En Primeur 2011

list dated 17 May 2012

Wine	Vintage	Case size	Price/case	Cases	Parker Score
click a heading to sort
Doisy Daene Cuvée l’Extravagant	2011	1×38cl	£125	7	95-97
The 2011 L’Extravagant does not have an explosive nose like other vintages, but one that unfurls in the glass with gorgeous ripe kiwi fruit, dried honey and quince. The palate possesses a ravishing entry with vibrant white peach and apricot notes; a silver thread of acidity that cuts through its viscous texture like a knife through (very sweet) butter. The tongue positively tingles with pleasure after this elixir has been ejected. This is nothing short of spectacular even if personally, I think the regular Doisy-Daene is just as worthy. Drink 2014-2040. Neal Martin
Lafite Rothschild F	2011	6×75cl	£2,750	3	90-93
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot (harvested between September 3-21), the 2011 Lafite Rothschild came in at 12.6% natural alcohol (considerably lower than in 2010 and 2009). Exhibiting a deep ruby/purple color, lots of crushed rock, red and black currant, forest floor and underbrush characteristics, moderate tannin and medium body, it is built somewhat along the lines of the 1999 and 2001. It should be a 20- to 25-year wine, but it is not at the level of the 2008, 2009 and 2010. Fresh acids give the wine a somewhat more clipped feeling than most great Lafites have exhibited. Nevertheless, there is a lot of freshness and vibrancy to this vintage.
Lafleur	2011	6×75cl	£2,650	2	92-94
This tiny jewel of a property has produced a beautifully rich 2011 Lafleur from a blend of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot. The Merlot was picked between August 31 and September 12, and the Cabernet Franc between September 22-23. The 2011 reveals a floral-scented bouquet with notions of kirsch, liquorice and black raspberries. It is medium to full-bodied with terrific fruit purity, good minerality and slightly more acidity and freshness than are found in such ripe vintages as 2009 and 2010. At present, the Guinandeau family, the owners, are using between 50-60% new oak in an attempt to emphasize their great terroir and the extraordinary fruit quality they achieve from both the old vine Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This cuvee possesses some serious tannin and will undoubtedly need 5-6 years of cellaring after its release, but it should be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage, lasting 25+ years.
Beychevelle F	2011	12×75cl	£490	3	87-89
A medium-bodied, pleasant, lighter style of St.-Julien, the 2011 Beychevelle reveals a dark plum/ruby color in addition to notes of strawberries, black cherries, new saddle leather and hints of herbs and earth. Refreshing and delicate, it should drink well for 10-15 years.
Chantegrive Cuvée Caroline (Blanc)	2011	12×75cl	£115	10	–
(Notes not available)
Coutet	2011	12×75cl	£435	2	94-96
To be honest, I expected the 2011 Coutet to come rushing out of the blocks like Doisy-Daene; however it is not playing that game. Instead, it is almost Zen-like upon first acquaintance before revealing its life-affirming mineral aromas and traces of apricot and white peach that remain very subtle and yet tangibly there. The palate is medium-bodied with exceptional balance. There is a real sense of synergy between component parts; nothing out of place, everything focused and succinctly composed, with its trademark sense of thrilling tension on the finish. This is sheer class and a classic Coutet to add to the canon of great recent vintages. Drink 2014-2035. Neal Martin
Cantemerle	2011	12×75cl	£200	15	88-90
This is a traditional, authentic example of Cantemerle’s vineyard as well as its general winemaking style. Elegant and mid-weight with a finesse-filled style, the 2011 exhibits a dark ruby hue with purple nuances in addition to a bouquet of mulberries, cranberries and black cherries intermixed with flowers and forest floor. Medium-bodied and soft as well as crunchy and vibrant, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years.
Siran	2011	12×75cl	£179	5	87-89
A potential sleeper of the vintage, the attractive, elegant, fruit-driven 2011 Siran offers up scents of licorice, camphor and black as well as red currants. It is medium-bodied and endearing, with soft tannins and good acidity in an attractive, up-front style. Enjoy it over the next decade.
Broustet (Barsac)	2011	12×75cl	£142	2	87-89
The 2011 Broustet is rather subdued on the nose with light honey and grapefruit aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp, orange rind-tinged entry and a harmonious mid-palate. It is very taut, like many Barsacs in 2011, but there is impressive focus and tension, while the finish offers satisfying length and minerality. Drink 2013-2025. Neal Martin
Climens	2011	12×75cl	£725	5	95-97
Tasting through individual lots, I was struck by their purity and tautness, developing engaging floral aromas with aeration, with occasional notes of yellow plum and ginger. On the palate, once again there is a common theme of purity and crisp acidity, although they alternated between a lighter and a more mellifluous style. One or two significant lots demonstrated enticing spicy notes that define great Climens. There is certainly enormous potential here, one that beckons an intense, vivacious Barsac underpinned by freshness and focus. The 2011 was picked over five tries in two phases, the first from September 8 to the 21st representing a whopping 82% of the harvest over two tries; the second from September 26 until the 28th comprising over three smaller tries. Although the weather played a critical factor, Berenice Lurton attributed the success of her wine to her limestone soils. Neal Martin
Caillou	2011	12×75cl	£195	5	90-92
The 2011 Caillou has a light nose of lime cordial and freshly cut Satsumas, and it grows in stature with aeration to reveal subtle tropical notes. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous entry that is cut through by a silver thread of acidity, rendering the residual sugar barely perceptible. It is extremely taut and focused with a very precise finish. This Barsac second growth has good potential and should drink well over twenty years. Drink 2013-2030. Neal Martin
Du Tertre	2011	12×75cl	£220	10	85-87
This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot is somewhat closed, with high acidity and noticeable austerity. The color is a healthy dark ruby/purple and the wine exhibits notes of damp earth, tobacco leaf, sweet and sour cherries and loamy soil undertones. Drink it over the next decade.
Fonplegade	2011	12×75cl	£225	10	92-94
Since this estate was acquired by the Adams family of America, who hired consulting oenologist Michel Rolland, the quality has soared. The 2011 Fonplegade is another tour de force. It boasts an inky/blue/purple colour in addition to copious notes of charcoal, camphor, blackberries, blueberries and spring flowers. Opulent, fleshy, deep and impressively built, it will be drinkable in 3-4 years or can be cellared for two decades or more. Kudos to Fonplegade!
