An example which, at least at this stage, is a victim of its own success showing very, very young - tightly locked into dormancy, refusing to budge. But I know this wine and it will be superb given enough time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for a couple of hours, which I think really helped. Dark dense aromas of black cherry, scorched earthy, cedar. Deep rich fruit forward and very smooth mouthfeel. This was singing, excellent depth of fruit, well balanced by nice structure, everything in place and a pleasure to drink. On the young side and nearly hedonistic. Don't hesitate to open now if you like the fruit more upfront. Still needs time to develop more nuance, but this was rock solid yummy. Pelican Bay Beach Club dinner.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely, fresh, energetic. Exactly the kind of Bordeaux that I like.
It was a bit tight to start with, even though I had decanted it for an hour. But by the second hour the dry tannins had disappeared and the wine was quite delicious.
Long life ahead of it but totally smashing now. If you open it, give it 2-3 hours of decant time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
No sediment, a plume of perfume as it was poured into the decanter. Fairly dark red in color, limpid ruby at the edge of the glass. Nose is youthful, blueberries, violets, mint with a hint of wet earth. Initial impression on the tongue is an acid bite and fine, dry tannic backbone. Everything in balance but I suspect the fruit will need some air to reveal itself.
3h into the decant, things are opening up. Fine bead of acidity, minearality, and herbaceous notes of thyme and marjoram. A note of ... white flower? and a subtle undertone of nutmeg, orange and St Julien typicity. Great length. A truly enjoyable bottle with many year to go. If you do drink now, be sure to give it a lot of air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
(tasted blind) This stood out as the clear winner in a lineup of excellent wines.
Cassis, blackberry, and some higher toned red fruit notes perfectly balanced with warm gravel, tuscan herbs and pencil shavings. A beam of acidity gives the wine a liveliness and youthfulness even as the tertiary characters are starting to become more pronounced. It feels timeless. This is old world charm and elegance.
It definitely needed a little bit of time and air to open up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted blind. Now this is my kind of wine. Slight rum-soaked raisins, white flowers (believe it or not), pencil shaving, classic Bordeaux estuarial rusticity. On palate, MINERALS, really concentrated black and blue fruit -- perfectly ripe but not overripe. Tuscan herbs. Insane length and concentration. Soooo elegant. This wine shows the power and elegance of Bordeaux (correctly guessed it to be a L bank Bordeaux). Will cruise in the cellar -- but this is very much in its drinking window at the moment. Popped and poured at first, and then enjoyed slowly over the next few hours (improved with time in glass). Paired beautifully with braised lamb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Open about 3 hours before consuming. Fantastic nose - lead pencil, bell pepper, complex and long. Palate solid but lacks depth relative to nose…may improve with a bit of time
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good but might have been slightly heat damaged. Plums, lead, vanilla, mineral and dark chocolate. Medium acid and tannin. Leaking cork here and less structure and freshness than other bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Concentrated, deep, long, energetic, complex, full-bodied, long, and intense. The fruits are ripe, sweet and fleshly, long and intense with only a touch of oak waiting to resolve. The wine offers depth of flavor, freshness, and purity. This remains youthful and should age and develop for another 3-4 decades. The wine blends 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Merlot. It is hard to believe it has been a full decade since I last tasted this gem. Drink from 2025-2060.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Next to acumen peak. This one knocked it out of the park. Last couple of times I had BDX 2010 I grew ever more worried about the unyielding nature. Especially in comparison with 2009. In fact this vintage reminds me of 2005 in that respect
But now, finally, I can report a premier grand cru 2010 that is starting to flourish. Really lovely nose from PnP and only gets better. Lead pencil and truffles up first, later came white flowers and lastly cassis and cigars. This is becoming accessible.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Solid. Balance is great. Minty cassis and some marlboro lights. This is good, really impressive posture. Hardly any signs of maturing. Can probably surf the cellar for another few decades
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wowee! On a night that had an 09 chateau figeac, an 18 La Turque and some great volnays and gevrey chambertins this stood head and shoulders above. Depth of terroir with acidity and fruit in balance to create a sensation in the mouth. Decades left in the tank and plenty of upside but nonetheless an absolute privilege to enjoy at this stage.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another proof that the 2010s are just not ready yet. While 2009 is sexy and approachable , the best 2010 Bordeaux need a decade (or more) additional cellaring. This was a particularly apparent example of that. All the ingredients are there, just add time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Glanzende donkerpaarse kleur -In de neus nog verassend primaire aroma's van zwart fruit, pruimen, bosbessen, tabak, cacao en nog wat bloemtonen - In de mond, romig, krachtig en complex, weelderig rijp fruit, chocolade en truffel, goede structuur, gepolijste tannines en zuurtegraad uitstekend in balans - Ellenlange karamelachtige en zwarte kersen afdronk - Minstens twee uur verluchten !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cellared since arrival at 55 degrees. A clean cork with no tartrate. Excellent legs, of a deep reddish purple wine. A nose of violets, blueberries, and plums. The wine is very dense with flavors of ripe but not over ripe blue > red fruits, cocoa nibs, graphite, a burst of salinity and a glycerine like mouthfeel that is exceptional. This wine is dense and well structured with good balance, a lingering finish and smooth mouth gripping tannins. An exceptional saint-julien 96/100
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted in carafe for 3 hours at lunch. The wine’s character changed endlessly over the course of the meal. A brilliant bdx, surprisingly approachable and open after some aggressive aeration. On the nose, almost completely primary fruit aromas, with a perfect amount of vanilla and coffee, black pepper and gravel. On the palate, medium+ body, delicious salinity not unlike an isotonic beverage, with the most polished tannins I have encountered in any bdx. The finish, which is the best part of the wine, lasts for what seems like hours, with lingering notes of green apple and cocoa. This wine has decades of life ahead of it but already delivers immense drinking pleasure.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not yet ready. All coiled up in a tense rather stern tannic structure. But material is obviously there with high quality oak and perfect fruit. Wait 3years and see.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A memorable New Year's Eve dinner: From 75P, perfect cork, decanted 3 hours, which it needed, remained unchanged in the glass. Dark, brooding colour and viscous texture evident while swirling. The nose is gorgeous, if still quite closed: there’s a whole spice bazaar in there and some highly refined black truffle aromas which I initially thought were coming from the accompanying food. Big-bodied entry, weighty without being thick, with seriously grown-up St. Julien fruit to spare, purring tannic structure and an endless finish, just lacking the resonance which will surely come with age as this big wine loses some baby-fat. Surprisingly approachable already, this will continue to delight for decades to come. 94-95P
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Over the hill. Nose is enticing with ripe black fruits. Sour black fruit taste. One dimensional. Short, sharp finish. Not worth the dollars or your time. Very disappointing.
