VertdeVin

Pessac-léognan

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as well as hints of pepper, saffron, nutmeg and discreet hints of iodized. The palate is nicely structured, balanced, racy and offers minerality, delicacy, a nice definition, a nice tartness, a restrained power, excellence, a nice freshness as well as a nice tangy frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy / juicy raspberry, pulpy / juicy cassis and fleshy cherry associated with violet, lily, nutmeg, hints of toasted almond, cardamom, fine hints of chocolate as well as discreet hints of saffron, cloves and racy / saline minerality. Presence of crushed / powdery almond at the end of the mouth / persistenc­e. A small chewiness. Presence of fine crushed almond and crushed hazelnut on the finish / persistenc­e.

Score : 17.5+/20 (95-96/100)

Château Haut-brion 2011

Pessac-léognan, 1er Grand Cru Classé

The nose is fruity, fresh, elegant, full and offers complexity as well as a nice touch of fresh flowers. The wine wins if it is decanted. It reveals notes of pulpy / fresh cassis and redcurrant­s associated with strawberry, bright raspberry, fresh flowers with hints of fresh blond tobacco, racy minerality, with very discreet hints of pink pepper as well as a subtle hint of bergamot, well presence of iodine and vanilla (in the background). The palate is fruity, elegant, racy, all in delicacy and offers a nice juiciness / tangy fruit, a nice freshness, salinity / sapidity, precision, a certain purity, a nice tangy frame, harmony, a good guideline as well as a nice finesse of the grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy / juicy raspberry, redcurrant­s and blackberry associated with violet, fresh / juicy cassis, hints of juicy purple plum as well as hints of carameliza­tion, blond tobacco with fine toasted hazelnut, crushed almond and a hint of pepper. Tannins are elegant and smooth. Good length. A nice chew on the finish / persistenc­e. A more classic and “straight” wine than the 2019 vintage tasted at the same time.

Score : 18.5+/20 (97-98/100)

Château Les Carmes Haut-brion 2011

Pessac-léognan

The nose is fruity and offers freshness as well as a certain creaminess. It reveals notes of wild strawberri­es, small juicy wild red fruits and more slightly fresh blackberry associated with zan, sweet spices as well as a fine hint of clove and discreet hint of vanilla (in the background). Presence of an impercepti­ble truffle tip in the background after getting aired in the glass. The palate is fruity and offers a nice freshness, minerality, salinity / an iodine side (in the background), a tangy frame, energy, a certain radiance as well as a fine tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy / luscious raspberry, small red fruits and more slightly fresh flowers associated with juicy / fresh cassis, hints of zan, bergamot, racy minerality as well as fine hints of mocha, cardamom and a hint of toast (in the background). Tannins are precise and relatively suave. Good length. Presence of a very discreet chew on the finish. Presence of an impercepti­ble hint of undergrowt­h / truffle in the background.

Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)

Château Malartic Lagravière 2011

Pessac-léognan, Grand Cru Classé

The nose is fruity and offers juiciness as well as a finely tight grain. It reveals notes of pulpy / juicy cassis, small fairly ripe red berries and violet associated with a touch of zan, bergamot as well as discreet hints of racy minerality and a discreet hint of pepper. The palate is nicely fresh, fruity, balanced, finely tight and offers a certain radiance, fat, roundness, a certain darkness as well as delicacy. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy / pulpy blackberry, bright cassis and violet associated with juicy red currants, fresh / crunchy strawberri­es, hints of liquorice, coffee as well as discrete hints of black pepper and bergamot. Tannins are precise and well developed. A discreet stretched side at the end of the mouth. Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)

Château Couhins-lurton 2011

Pessac-léognan

The nose is fruity, elegant and offers a certain freshness as well as a stretched side. The wine will have great potential if decanted. It reveals notes of black blackberry, fairly ripe raspberry and more lightly wild strawberry associated with dried violet, nutmeg, saline gravels / racy minerality as well as fine hints of camphor, pepper and clove. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers juiciness, some bright fruit, roundness, fat, some gourmandiz­e, a little tension, a little freshness, a little stretched side as well as a certain blackness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of small black fruits, black blackberry and wild raspberry associated with fairly ripe small red fruits, hints of cloves, nutmeg as well as a subtle toasted hint and pepper. Presence of a very discreet hint of cocoa on the finish / persistenc­e. Score : 15.5/20 (90-91/100)

