Mineral and plum, without much intensity on the nose. Tannins and acidity on the palate, the fruit element does have good flow and lift. Not bad drinking already if you don't mind the structure, but hopefully the nose lifts up with time.
Raspberry, brier and peas. The palate is very lean and feels like it falls away short. If the green notes settle then this may well be better but they are a little distracting right now.
Pencil, ash and tobacco aromas. Sweeter fruit elements on the palate, the structure doesn't really feel like it is there for this to be a very long term wine, but it's pretty good to drink in the shorter term.
Lifted nose - roses, cherry, some light oak and red berries. The palate shows off some bright fruit as well with medium-good length. Very good early showing.
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Smoke, meat, cherry and glossy oak. The palate is the highlight for me at the moment, the tannins and fine and interwoven well with restrained fruit. Good length and balance. A very good early impression.
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Raspberry, blackcurrant, smoky wood and light herbal notes that add to the complexity. The palate is poised and seamless, there is good purity and balance to it all. Obviously young but also obviously a very fine wine.
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Plum, musk and oak aromas. The palate is gentle, with the tannins showing up towards the mid-palate. Not quite sure where this will go, but might be a good medium term prospect.
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Moss and violets, with mint chocolate as well. Palate is decent, though there is a lack of depth and while the structure is fine, it probably won't hold over the long term.
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Good lift to the nose - herb/brier, roses and char from the oak. The palate is similar in style, bright fruit and good oak tannins. I like the acidity and fruit purity here. Good length.
Ash, spice, earth, blackberry and plum. I really like the fruit weight on the palate, while the structure holds relatively firm. Feel like this taste bodes well for the future.
Blackcurrant, mocha and spices. Pleasing palate, there is some good richness to the fruit and there is a vibrancy that works well with the structure. Good length and has some good depth to it. Should age well.
Cherry, raspberry, mint and ash aromas. Palate is really well balanced and approachable, there is good carry and length. Some depth and layers to the fruit. Has structure and will show well for some time to come.
Cassis, kirsch, spice and cherry. Good acid core, there is a line of spice and good structure. Drinking really well already, though time certainly shouldn't cause harm.
Blueberry, blackberry, cherry and plum on a fairly plush nose. Bright on the palate as well, there are some fine tannins to keep things in check. Good length and fruit intensity.
Brier, violet, spice and oak. Tannins are assertive and the fruit feels a little bit too lean to keep up at the moment. Maybe give it more time to see what happens to it.
Chocolate, cherry and herb. Raw tannins stand out and cut the fruit down across the entire palate. Struggles to show anything else for now and feels lacking as a result.
Vegetable, tobacco, herbs and undergrowth. The palate is just all over the place, the fruit is clearly under ripe and the oak tannins are much too assertive for the level of fruit. Very poor showing.
Leaf, capsicum, cherry and berries. The palate shows style, the fruit is definitely red, with a tinge of green. Not sure that it has the structure for the long haul, but I definitely found interest tonight.
Chocolate, redcurrant, cassis and cherry. The palate is classy, with layered but restrained fruit. Really composed and delicious, with early drinking potential as well as the ability to age. Doesn't feel like anything much is out of place.
Blackberry, leaf, spice, chocolate and raspberry. Full on the palate, with strong tannins to match. Nice length and balance. Maybe lacks a little bit of depth and presence that would see it rated higher.
Spices and cherry. The palate is bright and has good acidity lifting. Good character and interest. I like this right now and I suspect I'll like it even more over the medium term.
Dark and brooding nose with some spice and blackberry. The palate is serious and structured, there is good depth to it and the length is great. This has all the right components to shine, it just needs time, maybe more than any other wine tonight.
Cherry, mint, redcurrant and musk. Medium bodied and approachable. Nice length and balance. Not too much intensity but I think the restraint works for the moment.
Shut down nose with apple and botrytis. There is plenty of sweetness on the palate and while it is held at bay, there is a need for time in order for this to take on some interest. Medium length.
Quince, spice, herb, pineapple and lime. Palate is all class, there is good acidity and the sweetness gives it a lift. Components work well together and the length is very good. Clearly ahead of the other 2011 Sauternes tried tonight.
2011 Château Haut-Bailly 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Plum, mint and brier. Palate is soft, with moderate structure propping things up. Nicely drinkable already.
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2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Badly corked. Annoying at a MW tasting ...
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2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Plum, cherry and blackcurrant. Ripe palate, the fruit doesn't hold back. There is good acidity to counter, with a peppery streak throughout.
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2011 Château Cantemerle 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
Blackberry, violets and roses. Medium bodied, the fruit has some restraint. Nice savoury flavour profile.
