2011 Château Grand Village

Community Tasting Notes (8) Avg Score: 89.1 points

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  8/28/2021 - talbot61 Likes this wine: 90 Points

  From a magnum: Some sediment, low tannin, moderate acidity, medium- to light body, with an attractive spiciness -- cardamom and black pepper -- and a slight smokiness. Very easy to drink, very popular with our guests, an excellent bargain, prime for drinking now.

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  9/10/2017 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 89 Points

  If I'm perfectly honest, I like the 2011 best of the trio of 2009, 2010 and 2011 of this wine. The 2010 may ultimately be the greater wine, but, like the 2009, it is almost too big and powerful. This 2011 has lovely, ripe Merlot fruit, a hint of earthiness, some peppery Cabernet Franc in the background, lovely balance and freshness, well-managed tannins and that touch of dryness on the finish which is so typical for 2011. More modest but certainly expressive and harmonious. At peak, now - 2020.

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  6/15/2016 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 89 Points

  A combined tasting note of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages. All three are basically made from around 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and aged in used barrels from Château Lafleur. They are quite big wines, weighing in at 14.5%, 14.5% and 14% ABV respectively. The wines are impeccably made (Grand Village is the home of the Guinaudeau family, the owners of Château Lafleur in Pomerol), and consequently they are true representatives of their terroir and their vintages. The 2009 has suffered a bit from the heat of the vintage, it seems. It offers delicious rich and ripe fruit, blackberries and plums even, but it feels very earthy, the wood sticks out a bit when the bottle has been open for a few hours and acidity is low; there is considerable heat on the finish. One to drink up before the fruit fades (88). The 2011 shares some of the earthy character with the 2009, but it is made in a much fresher and cooler style; although attractively energetic, it does display that certain dryness in the tannins which is typical for the vintage. Drinking well from now until 2020 (89). The 2010 is in a class of its own in this trio and seems to (almost) transcend the limitations of its modest terroir. It is lifted and floral, creamy, with an elegance and finesse not encountered in the two neighbouring vintages, the fruit is ripe but fresh, there is vibrant acidity, the oak is perfectly integrated and the tannins are still grippy but ripe; there is nice resonance on the slightly rough finish and length is good. This may improve for a few more years and should last until 2025 (90).

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  6/14/2016 - Xavier Auerbach wrote:

  Strangely, this is much lighter and drier than the previous nine bottles; it completely lacks the richness and density of Merlot fruit that make this wine stand out in its class. I will put it down to bottle variation (I do hope so, even if only because I have just bought a case of both the 2009 and 2010). Not finished and not rated.

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  6/7/2016 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 89 Points

  Happily drinking my way through my two cases of this lovely juicy - and very pleased to report that only four months after my previous note, the tightness on the finish seems to have all but disappeared; the tannins provide grip but they are ripe and so is the delicious Merlot fruit. A complete and impeccably made wine, that seems to escape the vagaries of the vintage. Drinking well now and over the next 3-5+ years. Tempted to add another point.

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