11x Bdx & Bdx Blends from around the World: Tasted double blind. This is the second time I crossed path with this beauty and it again delivered. Compared to the first bottle two years ago (rated 95 pts) this showed much more open with more fruit coming forward (maybe it’s the two years, maybe this one has been decanted, because the first one was not). There are many highlights: the complexity, a superb precision, a luxurious structure. The acidity was not where it should be but my guess is that this is more because the wine was served too warm than a specific problem of the vintage for Ducru. In a big 2010 horizontal this was one of the best right banks and clearly the best St. Julien. 95+ pts.
TN: Intense, dark brooding nose with ripe dark berries, herbs, a bit of sugar, some tobacco. Super luxurious and despite being a touch slutty, it‘s at the same time a bit backward. On the palate this so creamy and round, so luxurious. Lots of fine dark fruit, lots of sugary and caramel/nougat notes, some minerality, herbs. The precision is off the charts. Feels hyper luxurious with the finest tannins, and a medium+, perfectly integrated acidity, with a light feel despite the density and a long, sweet finish. Despite all the sweet fruit, this is still elegant and well balanced.
Group rank (9 ppl.): shared 5th out of 10 wines
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Weinkongress 2021 (Restaurant Sonne Leuggern): - tasted blind - Nose: Intense nose with youthful aromas of lots of dark, ripe fruit, plus a handful of caramel. There is something jelly-like about the wine on the nose. Mature notes and alternating back and forth of other fruit flavours are somewhat lacking. - Palate: Medium + intense with lots of ripe, dark fruit. Extremely round and polished tannins (medium), which come along very well integrated. Personally, I miss a bit of freshness and acidity (medium). In the finish, there is a lot of pressure. In any case, it still has a lot of ageing potential and should gain in complexity. - 91-93 points, including potential
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted double-blind as part of a random mixed Bordeaux-blend line-up. Incredibly dense, extracted fruit profile showing bramble berries and black currant. Sweet layers of caramel, burned sugar, fresh grass and a bit of hay. Heavy, high-octane palate with a lot of power, at this stage in fact too overpowering for my taste. The 2010 has definitely opened up compared to 18 months ago when this was still pretty closed, but that said I would keep cellaring for another 2-4 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really quite tight on PnP. Needs many hours to come alive. But this is just magnificent. Below the premiers this wine is probably my favorite left bank. The feral note is St Julien and you get the rest too - cedar, mint and cassis. Fantastic. And no hurry, by the way
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Needs more time but all the stuffing is there. Great perfume of really good Bordeaux. Cassis, tobacco, the smell of being tucked in the corner of a good, old French bistro. Smooth on the palate, like Silky Johnson walking across 110th St. Easy to drink, lovely to drink. Will finish bottle with some Juicy Lucy burgers and mushrooms on the grill. Pre-Thanksgiving with family.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 2010 isn’t quite ready to reveal its hand in full but all the requisite components for a truly great rendition of this truly great Château are there.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pnp over 4hrs Deep red black core min. orange rim Nose: secondary notes, some licorice blue fruit smoky wood Violet/lavender. Good acidity lift excellent balance very good length For me as fan of young wines this is at the beginning of its drinking window. High class bx
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
During a St.Julien dinner. Tasted side by side with the 2010 Leoville Poyferre. Both wines were stellar and showed why Left Bank 2010 is so attractive. While 2009 may be like 1982 2010 may be more like 1961. There is a serious masculinity in both wines but the tannins are powdery and fine, much more polished than 00/05 for example. The Poyferre was more sexy with lush fruit and oak and the Ducru denser with high precision. Both score in the 98-100 range in my book. Can be approached now but ideal drinking window is probably more like 2025-2045.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bordeaux 2010 - 10 Years On - 61 Reds: Bordeaux 2010 after 10 years. 61 reds, mostly big names, tasted blind. Average score 92.1 and lower than the more open and charming 2009 vintage last year (93.4). A few observations: A) It’s not yet the harmonious, complex, classic, clean vintage. Especially the masculine appellations of the left bank need at least 5 more years to just open up, potentially longer to soften. B) Left bank trumps right bank thanks to less detectable alcohol, cleaner lines and the two best wines of the vintage (Mouton, Margaux). C) Pomerol shines bright with many strong wines which can all mask the high alcohol levels (best AOC slightly ahead of Pauillac). D) As in 2009, there are several right banks already past peak, incl. big names (Duffau Lagarosse, Ausone). All in all, 2010 is a very good vintage with pockets of greatness but today 2009 shows more open and hence complex. More information, top and worst 10 list, appellation rankings from five participants in the story link.
TN: Without doubt the best St. Julien of 2010. Despite being young it showed very layered with lots of mineral notes, pine tree, coffee, luxurious fresh but sexy blue and black berries and even some hints of red berries. The intensity is very good, the precision is off the charts. Pleasant on the nose and palate. The structure is impeccable with lots of very fine tannins and a good freshness. Harmonious and with a good length. 95 today, but at the right time, this can easily reach the 97+ point category.
Decanting: Good from the go, but 4+ hours of decanting won‘t hurt.
Group average: 94.4 Group rank: number 17 out of 61 wines (shared with Fleur Petrus, D’Issan)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Grand Bordeaux 2010 ten years on tasting; 6/21/2020-6/22/2020 (Fribourg): Big Bordeaux 2010 2-day horizontal hosted by a private collector. My 3 main takeaways from the vintage were 1) more frequent perception of heat, 2) a slightly stronger left bank and a less consistent right bank, 3) while in general it is still too early to pop the 2010s, wine selection is key as some appear to be in decline already, especially on the right bank. The top wines were Mouton (99), Margaux (98) and VCC (98). The biggest positive surprise was Clos Manou (95). Biggest disappointment was Pape Clement (86). More details and complete tasting overview included in the tasting story.