Labegorce	2011	12×75cl	£145	10	88-90
Made from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that hit 14% natural alcohol, the excellent 2011 is a sleeper of the vintage. Textured, with soft tannins, lots of black currant and black cherry fruit, surprising density and a velvety finish, it should drink well for a decade or more. This property has come on fabulously well now that well-known oenologist Claude Gros is the consultant.
Lafite Rothschild F	2011	12×75cl	£5,500	5	90-93
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot (harvested between September 3-21), the 2011 Lafite Rothschild came in at 12.6% natural alcohol (considerably lower than in 2010 and 2009). Exhibiting a deep ruby/purple color, lots of crushed rock, red and black currant, forest floor and underbrush characteristics, moderate tannin and medium body, it is built somewhat along the lines of the 1999 and 2001. It should be a 20- to 25-year wine, but it is not at the level of the 2008, 2009 and 2010. Fresh acids give the wine a somewhat more clipped feeling than most great Lafites have exhibited. Nevertheless, there is a lot of freshness and vibrancy to this vintage.
Croizet Bages	2011	12×75cl	£215	5	86-88
A healthy dense ruby/purple color is followed by straightforward, plump, black and red currant, licorice, tobacco leaf and spice box characteristics. Medium-bodied and soft, this 2011 is best consumed in its first ten years of life.
Monbousquet	2011	12×75cl	£280	5	91-93
Tiny yields of 31 hectoliters per hectare and a harvest that occurred between September 16-22 resulted in a full-throttle 2011 Monbousquet that hit 13.9% natural alcohol. The final blend was 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. In both blind and non-blind tastings, this wine acquitted itself extremely well, placing well above many wines that cost two to three times the price. The 2011 reveals exotic notes of Asian spices, black fruits, toast, coffee bean and forest floor. Fleshy and medium to full-bodied, it is ideal for drinking over the next 10-12 years.
Desmirail (Margaux, 3rd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£190	5	–
(Notes not available)
Rouget (Pomerol)	2011	12×75cl	£260	3	91-93
The deep ruby/plum/purple-tinged 2011 exhibits sandy, loamy soil, ripe cassis and kirsch scents. Surprisingly flamboyant and opulent for the vintage with good acidity, ripe tannins and a long, layered style, it should drink well for 15+ years. Older readers, who may remember the light, fruity, but pleasant and charming wines Rouget produced 25-30 years ago, will be shocked at how rich, full-throttle and intense current releases have become.
De Pressac (St Emilion GC)	2011	12×75cl	£145	4	86-88
The 2011 is one of the better examples I have seen from this large St.-Emilion estate. Composed of 70% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it exhibits a deep plum/purple color along with sweet blueberry and black raspberry fruit intermixed with cedar, toasty oak and damp earth. With medium body, good purity, decent acidity, ripe tannin and a heady finish, it should drink well for 10-12+ years.
La Vieille Cure (Fronsac)	2011	12×75cl	£115	5	90-92
The 2011 (mostly Merlot) struts its stuff with a deep ruby/purple color in addition to lots of creme de cassis, mocha and floral notes. Full-bodied with a juicy, opulent personality, impressive purity, a broad, expansive texture, sweet tannin, and enough acidity for definition and vibrancy in the finish, it should drink well for 10-12+ years. The 2011 is a sleeper of the vintage. La Vieille Cure may well be the reference point for Fronsac given its performances over the last decade. Consistently one of the top two or three wines of the appellation.
Le Prieure (St Emilion GC)	2011	12×75cl	£239	10	90-92
This major sleeper of the vintage is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from this estate, which is beautifully located not far from Troplong-Mondot and La Couspaude. Denser, richer and more concentrated than most vintages, the 2011 displays a deep ruby/purple color in addition to scents of cassis, kirsch, licorice and roasted herbs. Ripe and fruity with hints of charcoal and graphite, this impressive effort should drink well for 10-12 years.
Puygueraud (Cotes de Francs)	2011	12×75cl	£85	5	87-90
Another strong effort from Puygueraud (the birthplace of the Thienpont family), the 2011 was fashioned from modest yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec came in at 14.5% natural alcohol. The wine’s dense blue/purple color is accompanied by copious aromas of blueberries, blackberries, charcoal and graphite. Clearly performing well above its modest pedigree, this sleeper of the vintage possesses medium to full body, beautifully pure fruit, and a decade’s worth of drinkability.
La Tour Carnet	2011	12×75cl	£209	3	89-92
An excellent wine from proprietor Bernard Magrez, this blend of 57% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a big, sweet nose of black cherries, black currants, graphite and smoky oak. Medium-bodied with excellent density and fruit, good acidity and silky tannins, this striking 2011 should drink well for 15 or more years. La Tour Carnet is usually priced very fairly.
Potensac	2011	12×75cl	£139	5	87-89
A sleeper of the vintage, this blend of 52% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc exhibits outstanding ripeness (13.5% alcohol) as well as a deep ruby/purple color and excellent notes of crushed rocks, red and black currants, licorice and earth. Supple-textured, medium-bodied and nicely concentrated, it should provide pleasure over the next 7-10 years.
Fugue de Nénin	2011	12×75cl	£159	3	87-89
The Fugue de Nénin is a blend of 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. It has a light bouquet with floral raspberry and citrus fruit. The palate is smooth and harmonious on the entry with a nice savoury touch lent by the Cabernet Franc. It has pert acidity that lends it a fine crisp, focused finish that is better than recent vintages. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin
Belgrave (5th Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£175	5	–
(Notes not available)
Pontet Canet F	2011	12×75cl	£715	4	93-95
Once again proprietor Alfred Tesseron has produced a wine of first-growth potential. One of the superstars of the vintage, Pontet-Canet’s 2011 exhibits an opaque purple color and a glorious bouquet of incense, subtle toast and copious quantities of creme de cassis. There is a floral underpinning, decent acidity and ripe tannin to this full-bodied effort. Big, rich, round and generously endowed, it should drink well for 20-25+ years.
Marquis d’Alesme (3rd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£215	5	85-87
A final blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot has resulted in the finest wine Marquis d-Alesme Becker has made in many years. Although not outstanding, it is a good start. A deep plum/ruby/purple hue is followed by notes of black currants, spring flowers, licorice and loamy soil. This soft, round, pleasing 2011 can be enjoyed over the next decade. A somewhat forgotten Margaux classified growth, this 37-acre vineyard is under new management with the brilliant Claude Gros installed as the consulting oenologist.