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2011 Château La Lagune 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
Mineral and plum, without much intensity on the nose. Tannins and acidity on the palate, the fruit element does have good flow and lift. Not bad drinking already if you don't mind the structure, but hopefully the nose lifts up with time.
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2011 Château Boyd-Cantenac 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Toasty ash and raspberry. Palate has good black fruit intensity. Pretty good, though there isn't any excitement here yet.
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2011 Château Brane-Cantenac 85 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Raspberry, brier and peas. The palate is very lean and feels like it falls away short. If the green notes settle then this may well be better but they are a little distracting right now.
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2011 Château Durfort-Vivens 82 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Heavy oak and herbal notes dominate. Masks any fruit that might be there. Not to my taste.
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2011 Château Giscours 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Raspberry and cherries. The palate feels relatively light weighted, with plenty of red fruits and bright acidity. Pretty nice.
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2011 Château Lascombes Flawed
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Another corked wine at a MW tasting ...
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2011 Château Prieuré-Lichine 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Earth, redcurrant and ash. Palate is mild up front, but there is a good kick of fruit in the middle. Medium length.
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2011 Château Rauzan-Gassies 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Pencil, ash and tobacco aromas. Sweeter fruit elements on the palate, the structure doesn't really feel like it is there for this to be a very long term wine, but it's pretty good to drink in the shorter term.
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2011 Château Rauzan-Ségla 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Lifted nose - roses, cherry, some light oak and red berries. The palate shows off some bright fruit as well with medium-good length. Very good early showing.
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2011 Château du Tertre 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Beef and blood, ash and cherry notes. Red fruited on the palate, not too deep but has some pretty good balance. Medium length.
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2011 Château Angélus 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Smoke, meat, cherry and glossy oak. The palate is the highlight for me at the moment, the tannins and fine and interwoven well with restrained fruit. Good length and balance. A very good early impression.
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2011 Château Cheval Blanc 94 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Raspberry, blackcurrant, smoky wood and light herbal notes that add to the complexity. The palate is poised and seamless, there is good purity and balance to it all. Obviously young but also obviously a very fine wine.
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2011 Clos des Jacobins 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Plum, musk and oak aromas. The palate is gentle, with the tannins showing up towards the mid-palate. Not quite sure where this will go, but might be a good medium term prospect.
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2011 Château Corbin St. Émilion Grand Cru 87 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Moss and violets, with mint chocolate as well. Palate is decent, though there is a lack of depth and while the structure is fine, it probably won't hold over the long term.
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2011 Château Dassault 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Oak, earth and spices. Palate is slightly rounded from the fruit, with decent acidity and oak giving some moderate structure.
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2011 Château Faurie de Souchard 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Some brett notes with leather, meat and violets. Palate has some grip and bright acid. Not very convincing and the brett could become an issue.
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2011 Château Fonroque 85 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Floral and charcoal nose. The palate lacks a little depth but it is decently drinkable.
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2011 Château Haut-Corbin 87 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Strawberry, toast and crushed ants. Palate has decent texture and tannin composition. Not too much depth but has some appeal.
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2011 Château La Couspaude 84 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Toasty oak and raspberry. Strong tannins and strong oak swamp the palate. Seriously lacks balance.
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2011 Château La Fleur Morange 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Blackberry, blackcurrant, musk and violets. Ripe mouthfeel, tannins are present but the fruit cover them well. Really good flow and balance.
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2011 Château Trotte Vieille 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Good lift to the nose - herb/brier, roses and char from the oak. The palate is similar in style, bright fruit and good oak tannins. I like the acidity and fruit purity here. Good length.
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2011 Château Beauregard 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Toasty oak, blackcurrant and plum. Good mouth-filling ripe fruit, holds on with good grip. Structured and nicely composed.
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2011 Château Clinet 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Ash, spice, earth, blackberry and plum. I really like the fruit weight on the palate, while the structure holds relatively firm. Feel like this taste bodes well for the future.
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2011 Château Nenin 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Blackberry, cherry and dusty notes. Medium body and depth. Some nice fruit purity but in the end it misses a little interest.
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2011 Château Petit Village 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Blackcurrant, mocha and spices. Pleasing palate, there is some good richness to the fruit and there is a vibrancy that works well with the structure. Good length and has some good depth to it. Should age well.
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2011 Clos René 87 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Undergrowth, toast and light chocolate. Lean body and light on with depth. The herb lends a little interest but that is about all at the moment.
