Médoc area
lowness, a racy power, a fine airy side in the approach as well as a fine unctuosity and subtlety. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fresh/juicy boysenberry, purple plum and, more slightly, of crunchy blackcurrant combined with touches of racy minerality, toasted/crushed hazelnut, a subtle, almost bergamot-like, serenity (in the background) as well as discreet hints of vanilla and nutmeg. The tannins are smooth and elegant. Subtle hints of incense and flowers on the finish. Sapidity on the finish.
Score : 19+/20 (98-99/100)
Château d’issan 2011
Margaux 3ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is elegant, open and aromatic. There are hints of ripe blackcurrant, violet and slightly morello cherry combined with hints of wild strawberry, tea, sweet spices, a subtle hint of salt and an imperceptible hint of aromatic herbs. The palate is fresh and offers minerality, good definition, a certain delicacy, a fine blackness and a certain depth. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fairly ripe blackberry, fairly ripe wild strawberry and, more slightly, ripe black berries combined with hints of graphite, camphor, fine points of blond tobacco, violet, a subtle hint of camphor as well as discrete points of truffle and almost roasted herbs. The tannins are racy. Nice work on the bitter taste, especially on the finish. A subtle hint of aniseed and roasted coffee in the background.
Score : 16.25/20 (92-93/100)
Château Dauzac 2011
Margaux 3ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose offers elegance, some airiness in its power and gourmandise. We find notes of pulpy blackberry, wild strawberry and, more slightly, grey pepper combined with touches of lily, racy minerality as well as a fine hint of fresh nutmeg, spices and a discreet hint of sap/verbena (in the background). The palate is fruity, balanced and offers juiciness, suavity, airiness, lightness, good definition, fine tension and precision. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, crushed raspberry and, more slightly, pulpy cherry combined with fine touches of almond, Bourbon vanilla and a discreet hint of star anise. A very discreet salinity on the finish. A finish that offers a nice grain and that becomes slightly tighter. The tannins are racy.
Score : 16.25/20 (92-93/100)
Château du Tertre 2011
Margaux 5ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is fruity, racy and finely grained. There are notes of ripe blackcurrant, wild blackberry and, to a lesser extent, violet, combined with hints of wild strawberry, nutmeg, almond and a hint of undergrowth, camphor and liquorice. The palate is fruity, discreetly tight and offers a nice acidity, a tangy frame, a nice saline side, crunchiness and a fine contained side. Some juiciness on the cherry. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackberry, juicy/pulpy blackcurrant and, more slightly, fresh raspberry combined with hints of juicy wild red berries, hints of saltiness, Sichuan pepper, cardamom as well as fine undergrowth, graphite and a subtle hint of tea. The tannins are fine and supple. Good length. A fine animal/truffle touch in the background.
Score : 16.25+/20 (90-91/100)
AOC SAINT-JULIEN
Château Talbot 2011
Saint-julien 4ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is fruity, elegant, powdery, racy and offers good definition and power management. There are notes of wild blackcurrant, pulpy blackberry and slightly ripe cherry combined with hints of wild strawberry, wood, camphor, racy minerality, fine tobacco, spice and a subtle hint of chocolate and Sichuan pepper. The palate is fruity, fresh, elegant, nicely mineral, racy and offers tension, good definition and an acidic backbone. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fresh blueberry, fresh/pulpy blackcurrant and, more slightly, violet combined with hints of crushed wild raspberry, fairly ripe red berries as well as fine spice, racy minerality/fresh grapes, mocha, toastiness and a subtle hint of toasted almond. The tannins are fine and powdery. A discreet chest of fresh Morello cherry in the background. Sapidity and a fine iodine/sapid quality on the finish.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Château Beychevelle 2011
Saint-julien 4ème Grand Cru Classé
The nose is elegant and offers power in harmony, a fine powdery side, some airiness in its power as well as a fine grain. There are notes of crushed blackberry, fleshy/crushed strawberry and, more slightly, nutmeg, cinnamon, combined with