Camensac	2011	12×75cl	£170	10	84-86
A solid, charmless but competent wine, the dark plum/ruby-colored 2011 Camensac reveals sweet, herbal, red and black currant fruit, medium body and a lightly tannic finish.
Bellegrave (Pauillac)	2011	12×75cl	£142	10	–
(Notes not available)
Gazin	2011	12×75cl	£435	5	88-91
Gazin is normally a big, backstrapping Pomerol as its vineyard sits between Lafleur and Petrus. However, the 2011 is a softer, more gentle effort with a deep plum/purple color and a sweet bouquet of balsam wood, damp earth, black cherry jam, licorice and a hint of tomato skin. Medium to full-bodied and deep, this Gazin is closed and slightly unformed. I suspect there is more to this wine than it revealed on the several occasions I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.
Pagodes de Cos	2011	12×75cl	£310	5	87-89
The 2011 Les Pagodes de Cos is a stylish, elegant, mid-weight blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot with a small dab of Petit Verdot. It offers attractive berry fruit, licorice, underbrush and spice box notes in a finesse styled format. Drink it over the next decade.
Croix Mouton	2011	12×75cl	£69	5	86-88
The La Croix Mouton has a toasty, blackberry and dark chocolate scented bouquet that is modern and showy. The palate is medium-bodied with a sinewy entry. It shows noticeable extraction, but it is clean and weighty with a dense, broody, slightly green finish that should go well with a hearty steak. Neal Martin
Capbern Gasqueton	2011	12×75cl	£119	10	85-87
This seriously made, richly fruity, clean, earthy wine reveals light tannin as well as a spicy finish. It merits consumption during its first decade of life.
Marquis de Calon	2011	12×75cl	£140	10	–
(Notes not available)
Lilian Ladouys	2011	12×75cl	£114	10	–
(Notes not available)
Cambon la Pelouse	2011	12×75cl	£98	5	86-88
Two samples both very different. The best was quite fluffy and lifted on the nose with copious ripe red fruits suggesting a lot of pumping over. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy, slightly furry tannins but good depth and a fleshy, rounded finish that gives a nod to 2009. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin
Le Carillon d’Angelus	2011	12×75cl	£370	5	–
(Notes not available)
Sociando Mallet	2011	12×75cl	£205	5	90-93
The 2011 may turn out to be even better than the 2009 Sociando Maillet. Its opaque purple color is not unusual for a young Sociando Maillet, but the creme de cassis, graphite and floral characteristics impressively saturate the olfactory senses. Medium to full-bodied with excellent purity, texture and length as well as remarkably sweet tannins, this wine should drink nicely for 10-15 years.
Bellevue (St Emilion)	2011	12×75cl	£360	10	87-89
This hard, austere, highly extracted 2011 was tasted on two separate occasions. Both times it appeared to be coming off malolactic fermentation, and was thus not showing all its best characteristics. Certainly Bellevue’s vineyard is fabulously situated, and readers looking for a striking chalkiness and austere, angular style will do no better than this. Yields were only 20 hectoliters per hectare, and the brilliant Hubert de Bouard is the consulting oenologist at this estate. The 2011 is tight and closed, and no matter how hard I tried, it was very difficult to get a bead on which direction it might go. This is another 2011 that will be more interesting to taste from bottle.
Suduiraut	2011	12×75cl	£465	4	93-95
Picked over three tries through the vineyard from September 12 until October 5, the Suduiraut 2011 has 150 grams per liter residual sugar counterbalanced by a pH of 3.7. It has an intense nose, albeit one that takes time to unfurl in the glass, offering attractive notes of citrus lemon, minerals, apricot and quince suffused with great tension. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, citrus-led fruit mingling with apricot and quince. It has less bravura and ambition than the 2009 or 2010, and you might consider it a Barsac-like Suduiraut due to its racy acidity. It has wonderful focus and satisfying length, and it should drink well both early and with age. Drink 2014-2035. Neal Martin
Raymond Lafon	2011	12×75cl	£245	5	90-92
The 2011 Raymond Lafon was picked from three tries representing six lots (the first and last de-selected for the second label) between September 19 and October 5, the earliest harvest since 1893. It has 149 grams per liter residual sugar and a pH of 3.83. It has an understated bouquet of honey, grilled almond, pineapple and quince aromas. It comes across as tight and not expressive at this early stage, but that will certainly change. The palate offers a light, almond and quince-tinged entry and it represents a lighter, feminine take on the vintage. It is a Raymond Lafon that will be beautifully balanced and endowed with a precise finish that neatly offsets sweetness against acidity. Drink 2013-2028. Neal Martin
Rol Valentin	2011	12×75cl	£225	5	89-91
I experienced serious sample variation with the 2011 Rol Valentin and the following notes represent a synthesis of the better examples I tasted. A deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of black raspberries, black currants, graphite and licorice. The wine possesses lots of intensity, a rustic but medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long finish. It should drink well for 15 or more years.
Haut Marbuzet	2011	12×75cl	£215	10	87-90
Much less overtly woody than normal, the 2011 Haut-Marbuzet displays flashy, flamboyant fruit (not a characteristic of this vintage), a dark ruby/plum/purple color and cherry, black currant and subtle smoke notes. This is a fruit-driven, front end-loaded effort with good body, excellent ripeness and sweet tannin. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years.
Rayne Vigneau	2011	12×75cl	£280	5	93-95
The Rayne-Vigneau has a seductive nose with tropical fruit, vanilla and coconut aromas that seek to entrance from first acquaintance. At the moment, the oak is noticeable but it should assimilate by the time of bottling. The palate is very precise with fine minerality and tension on the entry. It has outstanding focus and linearity before fanning out with a peacock’s tail of quince and marmalade on the long, viscous finish. This is an excellent wine that gets better and better in the glass. Drink 2014-2035. Neal Martin
Tour Saint Bonnet	2011	12×75cl	£65	25	–
(Notes not available)
Du Glana (St-Julien)	2011	12×75cl	£139	15	82-85
This small estate can offer good value, but the 2011 is a superficial, one-dimensional, fruity, early maturing wine with adequate color and richness. While pleasant, it is hardly worth making a special effort to find.
G de Guiraud	2011	12×75cl	£74	15	–
(Notes not available)
Le Demoiselle de Sociando	2011	12×75cl	£115	15	–
(Notes not available)
Les Ormes de Pez	2011	12×75cl	£200	15	87-89
An elegant, medium-bodied, front end-loaded effort, the dark ruby/plum-tinged 2011 Les Ormes de Pez offers attractive red and black fruits intermixed with dusty, loamy soil undertones, and medium body. This soft, consumer-friendly St.-Estephe should drink nicely for 7-8 years. It is a sleeper of the vintage.
