The estate is a relative new one, the first vintage was 2003. They have a total of 7 ha planted. Lou described the soil as similar to Pomerol but he think of the wines as resembling Margaux. I got more of a Pauillac feeling on most of them.
Lou is a passionate, down to earth and charming man, and listening to him was really fun and educational. And the quality level of the wines are of the charts. One of the best tastings this year. I walked away really impressed.
2011 Estate Cuvée
The 2011 is supposed to be a lesser vintage... Not here. This beauty shows of a big, complex, deep nose with notes of plums, graphite, ripe black currants and warm spices. Very, very elegant and handsome.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of black currant jam, dark chocolate, lead pencil shavings and sweet minerals. A lovely purity. Very, very young. Great wine!
56% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc.
95p (tasted 2015/05)
2010 Estate Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon
The one year older version shows more currants on the nose alongside some very beautiful oak scents. Very, very fine.
The taste is racy and focused and displays more upfront, sandy tannins than the 2011. The finish goes on for over a minute. A stellar effort.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
96p (tasted 2015/05)
2009 Estate Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon
Both the 2009 Estate and Grand Vin showed some funky, intense and complex flavours that some tasters found bothersome. Not me. For me, these two wines displayed identical characteristics as, for example Château Latour showcased when vintages from the 80´s were young.
The nose is a dream with its notes of black currants, dried plums, graphite, warm sand and iron. Bottomless deep and hauntingly beautiful.
The taste is - as tedious as it may sound - the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. This is what dreams are made of. Still very young, this will surely become a perfect wine in 5+ years time.
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc.
98p (tasted 2015/05)
2008 Estate Cuvée
The 08 Estate has a more meaty, open nose than the previous vintages with notes of scorched earth, plums, chocolate biscuits and more iron.
The taste is meaty and intense with lots of ripe plums and additional notes of dark chocolate, hot earth and some violets. Very, very long and warm. Stunning!
68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot.
95p (tasted 2015/05)
2007 Estate Cuvée
The oldest Estate in the line up has a beautiful nose with notes of ripe red and black currants, cool plums, cedar and minerals. Deep and structured. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and pure with notes of black cherries, plums, chocolate covered currants, leather and hot earth. The finish is long and focused. This shows of some maturity but still has a long way to go. Another really fine wine.
46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
94p (tasted 2015/05)
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin
The 2010 Grand Vin has a refined, concentrated and gorgeous nose with notes of velvety black currants, smoke, earth, graphite, iron and dark coffee. Even a touch inky. Very, very deep. Total purity. Just stunning.
The taste is young, intense and splendid with notes of the purest black currants imaginable with some dark chocolate, cedar, coffee and plums added. The finish never stops. Seamless. This beauty will require 5+ years in the cellar, even though it is very hard to resist today. These are remarkable wines.
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot.
97p (tasted 2015/05)
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin
The first sniff of this wine sent those tingling feelings down the spine that indicates a very special experience coming my way. The last time I got this feeling was from a perfect bottle of 1982 Latour. For this is a perfect wine. Young of course, but still perfect. Compile all the characteristics from the wines above and then turn it up to eleven. This has it all when in comes to concentration, refinement, purity and focus. Will go on and on and on. It doesn´t get any better than this.
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc.
100p (tasted 2015/05)
2009 Vina del Sol
This is made out of late harvested Merlot grapes that are fermented and then finished of with brandy to make a alcohol level of 17,5%. The nose is big and sweet with notes of plums marinated in liquor, violets, overripe flowers and some band aid scents. Very, very interesting and yummy.
The taste is big, sweet and concentrated with notes of black plums, banana peel, moist earth, asphalt and chocolate mousse. A long, long, warm finish. This is a perfect chocolate companion. Great stuff.
96% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot.
92p (tasted 2015/05)
2011 Estate Cuvée
The 2011 is supposed to be a lesser vintage... Not here. This beauty shows of a big, complex, deep nose with notes of plums, graphite, ripe black currants and warm spices. Very, very elegant and handsome.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of black currant jam, dark chocolate, lead pencil shavings and sweet minerals. A lovely purity. Very, very young. Great wine!
56% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc.
95p (tasted 2015/05)
2010 Estate Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon
The one year older version shows more currants on the nose alongside some very beautiful oak scents. Very, very fine.
The taste is racy and focused and displays more upfront, sandy tannins than the 2011. The finish goes on for over a minute. A stellar effort.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
96p (tasted 2015/05)
2009 Estate Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon
Both the 2009 Estate and Grand Vin showed some funky, intense and complex flavours that some tasters found bothersome. Not me. For me, these two wines displayed identical characteristics as, for example Château Latour showcased when vintages from the 80´s were young.
The nose is a dream with its notes of black currants, dried plums, graphite, warm sand and iron. Bottomless deep and hauntingly beautiful.
The taste is - as tedious as it may sound - the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. This is what dreams are made of. Still very young, this will surely become a perfect wine in 5+ years time.
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc.
98p (tasted 2015/05)
2008 Estate Cuvée
The 08 Estate has a more meaty, open nose than the previous vintages with notes of scorched earth, plums, chocolate biscuits and more iron.
The taste is meaty and intense with lots of ripe plums and additional notes of dark chocolate, hot earth and some violets. Very, very long and warm. Stunning!
68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot.
95p (tasted 2015/05)
2007 Estate Cuvée
The oldest Estate in the line up has a beautiful nose with notes of ripe red and black currants, cool plums, cedar and minerals. Deep and structured. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and pure with notes of black cherries, plums, chocolate covered currants, leather and hot earth. The finish is long and focused. This shows of some maturity but still has a long way to go. Another really fine wine.
46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
94p (tasted 2015/05)
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin
The 2010 Grand Vin has a refined, concentrated and gorgeous nose with notes of velvety black currants, smoke, earth, graphite, iron and dark coffee. Even a touch inky. Very, very deep. Total purity. Just stunning.
The taste is young, intense and splendid with notes of the purest black currants imaginable with some dark chocolate, cedar, coffee and plums added. The finish never stops. Seamless. This beauty will require 5+ years in the cellar, even though it is very hard to resist today. These are remarkable wines.
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot.
97p (tasted 2015/05)
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin
The first sniff of this wine sent those tingling feelings down the spine that indicates a very special experience coming my way. The last time I got this feeling was from a perfect bottle of 1982 Latour. For this is a perfect wine. Young of course, but still perfect. Compile all the characteristics from the wines above and then turn it up to eleven. This has it all when in comes to concentration, refinement, purity and focus. Will go on and on and on. It doesn´t get any better than this.
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc.
100p (tasted 2015/05)
2009 Vina del Sol
This is made out of late harvested Merlot grapes that are fermented and then finished of with brandy to make a alcohol level of 17,5%. The nose is big and sweet with notes of plums marinated in liquor, violets, overripe flowers and some band aid scents. Very, very interesting and yummy.
The taste is big, sweet and concentrated with notes of black plums, banana peel, moist earth, asphalt and chocolate mousse. A long, long, warm finish. This is a perfect chocolate companion. Great stuff.
96% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot.
92p (tasted 2015/05)
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