Château Bouscaut 2011

Pessac-léognan, Grand Cru Classé

The nose is aromatic, finely tight and offers a small density, a certain concentrat­ion as well as a little darkness. It reveals notes of small black fruits, dried blackberry and more slightly camphor associated dried violet, cherry as well as hints of undergrowt­h, truffle as well as a subtle hint of tea and spices. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers freshness, juiciness, suavity, minerality, an acidic frame, roundness as well as silky. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy / pulpy blackberry, juicy / pulpy raspberry and more slightly plum associated with touches of small black berries, hints of camphor, truffle, undergrowt­h as well as a subtle hint of toasted hazelnut, incense and dark chocolate. Tannins are well developed. Good length.

Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)

2011 VINTAGE - WHITE WINES

Château Bouscaut 2011

Pessac-léognan, Grand Cru Classé

The nose is fruity, fresh and elegant. It reveals notes of small yellow fruits / pulpy / fleshy plum, kumquat and more slightly of quince associated with nectarine, vanilla as well as fine hints of pineapple and toasted hazelnut. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers freshness, minerality, a tangy frame, tension, a fine straightne­ss, roundness, a little unctuosity, a certain dynamism, a pretty tangy frame as well as a fine varietal side that brings energy. On the palate this wine expresses notes of quince, pulpy / fleshy plum and more slightly fleshy yellow nectarine associated with pear, vanilla, fine hints of racy minerality as well as discreet hints of beeswax and toast. Good length. Presence of a discreet almost tannic hint as well as an impercepti­ble hint of pastry on the finish / persistenc­e. Score : 16/20 (92/100)

Château Couhins 2011

Pessac-léognan Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The nose is fresh, mineral and it offers a little horizontal side. There are notes of lemon, zest and small fresh fruits associated with a touch of fresh kumquat, fine hints of passion fruit, pineapple as well as a discreet hint of saline, almond and a very discreet hint of verbana (in the background). The palate is balanced and offers a nice juicy / ripe / pulpy fruit, fat, gourmandiz­e as well as a tangy frame. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of bright green apple, juicy vine peach and slight hint of lemon associated with touches of tangy / ripe small yellow fruits as well as fine hints of quenette, carambola, subtle hints of iodine as well as a subtle hint of almond and nutmeg.

Score : 15.5+/20 (90-91/100)

Château La Mission Haut-brion 2011

Pessac-léognan

The nose is elegant, delicate and discreetly restrained. The wine wins if it is decanted. It reveals notes of juicy / fresh kumquat, juicy / fresh white peach and more slightly mandarin associated with quenette, lychee as well as fine hints of sweet lemon, flowers, acacia and a very discreet touch of sweet spices. The palate is fruity, balanced, discreetly tight, fresh, elegant and offers juiciness, a mineral frame, elegance, gourmandiz­e as well as a nice airy side. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy / juicy apple, bright vine peach and more slightly of juicy kumquat associated with quenette, apricot as well as fine hints of passion fruit, petals of sweet pink rose, with racy /saline minerality and almond. Presence of a discreet chewiness on the finish / persistenc­e. Presence of an impercepti­ble hint of vanilla on the aftertaste. A very nice wine, a beautiful bottle!

Score : 18.5/20 (97/100)

Château Haut-brion 2011

Pessac-léognan

The nose is elegant, racy and offers power in delicacy, harmony as well as depth. There are notes of ripe yellow peach, juicy / fresh plum and slightly citrus (kumquat, lemon) associated with small bright yellow berries, hints of yellow flowers as well as discreet hints of almond, sweet spices and an impercepti­ble nutty hint. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers juiciness, a nice tangy frame, elegance, a nice roundness, a little spherical side, a nice finesse / definition, fat, a little unctuosity as well as gourmandiz­e. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy / tangy plum, pulpy / juicy peach and more slightly of kumquat associated with lemon, small tangy yellow fruits, with fine hints of exotic fruits, brown butter, toasted almond as well as a subtle hint of beeswax and a very discreet hint of saffron (floral side) in the background. Good length and good persistenc­e. A subtle salinity and a little chew on the finish / persistenc­e. A wine that evolves a lot in the glass throughout the tasting.

Score : 19.5/20 (99/100)

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