Tasting note: A ripe red cherry fruit with fine roast notes, dried herbs and even some sweet candy notes as sides. This was pretty closed overall but added refined complexity almost immediately with just a bit of aeration. Cellar for another 3-5 years and I’m sure there is much to be gained.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well, the 2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou is certainly an impressive wine - voluminous nose of fresh mixed wild berries, petrichor, wildflowers, iodine-like mineral, pencil, and oak (not inappropriate for the age). A wonderful mix of intensity and elegance. Slightly warm finish, but that's 2010. This won't be really ready for prime time for another decade but should live a long life. Tough to put an exact number on this now, but will likely end up somewhere in the 95-97 range.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still very primary, not a big and bold wine like I would have expected from this vintage. Fresh, bright, young fruit, mineral, stone. I was anticipating more depth and length. Three days to finish this bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Super dark and glossy, no discolouration at all. A little creamy and oaky on the nose, oodles of dark fruit, spices, tobacco. Very concentrated on the palate, powerful tannins but equally abundant fruit, lots of depth, well integrated acidity. Really well balanced. Very long and lingering. Somewhat approachable, but too young really, this has a very long life ahead of it. 94-95+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tried a bit from an almost empty bottle brought at the bar. The wine is bright and fresh, a bit earthy, black fruit, mineral, spicy oak with some green (as in still young and not unripe) tannins. This still has a long way to go, medium body, medium to long finish, outstanding, so typical old school Bordeaux, needs food
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An excellent vintage, power and finesse at the same time. Just in the beginning of its drinking window - give it another 10 years if you have the patience.
Tasted in a trio with the 09 Montrose/Lynch Bages. For me this was the top wine. Discrete nose of blackberry, mint, spices, very aristocratic and precise. The palate is the real hit here. Dense but so delineated that if almost feels light at the same time. Super precise tannins. Grand in every way, preferred it even to the Montrose which was aromatically more interesting but the structure and freshness here is to die for. I felt this was so polished that you could try it now if you are curious, better after 2025 though for sure. 99-100
HDH Bordeaux Auction; 11/9/2018-11/10/2018 (Chicago, IL): In comparison to the svelte youth of the 2015, this is a little more curmudgeonly, showing much more oak on the nose and palate than its younger sibling. Fairly astringent on the back end with some roasted qualities that I'm not a fan of. Oak pokes out way too much on the palate. I'm picking up a little bit of coconut as well. Whether this will resolve with time, I have no idea, but it's a no-brainer that the 2015 is the better wine. Probably too young, but not a greatly enjoyable bottle now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
96+. This wine is incredibly good. One of my favorite young wines I’ve had recently. Needs to sit for a while but seems put together for future perfection!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
after 6 hour decant and about 1 hour in the glass, this wine really started showing its stuff. rich and fresh with perfectly balanced tannins to match the structured tannins. jumps out of the glass and fills your mouth with blueberry cobbler. itsa a party in your mouth as it begins to reveal coffee, herbs, chocolate, fig, plum, meat with a gorgeous, velvety texture. Best Ducru I have ever had and WOTN. Still young and will be better in 3-5 years when it could hit a 3 digit score. will last for 20-40 years? who knows, but will be fun to try over and over to see how it evolves.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Has that saline finish. Pleasant but compared to eg a Malartic Lagraviere from Graves less interesting to me. Long finish is nice though. Definitely a good wine, maybe a bit pricey for what it is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sooo... first taste I’m thinking what’s the fuss Tasted lovely but tannic classic obvious Cabernet only (92) Left him a couple of hours while I cooked our risotto Then, the blooming began..93/94 Wow, he opened up to be wide, clean, calm, powerful and juicy Ripe delicious perfectly balanced deep dark mysterious delicious st Julian with all the strides required And at the end I’m very very happy I have 5 more bottles which will bloom into a potpourri of ripe delicious Cabernet in all its mystery 96
Very dark Rubingranat, violet reflexes; Full-bodied black berry fruit, delicate orange peel, a hint of cassis, multi-faceted bouquet, typical of Ducru; Perfect silky tannins, finely rich acid curve, extra sweet, delicate caramel in the finish, has a great length, sticks for a very long time, wonderful extracts also in the finish.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine just leaves me speachless... Of course very young, but increadible balance already. All ingredients for perfection are there, so I would not be surprised I will rate it 100 in 10+ years. I am loocking forward to it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and tasted, then decanted for 2 hours, poured back into the bottle for 2.5 hours and served single blind at dinner against the 2009 & 2010 Montrose, 2009 & 2010 La Dame de Montrose, 2009 Ducru Beaucaillou, and the 2010 Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard.
When just opened, the initial sip had an intriguing nose of cedar and cigar, with a palate chock-full of red and black fruit, with less tannins than expected.
Tasted blind at dinner, the wine was more austere, with black fruit and oak initially, and then cigar, cherry, cassis, and chocolate coming out with air. The palate had a juicy quality from all the red and black fruit. I thought this was a 2009.
I really liked this wine, but it doesn't feel to me that it has the complexity at this juncture for a super high score. I found it in the same league as the 2009 & 2010 Montrose, and quite superior to the La Dame 2009 & 2010 as well as the 2009 Ducru Beaucaillou. However, if you threw this in with a bunch of top Napa wines, I don't think it would be easy to pick out or more complex just yet. 94+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I'm a Cali wine fan at heard. I love the big rich extracted Cabs, so this was a bit of a fun try for me. The nose was the sexiest aspect of this wine. I really couldn't think of the last time (perhaps Hundred Acre) that I had a nose that complex and outright sexy. Midpalate medium weight, finish was fairly quick and dry. Guessing the finish may develop over time. It'll be fun to revisit this vintage years from now to compare to drinking this young.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Massor av mogen söt frukt av både svarta vinbär och björnbär, kaffe lakrits, ceder, mineral och violer. Ett väldigt koncentrerat och maffigt vin men ändå med en strålande balans och otroligt lång eftersmak. Skulle önskat lite mer elegans men det kommer säkert om en 20-30 år !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fourth of July at Wes & Cassandra's (Ravenna): This had been opened for a bit when I got there. Obviously young and there is a lot of room for improvement. Cassis, some leather, blueberries, spice and fresh cut lumber on the nose. Very pretty and young. Lovely, lush texture. The palate is very tight but is delicious right now. Cassis and spice mixed with slight oak in the glass. Deep and bottomless. Lovely balance. Long finish. In twenty years, this may merit a close to perfect score. Wonderful today though with some air.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Aerated though a Zazzol then decanted for 8+ hours and consumed over the next 24. Classic bordeaux style. Seriously closed down. Hard tannins and overwhelming aromatics, river rocks. Could be a 100 point wine with some serious cellar time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep red at the rim - blackberries, cassis and cedar on the nose. Medium to full bodied, intense on the palate with a degree of depth - as yet unresolved, there is more to come - for a declassified wine it is really rather superior, sweet tannins and good acidiity. Not yet ready, leave another 2 years before trying again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bordeaux 2009 vs. 2010 - Check in on 50 well known Chateaux: Comparing the 2009 with the 2010 tonight. It starts with the color, the 09 is medium garnet, the 10 medium purple. Both are great wines no doubt, the stylistic difference of the vintage comes through very much which gives credit to the wine making team who let's the vintage speak for itself while assuring quality at the highest level. 2010 tasting note: In the nose, are much more in the blue fruit spectrum with some pine tree, Eucalyptus and flower notes. On the palate the wine is denser and aromatically deeper, displaying the tell tale deep but soft tannic structure of the 10 vintage which I have never seen before this great vintage. The 2010 tannins embarrass any 2000 and 2005 when they were young. The 09 is more ready now (no surprise) but try a 10 now to experience the depth of the structure and aromas. I can't wait it see these wines go head or head again in 5 year's time.
