish. It’s there. This is very classy and elegant. Tight and refined. Polished.”
93-94 James Suckling
Château Ducru Beaucaillou
90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. 95% new oak.
“Profound dark violet almost opaque colour. Glorious nose with aromas of dark black and red fruits and a little mint and spice (cinammon) to complement. The palate is very fleshy with loads of ripe cassis, an imposing structure, yet so round and lusicous. With plenty of purity the finish is impressively persistent. A fabulous Ducru.” Drink from 2025. Genesis score 18.5.
“Representing 45% of their total production, the 2010 Ducru will certainly compete with the efforts produced in 2009, 2008, and 2005. It hit 14% natural alcohol, compared to 13.5% in 2009 and 2008. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the wine has a surprisingly lower pH (3.62) than the 2009, or the 2005 for that matter. A truly remarkable wine, with a dense purple color and a beautiful nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers and crushed rock, this full-bodied, sensationally concentrated wine has massive richness, high but very sweet tannin, and stunning purity and depth. Proprietor Bruno Borie seems to have pulled out all the stops in turning out an absolutely compelling effort that is the essence of Ducru Beaucaillou. It should drink well for 30-40 years.” 96-98+ Robert Parker
“Cropped between 29th September until 14th October, a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the nose takes some coaxing from the glass. Very pure blackberry, cassis, a touch of mint and cedar, the new oak lending a touch of vanilla, this is very opulent, yet controlled bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated, velvety tannins, a real caressing mouthfeel, very good acidity to maintain freshness with an exceptionally focused, almost Pauillac-like finish. Very long in the mouth with a citric edge lingering long after the wine is ejected.” Tasted March 2011. 95-97 Neil Martin
“Same analysis as last year but very different from the 2009 – indeed very different from all recent vintages of Ducru – a return to something drier and more classical. It’s all about the quality of tannins, according to Bruno Borie. Very firm and solid and confident – all from terroir. You could stick a spoon up in it, but in a good way. Drier and more grown-up than in some previous years. Very long term. Perfect for those who seek something really serious.”
18/20 Jancis Robinson
“I can’t believe the precision and complexity in this wine. This is really amazing with minerals, berries, currants and blackberries. Full and extraordinary. It goes on and on and on. Tasted twice. Best ever from Ducru.”
99-100 James Suckling
Croix de Beaucaillou
85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot. 60% new oak.
“Dark violet colour. A very perfumed nose with aromas of ripe black cherries and a hint of mint. This has to be the best Croix de Beaucaillou we have tasted. Upfront and balanced, flavours of black cherry, boysenberry, liquorice and a touch ofspice coat the palate. It is very concentrated with great acidity that pulls these flavours together. Excellent cassis fruit on the finish.” Drink from 2018. Genesis score 16.5+.
“This represented 55% of the production and now, under Bruno Borie, comes from the same vineyard almost every year. (The vineyard is on the other side of the Route du Vin, separating Beaucaillou from estates such as St.-Pierre, Branaire-Ducru and Gloria.) Sweet mulberry and boysenberry fruit intermixed with licorice, forest floor and earth are followed by an opulently textured, fleshy wine that is dense and outstanding. I joked with Bruno Borie that the second wine is probably better than many of the Ducru Beaucaillous produced in the 1970s. It should drink well for 10-15 years.” 90-92 Robert Parker
“A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, destined to be aged in 60% new oak for 12 months, the Croix du Beaucaillou delivers 13.66% alcohol at a pH of 3.64. It has a very refined bouquet, great definition but tightly-wound at the moment. Hints of black cherries, blackberry and a touch of boysenberry. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, a lovely creamy texture with fine precision on the finish. Everything in its right place.” Tasted March 2011. 91-93 Neil Martin
“Since 2005 it is no longer a second wine but from a plot in the centre of the appellation with less estuarine influence. Very deep crimson. Deep crimson. Very rich and round. Suave and convincing. Lots of life and masses of fruit. €30-35 euros. A new label designed by a British designer will be launched at Annabels, London in May.” 17/20 Jancis Robinson
“What a beautiful nose with currants and spices and hints of filtered coffee. Full and silky with beautiful texture and length. Second wine.” 92-93 James Suckling
Château Gruaud Larose
“Very toasty on the nose but with plenty of fruit - almost Syrah-like with notes of leather and cassis. Lots of flesh on the palate and plenty of concentration too. The blackberry and raspberry flavours are to the fore with the oak notes more mid palate. This is old-fashioned Gruaud at its best; slightly chewy tannins and a long finish with gentle grip and great persistency.” Drink from 2025. Genesis score 17+.
