2010 Bordeaux en primeur: Montrose, Branaire, Issan, Larcis, Clos Fourtet, Clinet, Canon
15/06/11
Releases continue to come thick and fast in advance of next week's Vinexpo. We don't wish to bombard you with too many emails so please check the Offers and stock listings pages of our website for the very latest releases, prices and availability. This morning was headlined by Lynch-Bages and Montrose. In the first place we are offering Lynch to last year's buyers. We have a small amount of Montrose available for general sale.
Montrose: 'Jean Delmas believes this is one of the all-time great wines of Montrose, comparable to the 2009, 1990, 1989, 1959, 1947, 1945 and 1929. The 2010 harvest took place between September 27 and October 15, and the final blend is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that achieved 13.75% natural alcohol, a fraction above the 2009's 13.7%. Somewhat reminiscent of the 1989, only even inkier and richer, the 2010 boasts a dense purple color along with glorious aromatics of blueberries, boysenberries, black currants and a crushed chalk-like minerality. The tannins are less intrusive than I would have suspected for such a young Montrose, but they are unquestionably ripe and well-integrated. Deep, full-bodied and massive, this beauty should be at its finest between 2018-2050. 96-99+ points.' - Robert Parker, erobertparker.com
La Dame de Montrose: 'Representing 36% of the production in 2010. Composed of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, it is one of the finest examples of this cuvee I have yet tasted. Intense blueberry and cassis fruit intertwined with floral notes, a plump, unctuous texture and abundant fruit characterize this seductive, fleshy wine. Consume it over the next 10-15 years. Drink 2013-2026. 91-93 points.' - Robert Parker, erobertparker.com
Many other top wines today...
Branaire-Ducru: 'Proprietor Patrick Maroteaux has completed a decade of brilliant performances at this chateau across the Medoc's Route de Vin from Beychevelle and a stone's throw from Ducru Beaucaillou, St-Pierre and Gloria. A fabulous effort, the 2010's notes of raspberry jam, black currants, crushed rocks and spring flowers are followed by a wine of impeccable purity, medium to full-bodied power, sweet tannin and stunning texture and length. With superb richness and beautiful overall equilibrium, it will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for 25 or more years. Drink 2015-2040. 93-95 points.' - Robert Parker, erobertparker.com
Issan: 'Emmanuel Cruse has done a superb job at this moated castle on the southern approach to the appellation of Margaux. The dense blue/purple-tinged 2010 reveals notes of violets, blue and black fruits, a striking minerality, excellent purity, texture and length, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and noticeable but sweet, well-integrated tannins. It should drink well in 5-6 years and last 25-35. Drink 2016-2051. 94-96 points.' - Robert Parker, erobertparker.com
Larcis Ducasse: 'An excellent effort, stylistically, the 2010 comes as close to the 2005 as one will find. The wine was made from remarkably low yields of 19 hectoliters per hectare and the final blend was approximately 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. The late harvest (it finished during the third week of October) was managed impeccably by the dynamic duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. This phenomenal terroir, situated with a south/southeast exposition on the limestone soils of the Cote Pavie, has produced a wine with great individuality. Its dense purple color is followed by notes of black currants, sweet cherries, garrigue, licorice and incense. Already complex, it reveals formidably endowed, full-bodied flavors, a skyscraper-like texture, marvelous depth, moderately high tannins and excellent precision as well as freshness (which gives the wine that 2005-like personality). This 2010 will require 4-5 years of cellaring and should age effortlessly for 20-25 years thereafter. Drink 2015-2040. 95-97 points.' - Robert Parker, erobertparker.com
Clos Fourtet: 'My best score for the estate en primeur. Brightly coloured wine. Superb nose of fruit - and flower - liqueur, refined and fresh. Truly subtle. Extraordinary detailed and well-balanced in its proportions. Delightfully fruity, mellow and melting. Wonderfully elegant tactile feel throughout. Lingering, caressing and extremely sappy finish. Impossible not to swallow! 94-95 points.' - Jean-Marc Quarin, quarin.com
Clinet: 'A spectacular success in this vintage, this blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc achieved 15% natural alcohol. Sadly, there are only 3,400 cases primarily because of the small Merlot crop (yields were only 29 hectoliters per hectare). The wine's opaque purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of boysenberries, blueberries, black currants, licorice, truffles and a hint of asphalt. The wine possesses great intensity, a multidimensional mouthfeel, stunning glycerin and richness, and wonderful freshness as well as precision because of the vintage conditions. This massive Pomerol will age effortlessly for 30-35 years. Equaling what Clinet achieved in 1989 and 1990, it is the third successive great vintage for this estate. Drink 2013-2046. 95-98 points.' - Robert Parker, erobertparker.com
Canon 'My best score for the estate en primeur. With the 2010 vintage, the property has produced its best ever wine since the 1980s - a wonderful combination of its traditionally remarkable expression of fruit and a new more filling character. It ends on a superbly aromatic and extremely refined texture. A true grand vin, French style! 92 points.' - Jean-Marc Quarin, quarin.com
Due to our enthusiastic buying of his 2009 (an accountant might add the word "overly"), we've managed to secure sufficient stock of Xavier Borie's Grand-Puy-Lacoste to be able to offer it for general sale. We put this among our top two dozen wines of the vintage. And we're not the only ones. Tim Atkin gives it the same score as Cheval Blanc, La Mission and Lafite, while Neal Martin rates it higher than Haut-Brion, Lafite and Latour, and equal to Margaux. You've been warned! Don't miss it! /AR
Halves & magnums £10 extra per 9 litre case; other formats on request
View all 2010 Bordeaux en primeur