Doisy Daene	2011	12×75cl	£270	5	95-97
The aromatics on the Doisy-Daene comes racing out of the blocks like a March hare, soaring from the glass with honey, quince and lychee aromas with a sorbet like freshness and vivacity. The palate is supremely well balanced with a heightened level of tension and purity, offering delectable but subtle notes of white peach and apricot towards the beautifully composed, mineral-rich finish. Curiously, it reminds me of a top-flight Mosel Auslese, but what a fabulous Barsac from Denis Dubourdieu! Neal Martin
Beau Séjour Bécot	2011	12×75cl	£369	5	90-92
A typical example of Beau-Sejour Becot (a 40-acre vineyard on top of St.-Emilion’s limestone plateau), yields were 37 hectoliters per hectare and the wine is relatively powerful for a 2011 (14.5% alcohol). The final blend was 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. This modern-styled effort exhibits copious aromas of toasty oak, espresso roast, melted chocolate, black currants and cherries. The nearly exotic, somewhat flamboyant and elegant St.-Emilion is not a big bruiser, but rather possesses plenty of finesse and freshness because of its acid levels. It should drink well for two decades.
Filhot	2011	12×75cl	£160	10	88-90
Although recent vintages of Filhot have been disappointing, I am more optimistic about the 2011. There is an attractive nutty note on the bouquet that is crisp and defined. The palate is nicely balanced with fresh, honeyed fruit while the viscous finish lacquers the mouth with the chutzpah that has been absent of late. I hope that this Sauternes remains on course throughout its barrel maturation because Filhot needs to be up there with the greats. Drink 2014-2020. Neal Martin
Chevalier de Lascombes	2011	12×75cl	£155	5	81-83
The nose appears rather dry and dusty. The palate is sweet on the entry but the tannins are hard and it dries out on the finish. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin
Doisy Daene Blanc, Sec	2011	12×75cl	£115	5	–
(Notes not available)
Bastor Lamontagne	2011	12×75cl	£150	5	89-91
The Bastor-Lamontagne offers a more exotic bouquet that its peers, with subtle tropical fruit aromas mingling with kiwi fruit and even a hint of toffee apple. It is well-defined but it needs to develop more intensity during maturation. The palate has a spicy entry with mint-tinged, honeyed fruit that leads to a precise, mineral-rich, focused finish that offers a touch of shaved ginger on the aftertaste. This is an intriguing Sauternes that should age with style and may offer more after bottling. Drink 2014-2028. Neal Martin
Rieussec	2011	12×75cl	£350	5	91-93
The 2011 Rieussec has a lifted, at the moment quite oaky, bouquet with scents of honey, almond and pineapple. Hopefully it will develop more definition by the time of bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with tropical fruit and mandarin on the entry and a satisfying viscous core of honeyed fruit. It seems a little disjointed towards the finish, although I am sure it will become more cohesive by the time of bottling. For me, it just seems a little predictable. Drink 2015-2028+. Neal Martin
Bon Pasteur (Pomerol)	2011	12×75cl	£380	3	91-93
The flagship estate of Dany and Michel Rolland (by the way, Rolland’s autobiography has recently been published and it is highly recommended), Bon Pasteur’s 2011 is a strong effort in this difficult vintage. Yields were tiny, resulting in a concentrated, intense wine with a deep ruby/purple color as well as notes of mulberries, boysenberries, caramel, truffles and flowers. Medium to full-bodied with adequate acidity, velvety tannins and a plush, savory, expansive mouthfeel, it should drink well for 15 or more years.
Doisy Vedrines	2011	12×75cl	£215	5	90-92
The 2011 Doisy-Vedrines has a far more taciturn bouquet than the Doisy-Daene, offering its trademark tropical, peachy aromas that will hopefully develop more delineation throughout its maturation. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous entry. There are attractive spicy notes and a satisfying build in the mouth towards its botrytis-rich, tropical finish, although on this occasion I find it needing more tension to merit a higher score. Drink 2014-2030. Neal Martin
Péby Faugéres (St Emilion GC)	2011	12×75cl	£635	2	92-94
The estate’s luxury cuvee, the 2011 Peby Faugeres comes from the oldest (averaging 45 years) sector of the vineyard and is essentially 100% Merlot. Yields were 26 hectoliters per hectare and the fruit was harvested at the end of September. The wine is packaged in a spectacularly beautiful engraved glass bottle. Opaque purple in color, the 2011 is one of the most intense, full and rich wines of the vintage. Notes of ink, graphite, blueberries, black raspberries, toasty oak, white chocolate and mocha are all present in this full-throttle, expansive, savory St.-Emilion. It should drink well for two decades or more. One of the up-and-coming stars of St.-Emilion, Faugeres is owned by Swiss entrepreneur, Silvio Benz (also the owner of the Lalique crystal company).(92-94+ points)
Prieure Lichine (Margaux 4th Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£295	5	90-93
This sexy, delicious effort is atypically fat, fleshy and opulent for a 2011. While the acidity is present, it is lower than in many Medocs. The wine displays lots of blue, red and black fruits intertwined with a floral note that provides additional complexity. Front end-loaded with a mid-palate and finish that fill out nicely, this beautifully made wine is a true sleeper of the vintage. Drink it over the next 15+ years.
Angélus (St Emilion GCC B)	2011	12×75cl	£1,430	3	92-95
A great success for proprietor Hubert de Bouard, the 2011 Angelus came in at 14.5% natural alcohol (keep in mind that this is supposedly a challenging vintage – and it was), and 75% of the production made it into the top label. The remainder was declassified into a second label or was sold off in bulk. Yields were a low 30 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend was 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. The color is a typical dense blue/purple, and the nose offers up wonderful notes of black raspberries, blueberries, flowers, vanillin and spice box. With authority, velvety tannin, good extract and glycerin, this rich, pure, beautifully textured St.-Emilion should drink well for 20+ years.
Rauzan Gassies (Margaux 2nd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£285	7	88-90
A strong effort from this somewhat forgotten Margaux classified growth, the 2011 Rauzan Gassies reveals a healthy dark plum/purple color in addition to a sweet nose of creosote, black currants and mossy, foresty notes, and a lush, medium-bodied, soft, round mid-palate as well as finish. The tannins are well-integrated, and the acidity is sufficient for freshness and definition. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
Lynch Moussas (Pauillac 5th Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£214	3	87-89
The 2011 Lynch Moussas is a very good effort from an estate that is making better and better wine, although it does not yet rank alongside the top Pauillacs. This mid-weight, ripe effort exhibits a deep ruby/plum/garnet color along with an attractive perfume of berry fruit, cedarwood and a touch of tobacco leaf, crisp acidity and moderately well-integrated tannin. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years.
