Wine Spectator: Still a bit compact, with blueberry coulis, fig and blackberry paste notes tightly wound, backed by tangy black licorice, singed apple wood and tar on the finish, which featur...

Eddie Wolowski: 60% merlot, 25% cabernet franc and 15% cabernet sauvignon. Opaque core with a deep red rim. A bouquet of ripe red currant leads into an entry of black fruit and spices, along ...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: A major sleeper of the vintage, this blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is another "best ever" performance. Notes of tobacco leaf, hot rocks, sweet kirsch and ...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Long-time readers know d'Aurilhac is one of my favorite under-the-radar Bordeaux in top vintages. This impressively made Medoc offers a lot of quality for its price. The 2009 ...

Wine Spectator: Lush in feel, but with finely beaded acidity keeping the creamed gooseberry, verbena and tarragon notes nicely defined, with a stylish finish. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Dr...

Jancis Robinson: Looking good! Very St-Estèphe but with the extra fruit of 2009. Lots of both fruit and structure. Smoothness of fruit concentration.

Wine Spectator: A forward style, with dark cassis, blackberry and black cherry notes spiked with a hint of damson plum. Long and velvety through the finish, with hints of black tea and tobacc...

Ryan Moses: Inky core with a thin ruby rim. Mostly merlot with a dollop of cab franc. Intense dark, baked fruits, vanilla, and clove aromas. Really inviting and richly decadent flavors of...

Wine Spectator: A fresh, lively style, with a hint of anise on the edges of the sappy damson plum and cherry pit notes. A mix of currant and pomegranate are backed by briar on the finish. Thi...

Wine Spectator: A blockbuster wine for this appellation, with masses of fruit and velvety tannins, toasty oak and chocolate. 75 percent Merlot, 25 percent Cabernet Franc and 5 percent Caberne...

Wine Spectator: Berry and fresh herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a medium finish. Straightforward.

James Suckling: Blueberry and floral aromas follow through to a full body, with superfine tannins and a long, flavorful finish. But very refined and subtle. Love the texture.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Another sleeper of the vintage, the opaque ruby/purple-tinged 2009 l'Estang exhibits lots of sweet black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with a hint of vanillin. Med...

Wine Spectator: Full-bodied, with plenty of ripe fruit, toasted oak and spices. Long and caressing. A relatively new estate to watch.

Wine Spectator: This muscular red shows roasted plum, beefy and earthy flavors on a broad frame. There's good concentration, and enough acidity to keep the finish fresh. Drink now through 201...

About this Wine: Surface of the exploitation:    30 ha
Density of plantation:    5500 vines/ hectare
Average Age of the stocks:    27-30 year...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Showing a little more tannic than it was prior to bottling, this blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is one of the consistently well-made over-ac...

Wine Spectator: Excellent concentration of fruit here, with crushed blackberries. Full and juicy, with medium chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Impressive. Best ever from here.

Wine Spectator: Beautiful clarity of fruit here, with licorice, blackberry and currant. Full and silky, long and racy. Dig it. Best ever baby. 91-94 -JS