Wine Enthusiast: Initially this seems soft, but with time the more powerful fruit character comes through. It has weight, with a dark chocolate and spice intensity. -R.V.

Wine Enthusiast: Along with its Saint-Estèphe tannins, this wine proves to be richly fruity and complex, with notes of spice. The finish shows the acidity of the year. R.V.

Wine Spectator: Lilac and violet aromas quickly give way to dark toasted spice and black tea notes, followed by remarkably creamy-textured cassis and plum compote flavors, all offset beautifu...

Wine Spectator: Nice lilac, sandalwood and mulled cherry notes, with perfumy spice chiming in on the lightly fusty finish. Pretty.-J.M.

Wine Enthusiast: Caramel new wood aromas are followed by spice and toast flavors. The fruit seems thin by comparison, hard to feel under all that polished toast.-R.V.

Wine Enthusiast: Caramel new wood aromas are followed by spice and toast flavors. The fruit seems thin by comparison, hard to feel under all that polished toast.-R.V.

Wine Enthusiast: Caramel new wood aromas are followed by spice and toast flavors. The fruit seems thin by comparison, hard to feel under all that polished toast.-R.V.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 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 possesse...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 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 possesse...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 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 possesse...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 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 possesse...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 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 possesse...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 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,...

Wine Spectator: This has nice ripeness, with cassis and blackberry paste flavors allied to sweet tobacco and roasted spice. Has a plump, weighty feel, but good focus, too.-J.M.

Wine Spectator: This has nice ripeness, with cassis and blackberry paste flavors allied to sweet tobacco and roasted spice. Has a plump, weighty feel, but good focus, too.-J.M.

Wine Spectator: This has nice ripeness, with cassis and blackberry paste flavors allied to sweet tobacco and roasted spice. Has a plump, weighty feel, but good focus, too.-J.M.

Wine Spectator: This has nice ripeness, with cassis and blackberry paste flavors allied to sweet tobacco and roasted spice. Has a plump, weighty feel, but good focus, too.-J.M.

Wine Spectator: Frankly modern style, with dark, rich, velvety-textured ganache, plum sauce and steeped black currant fruit. Plenty long and with good drive.-J.M.

Wine Spectator: Frankly modern style, with dark, rich, velvety-textured ganache, plum sauce and steeped black currant fruit. Plenty long and with good drive.-J.M.