Wow!What a marvellous wine!Deep purple color and a fantastic nose of black cherries,creme de cassis,wet rock,charcoal,flowers and Asian spices.The palate is full-bodied with massive richness,great balance and depth and ultra-fine well integrated tannins.The oak is pushed far,far,into the background.The purity and freshness of the Cabernet Sauvignon(90%)is amazing.Very close to perfection!
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
dark magenta in color. black fruit, blueberry, plum, floral, earth, soil, spice, saline, sweet, nuts, oak, on the nose. high acid, medium tannins, on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Inky, purple in color, with licorice Asian spice, wood, espresso, cocoa, coconut, blackberry and spice. Rich, fat, dense and concentrated, the tannins are ripe, polished and round. With richness and density, the wine is fleshy, intense and expansive, ending in a long wave of fresh, ripe, sweet, pure berries. Give this stunning wine time, it’s going to be worth the wait.
Wonderfully perfumed on the nose – so much so that I checked – twice – to see if someone around me was wearing perfume. Such sweet, pretty fruit. Very good on the palate as well – juicy, balanced. One of the best 2010 Bordeaux I have tasted. Retasted at the end of the tasting (different bottle) with consistent results. 94-97
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
2010 Ducru Beaucaillou Inky deep purple in color, this stunning St. Julien Bordeaux wine is filled with scents of tobacco, vanilla, crème de cassis, blueberry, licorice, chocolate and truffle. Thick, rich and stuffed with pure, ripe, sweet, dark berries, the wine coats your mouth and palate. The long, intense finish ends with black cherry, fennel and blackberries. This truly builds in your mouth. There are no hard edges to be found in this sublime wine that ends with more than sixty seconds of flavor sensations. This is a more complete and interesting wine than when tasted in April. Borie reduced prices for his 2010 release which was priced at 16% less than the 2009 at 150 Euros. While still expensive, that level of discount helped spark sales for the wine.
Ducru Beaucaillou Produced from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the wine reached 13.95% alcohol. Inky purple in color, cassis, truffle, cedar, spice, oak, mocha and fennel aromas are found with little coaxing. Polished, powerful, long, fresh, pure and clean, the layers of chocolate covered black cherries resonate in the finish. This regal wine remains on your palate for close to 50 seconds. The wine will be aged in 95% new oak for 18 months. 97-98 Pts
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The aromas here are in a word fantastic - incredible depth, brooding with pure intense fruit. This is very special indeed; incredibly smooth entry on the palate and lovely finesse. The quality of the tannins is superb. Beautifully integrated. Exceptionally long. One of the wines of the vintage. 98-100.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/17/2024 - englishman's claret wrote:
An example which, at least at this stage, is a victim of its own success showing very, very young - tightly locked into dormancy, refusing to budge. But I know this wine and it will be superb given enough time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2024 - KenK Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for a couple of hours, which I think really helped. Dark dense aromas of black cherry, scorched earthy, cedar. Deep rich fruit forward and very smooth mouthfeel. This was singing, excellent depth of fruit, well balanced by nice structure, everything in place and a pleasure to drink. On the young side and nearly hedonistic. Don't hesitate to open now if you like the fruit more upfront. Still needs time to develop more nuance, but this was rock solid yummy. Pelican Bay Beach Club dinner.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2024 - D!n@sh Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely, fresh, energetic. Exactly the kind of Bordeaux that I like.
It was a bit tight to start with, even though I had decanted it for an hour. But by the second hour the dry tannins had disappeared and the wine was quite delicious.
Long life ahead of it but totally smashing now. If you open it, give it 2-3 hours of decant time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/6/2024 - dhwesley wrote: 97 Points
No sediment, a plume of perfume as it was poured into the decanter. Fairly dark red in color, limpid ruby at the edge of the glass. Nose is youthful, blueberries, violets, mint with a hint of wet earth. Initial impression on the tongue is an acid bite and fine, dry tannic backbone. Everything in balance but I suspect the fruit will need some air to reveal itself.
3h into the decant, things are opening up. Fine bead of acidity, minearality, and herbaceous notes of thyme and marjoram. A note of ... white flower? and a subtle undertone of nutmeg, orange and St Julien typicity. Great length. A truly enjoyable bottle with many year to go. If you do drink now, be sure to give it a lot of air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2024 - EZVZ Likes this wine: 98 Points
(tasted blind) This stood out as the clear winner in a lineup of excellent wines.
Cassis, blackberry, and some higher toned red fruit notes perfectly balanced with warm gravel, tuscan herbs and pencil shavings. A beam of acidity gives the wine a liveliness and youthfulness even as the tertiary characters are starting to become more pronounced. It feels timeless. This is old world charm and elegance.