Calon Segur	2011	12×75cl	£420	5	92-94
The great Madame Denise Gasqueton, a Bordeaux icon whom I always visited early in the morning (8:15 a.m. for nearly 20 consecutive years), passed away on the first day of the 2011 harvest. The 2011 Calon-Segur is a fitting tribute to her extraordinary passion and love for this fabulous estate in the northern sector of St.-Estephe. A very strong effort (this property was untouched by the hail storm that swept through the area on September 1), it boasts an opaque purple color as well as surprisingly sweet tannin and abundant quantities of black cherry, black currant and dusty, loamy scents. Medium to full-bodied with beautifully integrated tannins and sensational purity and length, this super effort is a wonderful homage to the memory of Madame Gasqueton. Moreover, it is potentially one of the longest-lived wines of the vintage and should drink well for 25 or more years.
La Confession (St EMilion GC)	2011	12×75cl	£210	5	90-92
Producer Jean-Philippe Janoueix, who does such a super job with his Pomerol, La Croix Saint-Georges, and his generic Bordeaux, Croix Mouton, has this vineyard in fine working form. The 2011 La Confession (69% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc) hit 13.9% natural alcohol. Its dark blue/black color is followed by abundant notes of creosote, camphor, blackberries and blueberries intertwined with notions of espresso roast and new oak. With outstanding concentration, texture and ripeness, this medium to full-bodied, surprisingly evolved, delicious St.-Emilion should drink well young and last for 12-15+ years.
La Mission Haut Brion F	2011	12×75cl	£2,250	3	93-95
The production of the 2011 La Mission-Haut-Brion (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc) was a tiny 4,100 cases, compared to 6,000 cases in 2009 and 5,100 cases in 2010. The 2011 is a big, sexy, smoky, classic La Mission displaying lots of road tar, graphite, barbecue, meats, mulberry, black currant and blueberry notes. It is full-bodied with sweet tannin as well as an expansive, fleshy style. The harvest was late in 2011 despite the fact that this micro-climate is one of the warmest and most precocious in all of Bordeaux since it is essentially in the city of Bordeaux. This brilliant wine, one of the vintage-s superstars, should drink reasonably well in 3-4 years and keep for 25 or more. I can-t say enough good things about the job Jean-Philippe Delmas has done after taking over for his well-known father at La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion. As long-time readers know, I am an addict for both of these wines.
Haut Brion F	2011	12×75cl	£3,700	2	92-95
Like its stablemate La Mission-Haut-Brion, Haut-Brion’s 2011 production was small, only 7,600 cases, which is nearly 3,000 fewer cases than in 2009. A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc, it is interesting to taste the 2011 Haut-Brion next to the more open-knit, seductive 2011 La Mission Haut-Brion. The former wine is more firm, backward and earthy with a more formidably structured style. Undeniably elegant, distinctive and original, it exhibits notes of mulberries, plums, blueberries and raspberries. Jean-Philippe Delmas told me that in many ways the 2011 reminds him of the 2008 from an aromatic and structural profile. There is plenty of tannin, and the 2011 has 25-30 years of aging potential. It may be more reminiscent of a vintage such as 1988, but it is better made as well as being the product of a far stricter selection process.
La Mission Haut Brion Blanc	2011	12×75cl	£6,250	3	95-98
90-100 is equivalent to an A and is given only for an outstanding or special effort. Wines in this category are the very best produced of their type. There is a big difference between a 90 and 99, but both are top marks. As you will note through the text, there are few wines that actually make it into this top category because there are not many great wines
Haut Brion Blanc	2011	12×75cl	£6,250	2	96-98
90-100 is equivalent to an A and is given only for an outstanding or special effort. Wines in this category are the very best produced of their type. There is a big difference between a 90 and 99, but both are top marks. As you will note through the text, there are few wines that actually make it into this top category because there are not many great wines
Clarence Haut Brion	2011	12×75cl	£740	10	89-91
The 2011 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion is more mineral-based than La Mission’s second wine, La Chapelle. The Clarence de Haut-Brion possesses a deep ruby/purple color along with copious notes of black cherries and black currants intermixed with hints of crushed rocks and wet gravel. It’s easy to tell it is from the Haut-Brion vineyard. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
La Chapelle de la Mission Haut Brion	2011	12×75cl	£495	10	90-92
The second wine is also a great success, revealing much of the character of its bigger brother, although not the weight or richness. The open-knit, plush, opulent, fresh, lively 2011 La Chapelle de la Mission is ideal for drinking in its first 10-15 years of life. I can-t say enough good things about the job Jean-Philippe Delmas has done after taking over for his well-known father at La Mission-Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion. As long-time readers know, I am an addict for both of these wines.
Pedesclaux (5th Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£212	3	86-88
Elegant black currant, camphor and loamy soil notes intermixed with hints of ink and toasty oak are followed by a medium to full-bodied wine displaying beautiful purity. Fashioned from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc that hit 13% natural alcohol, this 2011 may turn out to be better than the 2009 and 2010. Drink it over the next 15 years. One of the great underachievers of all times, this classified growth was purchased by Jackie Lorenzetti in 2009, and Emmanuel Cruse (proprietor of d’Issan) has been overseeing the vinification and upbringing of the wine. The result is that Pedesclaux is beginning to make qualitative noises for the first time in my 30+ year career.
Grand Mayne (St Emilion GCC)	2011	12×75cl	£230	5	90-92
A big time sleeper of the vintage from one of my favorite go-to estates in St.-Emilion, Grand-Mayne’s 2011 reveals a dense blue/purple color in addition to abundant aromas of raspberries, black currants, licorice and toasty oak. With moderate, sweet, well-integrated tannin, decent acidity and a heady, long finish, it can be drunk over the next 10-15 years. I do not know what the natural alcohol is, but I suspect it’s pushing 14% plus.
Durfort Vivens (Margaux 2nd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£245	5	83-85
A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from proprietor Gonzague Lurton, the 2011 Durfort Vivens is superficial, soft and round with a green, herbaceous streak running through the aromatics, mid-palate and finish. If this was an accurate tasting of this cuvee, it is certainly not one of the better classified growths of the vintage.
