Verkostungsnotizen
Vinous 87
(60% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 1% cabernet franc; 3.82 pH; 12.9% alcohol): Deep red with a pale rim. Dark cherry, dried herbs and underbrush on the nose. Enters the surprisingly big and thick given the rainy vintage, then turns lighter but refined thanks to harmonious acidity, which frames the black fruit and herbal flavors. Finishes with modest complexity, slightly gritty tannins and a trace of alcoholic heat. I’m not sure where this is headed; I’d like to try another bottle in the next year or so. Yields here were only 50.4 hectoliters per hectare, not all that different from the 48 of 2000, a much more famous vintage. The grapes were harvested between September 30 and October 12.
Robert Parker 88
Ex-chateau bottle tasted at Roberson’s Branaire-Ducru tutorial. The nose is more tertiary in style with touches of bell pepper strafing the broody dark fruit, as if you would expected more Cabernet Franc. Touches of bay leaf coming through, touches of cooked meat that reminds me of Gruaud Larose. The palate is a little hard on the entry, a more austere Branaire-Ducru with dried herbs, sage and a touch of black pepper on the slightly austere finish. Drink now-2018. Tasted October 2010.
Anticipated maturity: 2011-2018