It definitely needed a little bit of time and air to open up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2024 - yaanik Likes this wine: 98 Points
Tasted blind. Now this is my kind of wine. Slight rum-soaked raisins, white flowers (believe it or not), pencil shaving, classic Bordeaux estuarial rusticity. On palate, MINERALS, really concentrated black and blue fruit -- perfectly ripe but not overripe. Tuscan herbs. Insane length and concentration. Soooo elegant. This wine shows the power and elegance of Bordeaux (correctly guessed it to be a L bank Bordeaux). Will cruise in the cellar -- but this is very much in its drinking window at the moment. Popped and poured at first, and then enjoyed slowly over the next few hours (improved with time in glass). Paired beautifully with braised lamb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2023 - Eric Wright Likes this wine: 93 Points
Open about 3 hours before consuming. Fantastic nose - lead pencil, bell pepper, complex and long. Palate solid but lacks depth relative to nose…may improve with a bit of time
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2023 - dcwino wrote: 94 Points
Grand Jury du Vin - Republic of Georgia; 11/1/2023-11/9/2023 (Republic of Georgia then stopover in Paris and Dijon): Wine 29 – Cool black fruit, a hint of oak, dark spices. Very good balance, cool, and precise.
Afterthought – Similar to Wine 28, Leoville Las Cases, but showing less oak and less modern.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/9/2023 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 93 Points
Good but might have been slightly heat damaged. Plums, lead, vanilla, mineral and dark chocolate. Medium acid and tannin. Leaking cork here and less structure and freshness than other bottles.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2023 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
Concentrated, deep, long, energetic, complex, full-bodied, long, and intense. The fruits are ripe, sweet and fleshly, long and intense with only a touch of oak waiting to resolve. The wine offers depth of flavor, freshness, and purity. This remains youthful and should age and develop for another 3-4 decades. The wine blends 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Merlot. It is hard to believe it has been a full decade since I last tasted this gem. Drink from 2025-2060.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2023 - Eriklainen wrote:
Next to acumen peak. This one knocked it out of the park. Last couple of times I had BDX 2010 I grew ever more worried about the unyielding nature. Especially in comparison with 2009. In fact this vintage reminds me of 2005 in that respect
But now, finally, I can report a premier grand cru 2010 that is starting to flourish. Really lovely nose from PnP and only gets better. Lead pencil and truffles up first, later came white flowers and lastly cassis and cigars. This is becoming accessible.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2023 - Eriklainen wrote:
Solid. Balance is great. Minty cassis and some marlboro lights. This is good, really impressive posture. Hardly any signs of maturing. Can probably surf the cellar for another few decades
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2023 - ShakinSwedens Likes this wine:
Wowee! On a night that had an 09 chateau figeac, an 18 La Turque and some great volnays and gevrey chambertins this stood head and shoulders above. Depth of terroir with acidity and fruit in balance to create a sensation in the mouth. Decades left in the tank and plenty of upside but nonetheless an absolute privilege to enjoy at this stage.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2023 - G_H wrote:
Another proof that the 2010s are just not ready yet. While 2009 is sexy and approachable , the best 2010 Bordeaux need a decade (or more) additional cellaring. This was a particularly apparent example of that. All the ingredients are there, just add time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2023 - Suzyquatro Likes this wine: 96 Points
Glanzende donkerpaarse kleur -In de neus nog verassend primaire aroma's van zwart fruit, pruimen, bosbessen, tabak, cacao en nog wat bloemtonen - In de mond, romig, krachtig en complex, weelderig rijp fruit, chocolade en truffel, goede structuur, gepolijste tannines en zuurtegraad uitstekend in balans - Ellenlange karamelachtige en zwarte kersen afdronk - Minstens twee uur verluchten !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/17/2022 - 55degrees Likes this wine: 96 Points
Cellared since arrival at 55 degrees. A clean cork with no tartrate. Excellent legs, of a deep reddish purple wine. A nose of violets, blueberries, and plums. The wine is very dense with flavors of ripe but not over ripe blue > red fruits, cocoa nibs, graphite, a burst of salinity and a glycerine like mouthfeel that is exceptional. This wine is dense and well structured with good balance, a lingering finish and smooth mouth gripping tannins. An exceptional saint-julien 96/100
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2022 - chngpw Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted in carafe for 3 hours at lunch. The wine’s character changed endlessly over the course of the meal. A brilliant bdx, surprisingly approachable and open after some aggressive aeration. On the nose, almost completely primary fruit aromas, with a perfect amount of vanilla and coffee, black pepper and gravel. On the palate, medium+ body, delicious salinity not unlike an isotonic beverage, with the most polished tannins I have encountered in any bdx. The finish, which is the best part of the wine, lasts for what seems like hours, with lingering notes of green apple and cocoa. This wine has decades of life ahead of it but already delivers immense drinking pleasure.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2022 - Andice wrote: 91 Points
Not yet ready. All coiled up in a tense rather stern tannic structure. But material is obviously there with high quality oak and perfect fruit. Wait 3years and see.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2021 - honest bob wrote: 95 Points
A memorable New Year's Eve dinner: From 75P, perfect cork, decanted 3 hours, which it needed, remained unchanged in the glass. Dark, brooding colour and viscous texture evident while swirling. The nose is gorgeous, if still quite closed: there’s a whole spice bazaar in there and some highly refined black truffle aromas which I initially thought were coming from the accompanying food. Big-bodied entry, weighty without being thick, with seriously grown-up St. Julien fruit to spare, purring tannic structure and an endless finish, just lacking the resonance which will surely come with age as this big wine loses some baby-fat. Surprisingly approachable already, this will continue to delight for decades to come. 94-95P
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/23/2021 - Senft Does not like this wine: 90 Points
Over the hill. Nose is enticing with ripe black fruits. Sour black fruit taste. One dimensional. Short, sharp finish. Not worth the dollars or your time. Very disappointing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
12/20/2021 - Cailles wrote: 95 Points
11x Bdx & Bdx Blends from around the World: Tasted double blind. This is the second time I crossed path with this beauty and it again delivered. Compared to the first bottle two years ago (rated 95 pts) this showed much more open with more fruit coming forward (maybe it’s the two years, maybe this one has been decanted, because the first one was not). There are many highlights: the complexity, a superb precision, a luxurious structure. The acidity was not where it should be but my guess is that this is more because the wine was served too warm than a specific problem of the vintage for Ducru. In a big 2010 horizontal this was one of the best right banks and clearly the best St. Julien. 95+ pts.