Langoa Barton	2011	12×75cl	£325	4	86-88
It is difficult to find any sweet fruit in this firmly structured, backward, austere, astringently tannic, dry 2011. The color is a healthy dense ruby/purple and the wine is earthy, but charmless at present. This will be more interesting to taste once it has been bottled.
Montrose F	2011	12×75cl	£740	5	91-93
A strong effort, the 2011 Montrose exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to abundant black currant and boysenberry fruit notes intermixed with white chocolate, damp earth, truffle and camphor. Medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin and impressive concentration, this blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot hit nearly 13% natural alcohol (relatively high in Bordeaux, but lower than the 13.2% in 2009 and 13.8% in 2010). The 2011 should drink well for 15 or more years. The harvest at Montrose was held between September 2-27, and only a tiny parcel in the southern sector of the vineyard was touched by the hail storm that swept through the Pauillac / St.-Estephe border on September 1.
Dame de Montrose	2011	12×75cl	£235	9	87-90
The 2011 La Dame de Montrose also benefitted from a strict selection as well as top-notch winemaking. Composed of 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a spicy, ripe 2011 with lots of fat as well as abundant notes of blueberries and black currants in addition to a sexy, open-knit, mid-weight personality. Drink this seductive effort over the next decade. The harvest at Montrose was held between September 2-27, and only a tiny parcel in the southern sector of the vineyard was touched by the hail storm that swept through the Pauillac / St.-Estephe border on September 1.
Soutard (St Emilion GC)	2011	12×75cl	£230	2	88-90
A big, backstrapping, masculine style of wine, the 2011 Soutard exhibits a healthy blue/purple color along with notes of damp earth, blackberries, plums and hints of toasty oak, forest floor and underbrush. This attractive, deep, chewy St.-Emilion possesses moderately high tannins and good acidity. It will require 3-5 years of cellaring after its release, and should keep for two decades.
Lagrange (St Julien 3rd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£285	4	85-87
Extracted and oaky with dry, astringent tannins, the 2011 Lagrange is disjointed and not totally harmonious at present.
La Parde de Haut Bailly	2011	12×75cl	£170	2	87-89
The La Parde de Haut-Bailly represents 40% of the crop and is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon (Merlot more than usual as the yields were higher.) It has a very fine, quite minerally bouquet with good delineation, a hint of chalk and graphite in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins, a little brusque and structured although that will soften by the time of bottling. The finish shows more fleshiness and it has good length. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin
Fleur Cardinale	2011	12×75cl	£220	3	92-94
Another top-notch success, the 2011 (70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) hit 15% natural alcohol. Yields were a low 30 hectoliters per hectare, and the harvest occurred quite late. The result is a dense purple-colored wine with a stunning bouquet of blackberry jam, graphite, charcoal and blueberries. With superb density and purity as well as a multidimensional mouthfeel, this intense St.-Emilion is a sleeper of the vintage, although consumers are catching on to the exquisite quality emerging from La Fleur Cardinale. The 2011 should drink well for 15+ years. This property has been on a qualitative hot streak since it was acquired by the Decoster family nearly a decade ago. Consultants are the impressive Jean-Philippe Fort (from Michel Rolland’s laboratory) and Jean-Luc Thunevin.
Haut Bailly	2011	12×75cl	£560	5	91-93
While the elegant, stylish 2011 Haut-Bailly does not possess the density and concentration of the three vintages that preceded it, this is still outstanding wine as well as a tribute to the impeccable work done by proprietor Robert Wilmers and his manager, Veronique Sanders. Classic red and black currant aromas interspersed with notions of wet stones/crushed rocks, tobacco leaf and spice box are followed by a medium-bodied, well-balanced, impressively pure wine built on finesse and understatement. This beauty is capable of drinking well young or over the next 15+ years.
Domaine de Chevalier (Pessac)	2011	12×75cl	£315	3	87-89
A very good effort from this estate located in the southern sector of Pessac-Leognan, the 2011 Domaine de Chevalier is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot that achieved 13% natural alcohol. It offers medium body, attractive sweet red and black currant fruit, a round, supple texture, and hints of roasted herbs and damp earth. Drink this pretty, elegant effort during its first 10-15 years of life.
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc (Pessac)	2011	12×75cl	£615	2	93-95
A blend of 85% Sauvignon Bland and 15% Semillon, the Domaine de Chevalier Blanc has a very taut bouquet with scents of granite, lemon rind and a touch of white peach and chalk dust. Great focus and intensity although it takes time to unwind. The palate is medium-bodied with a lovely elegant white peach and a drop of wild honey, very good acidity and a caressing, vanilla-tinged finish that shows great length. This is better than the red this year. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin
Canon la Gaffeliére	2011	12×75cl	£415	6	90-92
From the flagship estate of visionary Stephan von Neipperg, I noticed some sample variations on the four occasions I had this wine. Cropped at 33 hectoliters per hectare with a final blend of 60% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is generally a fruit-forward style of wine with an exotic, perfumed personality. The 2011 reveals a soft, sexy style with lots of Christmas fruitcake notes intermixed with cedarwood, spice box, black currants and kirsch. Fleshy and fat with impressive purity, texture and length, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-14 years.
La Pointe (Pomerol)	2011	12×75cl	£210	1	90-92
The La Pointe 2011 has a focused bouquet with fresh dark berry fruit that is totally in tune with the new oak. There is a nice touch of oyster shell developing with time. The palate is succulent and supple on the entry with lifted dark berries, fine minerality and quite a dense finish that does not exhibit any of the greenness that an old La Pointe would have in such a vintage. Very fine from Eric Monnoret and his team. Tasted April 2012
Faugéres (St Emilion GC)	2011	12×75cl	£199	4	91-93
The impressively endowed 2011 Faugeres is a big wine for the vintage, boasting an opaque ruby/purple color as well as notes of creosote, black currants, blueberries, coffee beans and toasty oak. This modern-styled, full-bodied, pure, textured, long St.-Emilion’s zesty acidity gives freshness and vibrancy to this big wine. It tips the scales at 14% natural alcohol, and is a blend of 85% Merlot with the rest primarily Cabernet Franc and a tiny bit of Cabernet Sauvignon. It should evolve for 15-20 years. One of the up-and-coming stars of St.-Emilion, Faugeres is owned by Swiss entrepreneur, Silvio Benz (also the owner of the Lalique crystal company).