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2011 Clos l'Église (Pomerol) 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
Cherry, raspberry, mint and ash aromas. Palate is really well balanced and approachable, there is good carry and length. Some depth and layers to the fruit. Has structure and will show well for some time to come.
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2011 Château Calon-Ségur 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Cassis. herbs and moss. Like the acid profile, gives things a good spark and the fruit flows well. Good composure and style.
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2011 Château Cos d'Estournel 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Cassis, kirsch, spice and cherry. Good acid core, there is a line of spice and good structure. Drinking really well already, though time certainly shouldn't cause harm.
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2011 Château Lafon-Rochet 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Blueberry, blackberry, cherry and plum on a fairly plush nose. Bright on the palate as well, there are some fine tannins to keep things in check. Good length and fruit intensity.
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2011 Château Montrose 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe
Brier, violet, spice and oak. Tannins are assertive and the fruit feels a little bit too lean to keep up at the moment. Maybe give it more time to see what happens to it.
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2011 Château Beychevelle 85 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Chocolate, cherry and herb. Raw tannins stand out and cut the fruit down across the entire palate. Struggles to show anything else for now and feels lacking as a result.
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2011 Château Gruaud Larose 80 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Vegetable, tobacco, herbs and undergrowth. The palate is just all over the place, the fruit is clearly under ripe and the oak tannins are much too assertive for the level of fruit. Very poor showing.
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2011 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Lean, leafy nose with herbs and cherry. Palate is lean as well, but there is pretty decent flow. Easy enough to drink, but lacks for interest.
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2011 Château Langoa Barton 88 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Leaf, capsicum, cherry and berries. The palate shows style, the fruit is definitely red, with a tinge of green. Not sure that it has the structure for the long haul, but I definitely found interest tonight.
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2011 Château Léoville Barton 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Chocolate, redcurrant, cassis and cherry. The palate is classy, with layered but restrained fruit. Really composed and delicious, with early drinking potential as well as the ability to age. Doesn't feel like anything much is out of place.
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2011 Château Léoville Las Cases 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Blackberry, leaf, spice, chocolate and raspberry. Full on the palate, with strong tannins to match. Nice length and balance. Maybe lacks a little bit of depth and presence that would see it rated higher.
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2011 Château Léoville Poyferré 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
Cassis, musk, violet and oak. Palate is quite ripe, with boldness and good length. Give this one time to settle and it should be really good.
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2011 Château Batailley 81 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Vegemite yeast, oak and herbs. Short and the acidity bites. Not sure if this bottle is representative but it was un-enjoyable.
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2011 Château Lynch-Bages 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Spices and cherry. The palate is bright and has good acidity lifting. Good character and interest. I like this right now and I suspect I'll like it even more over the medium term.
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2011 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Redcurrant and light floral aromas. The palate is stylish and has just the right amount of intensity when needed. Good acidity and fruit balance.
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2011 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 92 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Dark and brooding nose with some spice and blackberry. The palate is serious and structured, there is good depth to it and the length is great. This has all the right components to shine, it just needs time, maybe more than any other wine tonight.
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2011 Château Pontet-Canet 91 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Cherry, mint, redcurrant and musk. Medium bodied and approachable. Nice length and balance. Not too much intensity but I think the restraint works for the moment.
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2011 Château Climens 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
Herb, lemon and spice. Sweet and while the palate has good flow, the depth isn't quite there, especially when looking towards the 2010 Climens.
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2011 Château Coutet Barsac 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
Mineral, lemon, orange peel and apricot. High levels of sweetness, a little more acidity wouldn't go astray but it's fine.
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2011 Château Doisy-Daëne 86 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
Very herbal nose. The palate lacks a little balance, I can taste the prominent sweetness but it doesn't have the structure to keep it propped up.
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2011 Château Doisy-Védrines 87 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Herbs and lemon. Restrained at first but then the sweetness kicks in towards the middle. Medium length. Decent but not exciting.
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2011 Château Filhot 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Mandarin, lime and honey. Nice restraint on the palate, there is some sweetness but the acidity gives it some bite. Medium-good length.
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2011 Château Guiraud 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Pineapple and coconut with lime and lemon. Light style on the palate, there is good flow and length. Enjoyable stuff.
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2011 Château Suduiraut 89 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Shut down nose with apple and botrytis. There is plenty of sweetness on the palate and while it is held at bay, there is a need for time in order for this to take on some interest. Medium length.
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2011 Château d'Yquem 93 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
Quince, spice, herb, pineapple and lime. Palate is all class, there is good acidity and the sweetness gives it a lift. Components work well together and the length is very good. Clearly ahead of the other 2011 Sauternes tried tonight.
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