TN: Intense, dark brooding nose with ripe dark berries, herbs, a bit of sugar, some tobacco. Super luxurious and despite being a touch slutty, it‘s at the same time a bit backward. On the palate this so creamy and round, so luxurious. Lots of fine dark fruit, lots of sugary and caramel/nougat notes, some minerality, herbs. The precision is off the charts. Feels hyper luxurious with the finest tannins, and a medium+, perfectly integrated acidity, with a light feel despite the density and a long, sweet finish. Despite all the sweet fruit, this is still elegant and well balanced.
Group rank (9 ppl.): shared 5th out of 10 wines
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2021 - La Sprezzatura wrote: 92 Points
a little young, decant recommended for at least 2 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2021 - J_H Likes this wine: 92 Points
Weinkongress 2021 (Restaurant Sonne Leuggern): - tasted blind
- Nose: Intense nose with youthful aromas of lots of dark, ripe fruit, plus a handful of caramel. There is something jelly-like about the wine on the nose. Mature notes and alternating back and forth of other fruit flavours are somewhat lacking.
- Palate: Medium + intense with lots of ripe, dark fruit. Extremely round and polished tannins (medium), which come along very well integrated. Personally, I miss a bit of freshness and acidity (medium). In the finish, there is a lot of pressure. In any case, it still has a lot of ageing potential and should gain in complexity.
- 91-93 points, including potential
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2021 - sirpat00 wrote: 93 Points
Tasted double-blind as part of a random mixed Bordeaux-blend line-up. Incredibly dense, extracted fruit profile showing bramble berries and black currant. Sweet layers of caramel, burned sugar, fresh grass and a bit of hay. Heavy, high-octane palate with a lot of power, at this stage in fact too overpowering for my taste. The 2010 has definitely opened up compared to 18 months ago when this was still pretty closed, but that said I would keep cellaring for another 2-4 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2021 - Eriklainen wrote:
Really quite tight on PnP. Needs many hours to come alive. But this is just magnificent. Below the premiers this wine is probably my favorite left bank. The feral note is St Julien and you get the rest too - cedar, mint and cassis. Fantastic. And no hurry, by the way
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2021 - Nontaco wrote: 96 Points
Needs more time but all the stuffing is there. Great perfume of really good Bordeaux. Cassis, tobacco, the smell of being tucked in the corner of a good, old French bistro. Smooth on the palate, like Silky Johnson walking across 110th St. Easy to drink, lovely to drink. Will finish bottle with some Juicy Lucy burgers and mushrooms on the grill. Pre-Thanksgiving with family.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2021 - englishman's claret wrote:
The 2010 isn’t quite ready to reveal its hand in full but all the requisite components for a truly great rendition of this truly great Château are there.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2021 - otto60 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Pnp over 4hrs
Deep red black core min. orange rim
Nose: secondary notes, some licorice blue fruit smoky wood
Violet/lavender.
Good acidity lift excellent balance very good length
For me as fan of young wines this is at the beginning of its drinking window.
High class bx
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/19/2021 - Collector1855 wrote: 98 Points
During a St.Julien dinner. Tasted side by side with the 2010 Leoville Poyferre. Both wines were stellar and showed why Left Bank 2010 is so attractive. While 2009 may be like 1982 2010 may be more like 1961. There is a serious masculinity in both wines but the tannins are powdery and fine, much more polished than 00/05 for example. The Poyferre was more sexy with lush fruit and oak and the Ducru denser with high precision. Both score in the 98-100 range in my book. Can be approached now but ideal drinking window is probably more like 2025-2045.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/2/2021 - sergiozy wrote: 95 Points
Decanted for 4 hours and aerated
Tannins are still ther but the fruit comes trough and it’s round and just delicious
Have plenty but I am glad I tasted it now
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2021 - Erik's grotto Likes this wine:
Luftet i 4 timer. Midium aroma og lang ettersmak. Tydelige taninn og god struktur og frukt.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2021 - hprphf wrote: 94 Points
PnP, packed like the best of 2010, if still way too tight. 94+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2021 - jmoon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Enjoyable, but despite the 3 hour decant never really opened up. Possibly should have tried pop and pour, or a 6 hour decant. Eons of life left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/29/2020 - Cailles wrote: 95 Points
Bordeaux 2010 - 10 Years On - 61 Reds: Bordeaux 2010 after 10 years. 61 reds, mostly big names, tasted blind. Average score 92.1 and lower than the more open and charming 2009 vintage last year (93.4). A few observations: A) It’s not yet the harmonious, complex, classic, clean vintage. Especially the masculine appellations of the left bank need at least 5 more years to just open up, potentially longer to soften. B) Left bank trumps right bank thanks to less detectable alcohol, cleaner lines and the two best wines of the vintage (Mouton, Margaux). C) Pomerol shines bright with many strong wines which can all mask the high alcohol levels (best AOC slightly ahead of Pauillac). D) As in 2009, there are several right banks already past peak, incl. big names (Duffau Lagarosse, Ausone). All in all, 2010 is a very good vintage with pockets of greatness but today 2009 shows more open and hence complex. More information, top and worst 10 list, appellation rankings from five participants in the story link.
TN: Without doubt the best St. Julien of 2010. Despite being young it showed very layered with lots of mineral notes, pine tree, coffee, luxurious fresh but sexy blue and black berries and even some hints of red berries. The intensity is very good, the precision is off the charts. Pleasant on the nose and palate. The structure is impeccable with lots of very fine tannins and a good freshness. Harmonious and with a good length. 95 today, but at the right time, this can easily reach the 97+ point category.
Decanting: Good from the go, but 4+ hours of decanting won‘t hurt.
Group average: 94.4
Group rank: number 17 out of 61 wines
(shared with Fleur Petrus, D’Issan)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2020 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 Points
Grand Bordeaux 2010 ten years on tasting; 6/21/2020-6/22/2020 (Fribourg): Big Bordeaux 2010 2-day horizontal hosted by a private collector. My 3 main takeaways from the vintage were 1) more frequent perception of heat, 2) a slightly stronger left bank and a less consistent right bank, 3) while in general it is still too early to pop the 2010s, wine selection is key as some appear to be in decline already, especially on the right bank. The top wines were Mouton (99), Margaux (98) and VCC (98). The biggest positive surprise was Clos Manou (95). Biggest disappointment was Pape Clement (86). More details and complete tasting overview included in the tasting story.