Laforge (St Emilion GC)	2011	12×75cl	£210	10	90-93
This 2,500-case blend from three separate St.-Emilion terroirs is composed of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Copious aromas of graphite, sweet black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with notions of underbrush, forest floor, camphor and Asian spice emerge from this complex, medium to full-bodied 2011. Loaded with color, fruit and surprisingly silky extract, it should drink well for 10+ years.
Malartic Lagraviére (Pessac)	2011	12×75cl	£285	2	87-88
The structured, austere 2011 Malartic Lagraviere was produced from small yields (32 hectoliters per hectare) and the final blend was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Slightly tannic, rigid and spicy, it exhibits notes of black currants, bay leaf and loamy soil. In the mouth, the wine is mid-weight with moderate body and a structured mouthfeel.
Malescot Saint Exupery (Margaux 3rd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£355	10	91-93
This dense ruby/purple-colored, opulently-styled 2011 displays terrific fruit intensity, velvety, well-integrated tannins, surprising density and richness as well as decent acidity. Notes of ink, blueberry liqueur and creme de cassis are present in this medium to full-bodied, flamboyant Margaux. It should drink nicely for 15 or more years.
Dassault	2011	12×75cl	£198	5	88-90
Inky purple with abundant raspberry, blueberry, camphor and acacia flowers, this relatively evolved wine represents a lovely concoction of fruit and extract. Without any hard edges but with plenty of sweet tannin. Dassault’s medium-bodied 2011 is very seductive. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025.
Pape Clement Rouge (Pessac)	2011	12×75cl	£595	4	92-94
I had the 2011 Pape Clement on four separate occasions and there was a slight sample variation, but this seems to be a fair estimate of its potential. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and the rest tiny proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2011 offers notes of lead pencil shavings, charcoal, barbecue meat, black cherries, black currants and plum sauce. This is a medium to full-bodied, dense as well as strikingly elegant and precise wine. The purity, palate presence and potentially complex aromatics always stand out in a Pape Clement. This example should drink well for 15-24 years. This great terroir, which is basically within a suburb on the southern outskirts of Bordeaux only 2-3 miles from Haut Brion and La Mission Haut Brion, is just over 100 acres.
Fombrauge (St Emilion GC)	2011	12×75cl	£160	5	87-89
Composed of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and a tiny dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2011 is a spicy, straightforward, deep plum/ruby/purple-colored effort displaying powerful tannins as well as a slight austerity. There is also plenty of creamy, rich blueberry and black raspberry fruit intermixed with hints of crushed rocks and bay leaves. It should be close to full maturity in 3-4 years and last for 12-15. Owned by Bordeaux visionary/entrepreneur deluxe, Bernard Magrez, this is still the largest vineyard in St.-Emilion.
Giscours (Margaux 3rd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£309	5	88-90
The powerful, concentrated 2011 Giscours is not terribly dissimilar from their 2005. Composed of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Merlot, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with scents of charcoal, underbrush, forest floor, licorice, black currants and a hint of wood smoke. This rich, medium to full-bodied, dense effort should be consumed over the next 10-15 years.
La Gaffeliere (St Emilion GCC B)	2011	12×75cl	£380	3	90-93
One of the oldest family-owned vineyards in St.-Emilion, La Gaffeliere has been owned by the same family since the 1400s. The 2011 performed slightly differently in multiple tastings, but overall, it appears to be an outstanding, elegant, restrained, somewhat austere, but impressively built wine. The final blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc produced nearly 5,000 cases from their 42+ acre vineyard. The wine exhibits lots of earthy, balsam, resiny notes interwoven with red and black currants, cedar and underbrush. This elegant, dense, medium to full-bodied St.-Emilion should drink nicely for 15-20 years.
Meyney (St Estéphe)	2011	12×75cl	£205	5	88-90
A sleeper of the vintage, the 2011 Meyney (which escaped the hailstorm that devastated the northern Pauillac border and St.-Estephe boundary line on September 1) possesses an opaque ruby/purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of black olives, black currants, charcoal and earth. Dense and medium to full-bodied, this classic St.-Estephe offers good acidity and ripe tannin. It should drink well for 12-15 years. Old timers undoubtedly remember Meyney-s brilliant track record in the decades of the 1970s and 1980s, and it appears things are back on track at this St.-Estephe estate.
Lascombes (Margaux 2nd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£450	2	91-93
A blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot that tips the scales at 14% natural alcohol, the 2011 Lascombes is another knock-out effort. (Michel Rolland is the consultant.) Made in a more modern style with plenty of toasty oak intermixed with blueberry and black currant fruit as well as hints of licorice and camphor, the wine-s textured lushness on the mid-palate, sweet, well-integrated tannins and full-throttle finish result in an impressive Margaux to drink over the next 15 years.
d’Issan (Margaux 3rd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£330	5	91-93
Only 57% of the production made it into the 2011 d’Issan, which tips the scales at a lofty 13.2% natural alcohol. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Merlot, it possesses a dark ruby/purple color as well as a classic Margaux perfume of sweet blueberries, black currants, spring flowers and licorice. Ripe and deep with impressive intensity, it is one of the stars of the 2011 vintage. The wine’s silky tannins, fresh acids and stunning length suggest it will drink well for 15-20 years. Kudos to proprietor Emmanuel Cruse.
Blanc de Lynch Bages	2011	12×75cl	£230	3	90-92
The Blanc de Lynch Bages is a blend of 66% Sauvignon Blanc, 12% Semillon and 22% Muscadelle raised in 50% new oak. It has a well-defined bouquet with lime, green apple, chalk dust and a touch of white peach. The palate is well balanced on the entry with the oak nicely assimilated, leading to a poised finish that shows nice weight and persistency. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin
Clos Marsalette (Pessac)	2011	12×75cl	£135	10	89-91
This seductive, open-knit, lush, attractive Pessac-Leognan offers lots of tobacco leaf, sweet kirsch and assorted berry fruit notes in its delicious, medium-bodied, silky, round, complex and hedonistic personality. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years.
Lafon Rochet (St Estephe 4th Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£255	10	85-87
This property must have had some hail damage, as the 2011 seems lighter than normal (and I tasted it on three separate occasions). The color is a healthy dense ruby/plum and there is an attractive, up-front bouquet, but the wine is medium-bodied, somewhat superficial, fresh and fruity. It is ideal for drinking in its first 7-8 years of life.