“This gets my nod as the finest Gruaud Larose since the 2000 and 1990. The opaque purple-colored 2010 exhibits copious notes of Asian plum sauce, spice box, creme de cassis, loamy soil and a beefy/meaty character. It is full-bodied, dense and powerful, with stunning purity and no evidence of brett (a characteristic of the great Gruaud Larose wines made in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s). Given the 2010's tannin profile, it will require 5-8 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades thereafter.” 92-94 Robert Parker
“A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, delivering 14 percent alcohol, the Gruaud ’10 has a very intense nose with blackberry, cassis and a touch of oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with very svelte tannins on the entry, a sumptuous Gruaud Larose that belies that structured underneath seamless towards the finish. This is a Gruaud Larose that is full of character and should age beautifully over 20 years. This may merit a higher score after bottling, hence the plus sign.” Tasted April 2011. 92-94+ Neil Martin
“Offers a serious core of kirsch, blackberry and plum sauce notes, with lovely, velvety tannins taking over the pure, violet-tinged finish, which has length and grace. Shows more elegance than most of its peers in this vintage.”
93-96 James Molesworth
“Dark polished crimson. Sweet black-cherry aromas. Oddly tarted up for a St-Julien. Just lacks a bit of depth and savour but it is certainly flattering and has applied its make-up very carefully. Awkward amalgam of assorted elements.” 16/20 Jancis Robinson
“It like the finish on this wine with a blueberry, currant and citrus fruit character on the nose and palate. Full and chewy with ultra-fine tannins and a bright acidity.” 93-94 James Suckling
Château Langoa Barton
“Very perfumed nose with bright blackberry aromas and a good dose of oak. Full and ripe on the palate the tannins are obvious but gentle. Black cherry and blackberry flavours are further enhanced by refreshing acidity that gives structure and lasting flavour on the finish.” A very good wine. Drink from 2022. Genesis score17.
“Softer than I expected given the highly extracted, exceptionally tannic wines routinely produced by proprietor Anthony Barton, the oaky, powerfully concentrated, dense 2010 Langoa Barton possesses silky, well-integrated tannins. Nevertheless, the level of wood and the primary nature of the black currant and black cherry fruit suggest 7-8 years of cellaring will be essential. This is a 30-year wine.” 90-92 Robert Parker
“Tasted at the chateau and twice at the UGC, the Langoa Barton has a very ripe, well-defined bouquet with dark berried fruits and just a hint of oyster shell. The palate is silky smooth, cashmere tannins, very pure with dark cherries a touch of cassis, very refined and composed, slips down the throat beautifully. So pure and beguiling, there is a crystalline quality to this Langoa that is utterly compelling.” Drink 2018- Tasted April 2011. 92-94 Neil Martin
“Pure, with a gorgeous beam of dark cassis and violet racing along, while black tea, spice, tobacco and tar flitter in the background. The finish is superpolished and very, very long.” 92-95 James Molesworth
“Mid crimson. Notably ripe with black fruits on the nose. Then sinew and a cool finish but much more luscious than some St-Juliens. Not tarted up. A very good ambassador for the vintage’s characteristics. Dry finish. Very fine tannins. Succulent fruit on the nose. Lively and polished and with real vitality and pzazz. Good lift yet the solid framework of a fine St-Julien. Still very embryonic with lots of fine tannins.” 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
“What a depth of fruit here, with dark chocolate and currants and blackberries. Full and velvety. Wonderful texture. Like it. Better than 2009.” 93-94 James Suckling
Château Léoville Barton
“Fantastic nose of rich black and red fruits - very expressive. This is a juicy wine with lots of weight and impact in the mouth. The texture is almost velvety, black fruits envelope the mouth alongside tannins that are firm and mouth coating. Very concentrated and long on the finish. A brilliant Barton.” Drink from 2022. Genesis score 18.
“The 2010 Leoville Barton was almost impossible to evaluate because of its highly extracted, masculine, muscular style. However, it exhibits a dense purple color along with surprising amounts of oak, excruciatingly painful tannin levels, good acidity and a massive mouthfeel. One of the biggest, most backward wines of the vintage, forget it for a decade and drink it over the following 30+ years. Unfortunately, I have passed the age where it makes sense to buy a wine such as this.” 91-93+ Robert Parker
“Tasted at the chateau and twice at the UGC , the Leoville-Barton is a touch more timid than the Langoa at this stage, but it opens up to reveal blackberry, cassis, violets and a touch of cedar, quite Margaux-like in profile. The palate is full-bodied with exquisite purity, insistent grippy tannins, a seamless texture like the Langoa and harmonious towards the long, refined, velvety finish. Gorgeous from head to toe.” Drink 2020- Tasted April 2011. 96-98 Neil Martin
“Dark and winey, with a terrific core of plum and macerated black currant fruit woven with a note of black cherry reduction. Tarry but polished. Grippy but velvety.” 94-97 James Molesworth
“Still lots of blue in the colour here. Scented and mineral. Relatively lightweight. Bone dry. A bit austere at the moment. Makes me think that these 2010s need a fair amount of weight to work..? Quite long though. This wine may overtake Langoa in the long term but is certainly less expressive at this stage.” 17++/20 Jancis Robinson
“This is phenomenal, with dark fruits, with cassis and blackberries Full and super silky, with incredible fruit and ripe tannins. It goes on and on. So much depth of fruit here. Barton is on a roll again in this vintage.”