Tasting note:
A ripe red cherry fruit with fine roast notes, dried herbs and even some sweet candy notes as sides. This was pretty closed overall but added refined complexity almost immediately with just a bit of aeration. Cellar for another 3-5 years and I’m sure there is much to be gained.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2020 - timb58 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Hints of leather, tobacco & cherries on the nose, refined and smooth on the palate with with nice lingering notes of cherry
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
3/20/2020 - vinhonotte Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fine Wines SG - Bordeaux 2010 vs 2011 BYO (Fine Wines SG): Deep ruby. Nose subtle and green. But the palate showed lots of structure, tannins, and with the cassis fruits get more and more intense, with mint and purple flowers
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2020 - englishman's claret wrote: 96 Points
Well, the 2010 Ducru-Beaucaillou is certainly an impressive wine - voluminous nose of fresh mixed wild berries, petrichor, wildflowers, iodine-like mineral, pencil, and oak (not inappropriate for the age). A wonderful mix of intensity and elegance. Slightly warm finish, but that's 2010. This won't be really ready for prime time for another decade but should live a long life. Tough to put an exact number on this now, but will likely end up somewhere in the 95-97 range.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2020 - wineotim wrote: 93 Points
Still very primary, not a big and bold wine like I would have expected from this vintage. Fresh, bright, young fruit, mineral, stone. I was anticipating more depth and length. Three days to finish this bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2020 - schristensen Likes this wine: 96 Points
Still incredibly young, but decating 6 hours earlier really let this open up and shine. Wish I had a second bottle to open in 20 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/27/2020 - rossi.wine wrote: 95 Points
Super dark and glossy, no discolouration at all. A little creamy and oaky on the nose, oodles of dark fruit, spices, tobacco. Very concentrated on the palate, powerful tannins but equally abundant fruit, lots of depth, well integrated acidity. Really well balanced. Very long and lingering. Somewhat approachable, but too young really, this has a very long life ahead of it. 94-95+
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2020 - kostaslonis wrote: 93 Points
Tried a bit from an almost empty bottle brought at the bar.
The wine is bright and fresh, a bit earthy, black fruit, mineral, spicy oak with some green (as in still young and not unripe) tannins. This still has a long way to go, medium body, medium to long finish, outstanding, so typical old school Bordeaux, needs food
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2019 - DrZett wrote: 96 Points
An excellent vintage, power and finesse at the same time. Just in the beginning of its drinking window - give it another 10 years if you have the patience.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/27/2019 - AlbertaOenologist Likes this wine: 95 Points
intense with outstanding balance, silky texture, long pleasant finish, some tobacco notes -lots of tannins so could wait a few years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2019 - sdr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic Ducru Beaucaillou. Medium weight, slightly austere, suave. A bit of oak apparent. A beauty in evolution.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2019 - Collector1855 wrote: 99 Points
Tasted in a trio with the 09 Montrose/Lynch Bages. For me this was the top wine. Discrete nose of blackberry, mint, spices, very aristocratic and precise. The palate is the real hit here. Dense but so delineated that if almost feels light at the same time. Super precise tannins. Grand in every way, preferred it even to the Montrose which was aromatically more interesting but the structure and freshness here is to die for. I felt this was so polished that you could try it now if you are curious, better after 2025 though for sure. 99-100
6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
11/9/2018 - acyso wrote: 85 Points
HDH Bordeaux Auction; 11/9/2018-11/10/2018 (Chicago, IL): In comparison to the svelte youth of the 2015, this is a little more curmudgeonly, showing much more oak on the nose and palate than its younger sibling. Fairly astringent on the back end with some roasted qualities that I'm not a fan of. Oak pokes out way too much on the palate. I'm picking up a little bit of coconut as well. Whether this will resolve with time, I have no idea, but it's a no-brainer that the 2015 is the better wine. Probably too young, but not a greatly enjoyable bottle now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2018 - SonnyChiba wrote: 96 Points
96+. This wine is incredibly good. One of my favorite young wines I’ve had recently. Needs to sit for a while but seems put together for future perfection!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2018 - madmagnum wrote: 98 Points
after 6 hour decant and about 1 hour in the glass, this wine really started showing its stuff. rich and fresh with perfectly balanced tannins to match the structured tannins. jumps out of the glass and fills your mouth with blueberry cobbler. itsa a party in your mouth as it begins to reveal coffee, herbs, chocolate, fig, plum, meat with a
gorgeous, velvety texture. Best Ducru I have ever had and WOTN. Still young and will be better in 3-5 years when it could hit a 3 digit score. will last for 20-40 years? who knows, but will be fun to try over and over to see how it evolves.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2018 - kuese wrote: 90 Points
Has that saline finish. Pleasant but compared to eg a Malartic Lagraviere from Graves less interesting to me. Long finish is nice though. Definitely a good wine, maybe a bit pricey for what it is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/29/2018 - jmoon Likes this wine: 96 Points
Sooo... first taste I’m thinking what’s the fuss
Tasted lovely but tannic classic obvious Cabernet only (92)
Left him a couple of hours while I cooked our risotto
Then, the blooming began..93/94
Wow, he opened up to be wide, clean, calm, powerful and juicy
Ripe delicious perfectly balanced deep dark mysterious delicious st Julian with all the strides required
And at the end I’m very very happy I have 5 more bottles which will bloom into a potpourri of ripe delicious Cabernet in all its mystery 96
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
6/15/2017 - Michael777 Likes this wine: 99 Points
Very dark Rubingranat, violet reflexes; Full-bodied black berry fruit, delicate orange peel, a hint of cassis, multi-faceted bouquet, typical of Ducru; Perfect silky tannins, finely rich acid curve, extra sweet, delicate caramel in the finish, has a great length, sticks for a very long time, wonderful extracts also in the finish.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2017 - Waedi Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine just leaves me speachless... Of course very young, but increadible balance already. All ingredients for perfection are there, so I would not be surprised I will rate it 100 in 10+ years. I am loocking forward to it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2017 - Bordeaux_Jon Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and tasted, then decanted for 2 hours, poured back into the bottle for 2.5 hours and served single blind at dinner against the 2009 & 2010 Montrose, 2009 & 2010 La Dame de Montrose, 2009 Ducru Beaucaillou, and the 2010 Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard.
When just opened, the initial sip had an intriguing nose of cedar and cigar, with a palate chock-full of red and black fruit, with less tannins than expected.