Echo de Lynch Bages	2011	12×75cl	£230	5	86-88
The Echo de Lynch Bages has the highest Merlot ever at 41% of the blend as the yields were higher and as Jean-Charles said, it just ended up that way. It has a precocious nose with espresso-tinged black fruit with a hint of brine that become more prominent with aeration. The palate is well balanced with rather brusque, chalky tannins. Very linear at the moment with a citric thread of acidity towards the finish. Fine. Neal Martin
Phélan Ségur (Saint Estéphe)	2011	12×75cl	£225	10	88-91
A sleeper of the vintage, this is a beautiful follow-up, in a much more challenging vintage, to their exceptional 2009. Deep plum/purple-hued with a nose of mulberries, black currants and cassis, the wine is dense, medium-bodied, ripe for a 2011, with good underlying acidity and a seriously endowed, layered texture. The tannins are present, but well-integrated and ripe. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.
Lynch Bages F	2011	12×75cl	£725	10	90-93
Another strong effort produced under the administration of Jean-Charles Cazes (the son of Jean-Michel Cazes, who spent decades building Lynch Bages into one of the most popular Bordeaux estates), the 2011 boasts an inky/purple hue in addition to copious aromas of black currants, incense, forest floor and ink. Deep, rich, medium to full-bodied and layered with supple tannins as well as the vintage-s freshness and vibrancy, it should age easily for 20 years.
Marquis de Terme (Margaux 4th Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£260	4	86-88
The dark plum/ruby-hued 2011 Marquis de Terme offers an attractive perfume of roasted herbs, loamy soil, and red and black currants. Well-made, clean and medium-bodied with a certain superficiality, this charming effort can be drunk over the next decade.
Gloria (St Julien)	2011	12×75cl	£225	5	89-91
This estate continues to go from strength to strength. Another sleeper of the vintage, the 2011 is excellent, possibly outstanding. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by abundant aromas of cassis, forest floor, tobacco leaf and a vague hint of oak. Ripe for the vintage with excellent texture, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and a delicious, savory, broad appeal, this wine should drink well for at least a decade. Kudos to Jean-Louis Triaud, who seems to be doing better with this estate and his neighboring St.-Pierre than his beloved Bordeaux football team.
Palmer	2011	12×75cl	£1,635	5	92-94
Chateau Palmer’s 2011 yields of a minuscule 20 hectoliters per hectare were caused by the overall drought conditions, the extreme heat at the end of June, and some problems during flowering. Only 55% of the crop made it into Palmer, and given the lowest yields since 1961, the final blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon possesses huge tannins, but they are remarkably velvety and sweet. This opaque purple-colored, dense, concentrated, full-bodied wine will need time to totally form its personality. The harvest, which occurred between September 10-24, produced a big, boisterous, concentrated wine that should age for 25-30 or more years. (92-94+ points)
Alter Ego	2011	12×75cl	£399	3	88-90
More approachable (it tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol), the 2011 Alter Ego de Palmer is composed of 48% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and a whopping 15% Petit Verdot. Despite all of the latter varietal, the wine is velvety textured, pure and impressively endowed with a lovely fragrance. It should drink beautifully for 10-15+ years.
Cantenac Brown (Margaux 3rd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£285	5	86-88
A masculine, structured, tannic effort, Cantenac Brown’s 2011 reveals a deep ruby/purple color, clean fruit on the attack, and hard tannins dominating the finish. If the wine’s structure softens, this will be a very good to excellent wine capable of lasting 15-20 years.
d’Armailhac (Pauillac 5th Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£310	10	90-92
A strong effort from this property situated between Pontet-Canet and Mouton Rothschild, d’Armailhac’s blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot was harvested between September 14-24. Its deep ruby color is accompanied by abundant aromas of black fruits, white chocolate, licorice and flowers. Medium-bodied, expressive, savory, pure and long with sweet tannins, it should drink well for 15+ years.
Fleur de Gay (Pomerol)	2011	12×75cl	£560	10	90-93
Like its stablemate La Croix de Gay, this once 7.5-acre vineyard has shrunk to only 5 acres after one hectare was sold to the Rothschilds’ Chateau l’Evangile. Consequently, the production of La Fleur de Gay is smaller than ever. The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2011 (100% Merlot) offers notes of mulberries, black raspberries and cassis, terrific fruit, espresso, mocha and coffee beans. Coming in at 13.5% natural alcohol, it should evolve for 12-15 years.(90-93+ points)
Lacoste Borie	2011	12×75cl	£145	5	–
(Notes not available)
La Croix de Gay	2011	12×75cl	£199	3	89-91
A sleeper of the vintage, the 2011 La Croix de Gay possesses a level of richness and intensity that may turn out to be more impressive than in their 2009 and 2010. Composed of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from their 12-acre vineyard (15 acres were recently sold to l’Evangile), this wine exhibits a dense blue/plum color as well as a sumptuous bouquet of black cherries, blueberries, charcoal and a touch of spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, rich and powerful (13.5% alcohol), it has enough up-front precocious fruit, glycerin and charm to be drunk young or cellared for 10+ years.
Haut Bages Libéral	2011	12×75cl	£239	5	87-89
Smoky black currant and black cherry fruit aromas jump from the glass of this deep plum/purple-colored Pauillac. Soft, seductive tannins, medium body and excellent fruit as well as ripeness give this wine an endearing style with plenty of appeal. While there is not a lot of weight, there is an up-front forwardness that should provide attractive drinking over the next decade.
Ferriére (Margaux 3rd Growth)	2011	12×75cl	£210	10	90-92
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc and aged in 35% new oak, the Ferriere has a very pure bouquet that is so elegant and refined. The palate is very well balanced with a pleasant fleshy entry. It has an effervescent red fruit profile with hints of orange zest towards the bright, perky finish. I hope it is as delicious as this after bottling. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin
Guiraud	2011	12×75cl	£310	4	88-90
The 2011 Guiraud is missing some of the vivacity and fruit intensity displayed by some of its peers this year, and its bouquet is quite resinous and missing the fruit concentration of others in this vintage. The palate shows more promise, with very fine tension and crisp acidity, although it is not quite matched by the finish, which feels slightly attenuated. I was hoping for more from Guiraud, which has produced some excellent wines in recent years, although both samples were consistent. Neal Martin
Clos Marsalette (Blanc, Pessac)	2011	12×75cl	£125	5	90-93
A plump style, offering a hint of blanched almond that’s quickly followed by grapefruit oil, white peach and jicama notes, with a straw-tinged finish. James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

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Parker Score

list dated 17 May 2012