The Labégorce was picked from 19th until 24th September a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon 45% Merlot 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot aged in 40% new oak. It has an attractive typical Margaux-like bouquet with fine minerality and deftly integrated oak. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity not a heavyweight or opulent Margaux but it is supremely focused with a delectable feminine poised finish that is fresh and natural. Tasted twice with consistent notes.

This is at a lovely moment to start drinking, filled with crayon, mint, cocoa bean, black fruits, earth. Feels very Left Bank, Médoc, old school charm, not as polished as you would find in this estate today but with heart, plus the austere tannins that are typical of the vintage. Labégorce had been bought by Hubert Perrodo in 1989, the first estate that he bought in Bordeaux, so this was five years in to the new ownership, and with the new technical team under Marjolaine de Coninck in place since 2010. 60% new oak.

Made from a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon 36% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that hit 14% natural alcohol the excellent 2011 is a sleeper of the vintage. Textured with soft tannins lots of black currant and black cherry fruit surprising density and a velvety finish it should drink well for a decade or more. This property has come on fabulously well now that well-known oenologist Claude Gros is the consultant.