Cory Gowan, JJ Buckley, April 2011

Potentially 75% merlot, 25% cabernet sauvignon. The14-hectare vineyard is planted to gravel, clay and limestone on rolling hills between Carbonnieux and Smith-Haut-Lafitte. All vines are propagated from a selection massale of the property's own pre-phylloxera, ungrafted rootstock. Harvesting is manual. Alcohol comes in at 14.5%. The 2010 has a complex nose of wood smoke, brine, baked desserts and penetrating red fruit. Alive with pinpoint layers of flavor, the palate showcases blueberry, minerals, saline, and blackberry compote. The tannins here expand to give it some length and turn a tad bit grippy at the end, and the oak gives it a nice spice note to finish. Derenoncourt consults.

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, April 2011

Blueberry, with mineral and hints of fresh herbs. Full and velvety. Good acidity. Straightforward.

Jancis Robinson, April 2011

Black! Sumptuous balance of super-ripe fruit and structure and freshness. Round and easy and apparently effortless - in terms of enjoying it. Only on the end does one become aware of the fine tannins and the need to keep this. Very distinctive. Dry but not drying end. 17 out of 20

90 -92 points,

Jeff Leve, TheWineCellarInsider.com, April 2011

With smoke, spicy berries and fennel scents, round textures and a sweet, chocolate, blackberry filled finish, this remains one of the top values in Bordeaux.

91 -93 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2011

2010: A stunning sleeper of the vintage, this blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon was made by winemaking guru/consultant Stephane Derenoncourt. The wine's 14.5% alcohol tells you something about its amazing richness and intensity. Aromas of smoke, lead pencil shavings, sweet kirsch and black currants soar from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, opulent, fleshy wine. Some tannin lurks beneath the surface, but the overall impression is one of opulence and extravagance. Drink this beauty over the next decade or more.

90 -93 points,

Wine Spectator, April 2011

An attention-getter, with supervivid raspberry and blueberry fruit coursing along a racy graphite edge. There's solid flesh, but this is really lengthy and driven. A major turnaround going on at this estate. -J.M.

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