97-98 James Suckling
Château Léoville Las Cases
82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot.
“Staggeringly huge nose that jumps out of the glass with black cherry fruit and fine wood aromas. An extremely full-bodied style with so much purity and depth, but with wonderful velvety expressions too - this is just glorious in the mouth. A monumental wine with plenty of texture and loads of polish. 1st growth quality.” Drink from 2035.
Genesis score 19.
“As one would expect, this is a powerful, concentrated wine with 13.7% natural alcohol (compared to 2005's 13.2%). The pH is quite normal at 3.56, and its relatively high total acidity gives it a classic, fresh, yet backward style. Given how long vintages such as 1982, 1986, and I suspect, 2000 are taking to reach maturity, prospective purchasers of this wine should easily invest in a decade of cellaring, although I suspect it will be closer to 15 or more years before it reveals secondary nuances. A good 40- to 50-year wine, it is a dense purple, full-bodied style of Las Cases, with classic sweet kirsch, graphite and black currant fruit as well as hints of new saddle leather and subtle oak. Backward, layered and multi-dimensional, the wine is stunningly rich, but brooding. Forget it at least until 2020 or later.”
95-98 Robert Parker
“Cropped at 36.7hl/ha, the Leoville Las-Cases is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, offering 13.7% alcohol and a pH of 3.56. It will be raised in 75% new oak. The nose is very intense with notes of blackberry, cassis, tobacco and a touch of black truffle, all very well defined and perhaps less generous, but more cerebral than the 2009. The palate is full-bodied with exceptionally silky smooth tannins, wonderful harmony and sense of beguiling composure and completeness. The finish is tannic, driven by the ripe Cabernet Sauvignon. I expect this Las-Cases to close down for a few years...it will need time to mellow and reach its drinking plateau.” Drink 2025- Tasted March 2011. 96-98 Neil Martin
“This has almost searing acidity running through it, but it's ripe and mouthwatering, harnessing a massive core of black currant and red licorice notes. Supertight but very fine-grained, this gets tighter, but also longer, as it moves along. This could age in reverse for a while, before it starts to unwind. A brick house.” 95-98 James Molesworth
“Excellent deep crimson. Very introvert and very dry. Super-sweet start and initially seems much rounder and less obdurate than usual. Though those dry tannins certainly creep up on you at the end! Some silkiness and glorying in the special ripeness of the Cabernet in this wine. Very dry end. Not that long funnily enough. A certain transparency that is not usually there.” 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
“This is very silky, with a racy and fresh character of violets, currants and raspberries. Full with a super texture. Racy structure. Reminds me of the 1996. “ 95-96 James Suckling
Clos du Marquis
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc
“Quite opulent and very pure on the nose with ripe black fruits that lead into wonderful mineral overtones. Plenty of weight through the palate, well-integrated, with tannins that lean more towards the firm spectrum. Fine definition here and lots of length on the finish.” Drink from 2022. Genesis score 16.5+.
“Now essentially treated as a separate estate by Jean-Hubert Delon, and not as a second wine of Leoville Las Cases (whose second wine is now the newly introduced Le Petit Lion), Clos du Marquis has been a shrewd consumer’s purchase for almost two decades. Interestingly, the first vintage of Clos du Marquis was introduced in 1902! The 2010, which is an exceptional wine, was produced from the same parcel that always goes into this wine. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, it is a relatively big wine at 13.6% natural alcohol, with loads of black cherries, black currants and crushed rocks in a medium to full-bodied format. Layered, intense, high-class and complex, this wine should drink nicely for 15 or more years.” 91-93 Robert Parker
“Cropped at just 36.7hl/ha, the Clos du Marquis is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc raised in 37% new oak, offering 13.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.63. The nose is driven by the cedar-infused Cabernet, one of the most closed noses that I have encountered during primeur. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine, saturated tannins, a little fleshier that I was expecting given the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, but very harmonious on the finish that belies the structure underneath.” Drink 2016- Tasted March 2011. 92-94 Neil Martin
“A graceful wine, with beautiful violet and raspberry aromas and flavors. Very fresh and pure, with the floral edge lingering through the finish. Long and supple.”92-95 James Molesworth
“Rich, round and polished. Easy and fun and really attractive, even if not for the long term. Very fine tannins – the most glamorous wine from this stable.” 17/20 Jancis Robinson
“A little tough now but a solid core of currants and blueberries. Full body, with chewy tannins and a bright, crisp acidity on the finish.” 92-93 James Suckling
Château Léoville Poyferré
“Floral on the nose with notes of violet, cassis and wonderfully minerality. The palate towers with richness, very fruit driven expressing black plum and cherry fruits with hints of spice and light smoky undertones. It seems more feminine in style than the Barton which has much more up front oak. The tannins are round and finish long and persistent with a light wood edge.” Drink from 2025. Genesis score 17.5.
“One of the prodigious wines of the vintage, the Cuvelier family has produced an outstanding 2010 that must tip the scales at 14.5+% alcohol. It boasts an opaque purple color in addition to a sweet perfume of spring flowers, black raspberries, creme de cassis and a hint of spicy oak. This seamlessly constructed St.-Julien possesses massive concentration, moderately high tannins, abundant glycerin, an unctuous texture, remarkably fresh acids and wonderful precision. It will benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring and last 30-35 years.” 95-98 Robert Parker
“Tasted at the chateau and twice at the UGC, the Leoville Poyferre is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, a pH of 3.7 and alcohol at 14%. It has a spellbinding, extraordinarily pure bouquet that in an obtuse way reminds me of a Romanee St. Vivant. So much panache. The palate is medium-bodied with silky smooth tannins, one of the most sensual of all the 2010s that I have tasted. Seamless cashmere texture towards the finish with dark cherries, blueberry and crème de cassis all wrapped up in a veil of vanilla. Superb.” Drink 2015- Tasted April 2011. 93-95 Neil Martin
“This is big, with layers of succulent blackberry, cassis and linzer torte pushed by sweet spice and a long, graphite finish. Shows lots of smoky, fleshy power, but really sails along.” 92-95 James Molesworth
“Very concentrated and luscious looking. Exceptionally deep crimson. Very fine and sophisticated on the nose. Both concentration and lift but then perhaps just a bit too concentrated on the palate? Certainly very attention grabbing with lots of very ripe, very dry fruit. Lustrous. With some welcoming appeal. Pure, luscious Médoc Cabernet. Very long and vibrant.” 17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
“This is so velvety and beautiful with a juicy, orange peel, raspberries and currant character on the nose and the palate. Full with a long, long finish. Wonderful texture to this wine. Dense and yummy.” 93-94 James Suckling
Château Talbot
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. 50% new oak.
“Attractive aromas of blue fruits - blueberry and plum - combined with a touch of forest floor. Very pure and unforced, the palate is medium-bodied, slightly rustic, with blackberry flavours and a touch of pepper. Not big and extracted, but more balanced with supple cassis. The gentle concentration makes this very attractive.” Drink from 2018.
Genesis score 17.
“Abundant amounts of sweet, up-front fruit give this wine a precocious appeal compared to many of its brethren. It exhibits a dense plum/ruby/purple hue along with sweet boysenberry, black currant, cherry, smoke and licorice aromas and flavors. This deep, medium to full-bodied, classic Talbot should be approachable when released, and age effortlessly for 15 or more years.” 91-93 Robert Parker
“Tasted at the chateau and at the UGC, the Talbot was picked from 29th September with the young vines and around the 4th October for the older. This is the second vintage under Stephane Derenancourt. A blend 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2010 has a refined bouquet that for me, has better harmony and focus than the 2009 at this stage last year, a purity that perhaps has been missing from the estate in recent vintages. The palate is impressive: the Cabernet Sauvignon very pure and focused, a newfound sense of mineralité and elegance and precision towards the finish. One of the best Talbot produced in recent years...but there is still room to improve.” Drink 2014- Tasted April 2011. 90-92 Neil Martin
“Plump and rather open, with delicious plum, raspberry and black cherry fruit melded with spice and anise. This has a nice chocolaty finish, with a velvety feel.” 90-93 James Molesworth
“Dark crimson. Delightful, rather floral fragrance. Medium weight. Polished and fine. A really very winning wine with great balance even if it is not the most intense 2010. For relatively early drinking.” 17/20 Jancis Robinson
“This super focused and firm, with a bright and intense fruit. Full and super silky, with a long, long finish. Super straight and beautiful. This is better in 2010.” 92-93 James Suckling