Tasted blind at dinner, the wine was more austere, with black fruit and oak initially, and then cigar, cherry, cassis, and chocolate coming out with air. The palate had a juicy quality from all the red and black fruit. I thought this was a 2009.
I really liked this wine, but it doesn't feel to me that it has the complexity at this juncture for a super high score. I found it in the same league as the 2009 & 2010 Montrose, and quite superior to the La Dame 2009 & 2010 as well as the 2009 Ducru Beaucaillou. However, if you threw this in with a bunch of top Napa wines, I don't think it would be easy to pick out or more complex just yet. 94+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2016 - Gestalted Likes this wine: 94 Points
I'm a Cali wine fan at heard. I love the big rich extracted Cabs, so this was a bit of a fun try for me. The nose was the sexiest aspect of this wine. I really couldn't think of the last time (perhaps Hundred Acre) that I had a nose that complex and outright sexy. Midpalate medium weight, finish was fairly quick and dry. Guessing the finish may develop over time. It'll be fun to revisit this vintage years from now to compare to drinking this young.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2016 - Waedi Likes this wine: 96 Points
Very young, but already showing the big potential. Everything there: great nose, fruit, acidity, tannins and structure. All in great balance. Superb!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/3/2015 - FamilyLarsson wrote: 95 Points
Massor av mogen söt frukt av både svarta vinbär och björnbär, kaffe lakrits, ceder, mineral och violer. Ett väldigt koncentrerat och maffigt vin men ändå med en strålande balans och otroligt lång eftersmak. Skulle önskat lite mer elegans men det kommer säkert om en 20-30 år !
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 95 Points
Fourth of July at Wes & Cassandra's (Ravenna): This had been opened for a bit when I got there. Obviously young and there is a lot of room for improvement. Cassis, some leather, blueberries, spice and fresh cut lumber on the nose. Very pretty and young. Lovely, lush texture. The palate is very tight but is delicious right now. Cassis and spice mixed with slight oak in the glass. Deep and bottomless. Lovely balance. Long finish. In twenty years, this may merit a close to perfect score. Wonderful today though with some air.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2015 - webbaker Likes this wine: 97 Points
Aerated though a Zazzol then decanted for 8+ hours and consumed over the next 24. Classic bordeaux style. Seriously closed down. Hard tannins and overwhelming aromatics, river rocks. Could be a 100 point wine with some serious cellar time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2015 - Jasper May wrote: 90 Points
Deep red at the rim - blackberries, cassis and cedar on the nose. Medium to full bodied, intense on the palate with a degree of depth - as yet unresolved, there is more to come - for a declassified wine it is really rather superior, sweet tannins and good acidiity. Not yet ready, leave another 2 years before trying again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2015 - Collector1855 wrote: 98 Points
Bordeaux 2009 vs. 2010 - Check in on 50 well known Chateaux: Comparing the 2009 with the 2010 tonight. It starts with the color, the 09 is medium garnet, the 10 medium purple. Both are great wines no doubt, the stylistic difference of the vintage comes through very much which gives credit to the wine making team who let's the vintage speak for itself while assuring quality at the highest level.
2010 tasting note: In the nose, are much more in the blue fruit spectrum with some pine tree, Eucalyptus and flower notes. On the palate the wine is denser and aromatically deeper, displaying the tell tale deep but soft tannic structure of the 10 vintage which I have never seen before this great vintage. The 2010 tannins embarrass any 2000 and 2005 when they were young. The 09 is more ready now (no surprise) but try a 10 now to experience the depth of the structure and aromas. I can't wait it see these wines go head or head again in 5 year's time.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
4/21/2014 - valedeniro Likes this wine: 99 Points
Wow!What a marvellous wine!Deep purple color and a fantastic nose of black cherries,creme de cassis,wet rock,charcoal,flowers and Asian spices.The palate is full-bodied with massive richness,great balance and depth and ultra-fine well integrated tannins.The oak is pushed far,far,into the background.The purity and freshness of the Cabernet Sauvignon(90%)is amazing.Very close to perfection!
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2013 - affordableCollector wrote: 92 Points
dark magenta in color. black fruit, blueberry, plum, floral, earth, soil, spice, saline, sweet, nuts, oak, on the nose. high acid, medium tannins, on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 99 Points
Inky, purple in color, with licorice Asian spice, wood, espresso, cocoa, coconut, blackberry and spice. Rich, fat, dense and concentrated, the tannins are ripe, polished and round. With richness and density, the wine is fleshy, intense and expansive, ending in a long wave of fresh, ripe, sweet, pure berries. Give this stunning wine time, it’s going to be worth the wait.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
2/22/2013 - amateurwino wrote: 96 Points
Wonderfully perfumed on the nose – so much so that I checked – twice – to see if someone around me was wearing perfume. Such sweet, pretty fruit. Very good on the palate as well – juicy, balanced. One of the best 2010 Bordeaux I have tasted. Retasted at the end of the tasting (different bottle) with consistent results. 94-97
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/12/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
2010 Ducru Beaucaillou Inky deep purple in color, this stunning St. Julien Bordeaux wine is filled with scents of tobacco, vanilla, crème de cassis, blueberry, licorice, chocolate and truffle. Thick, rich and stuffed with pure, ripe, sweet, dark berries, the wine coats your mouth and palate. The long, intense finish ends with black cherry, fennel and blackberries. This truly builds in your mouth. There are no hard edges to be found in this sublime wine that ends with more than sixty seconds of flavor sensations. This is a more complete and interesting wine than when tasted in April. Borie reduced prices for his 2010 release which was priced at 16% less than the 2009 at 150 Euros. While still expensive, that level of discount helped spark sales for the wine.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
4/20/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
Ducru Beaucaillou Produced from a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the wine reached 13.95% alcohol. Inky purple in color, cassis, truffle, cedar, spice, oak, mocha and fennel aromas are found with little coaxing. Polished, powerful, long, fresh, pure and clean, the layers of chocolate covered black cherries resonate in the finish. This regal wine remains on your palate for close to 50 seconds. The wine will be aged in 95% new oak for 18 months. 97-98 Pts
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2011 - vespasian wrote: 99 Points
The aromas here are in a word fantastic - incredible depth, brooding with pure intense fruit. This is very special indeed; incredibly smooth entry on the palate and lovely finesse. The quality of the tannins is superb. Beautifully integrated. Exceptionally long. One of the wines of the vintage. 98-100.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment