Chateau Beausejour Heritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse 2010

A beautiful, floral-tinged style, with a delightfully expressive core of kirsch and linzer torte that bursts forth, while lots of red licorice, bergamot, black tea and blood orange notes fill in the remaining space. This has terrific range, with a long, creamy finish as well, but don't be fooled, there's serious grip in reserve and should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2030.

The Left Bank character of this St-Émilion wine is on full display. Concentration and depth, liquorice root and dark bitter chocolate. This is intense and the tannins remain just a little impenetrable. An impressive wine that speaks of its terroir and is packed with estate signature. Will age extremely well (I enjoyed a 100-year-old wine from Larcis Ducasse in 2019, and wouldn't bet against this one making the grade). 60% new oak.

The color is still inky, like a barrel sample. And that is just part of the story. The nose knocks you out with its power, complexity, and depth. On the palate, the wine is insanely concentrated. But don’t let that fool you. This is no one-trick pony! The waves of fruit just keep on coming. They are dark, pure, sweet, and taste like you took a basket of fresh-picked plums and cherries at perfect ripeness and squeezed them over rocks and stone before placing all that gorgeous juice in the bottle. This is a legend in the making that will be talked about for generations to come. The texture, weight, density, and quality of the fruit are surreal. Only 1,100 cases were produced, so if this sounds like your style of wine, you should have this in your cellar.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections and a slightly watery rim. A very multi-faceted bouquet with subtle balsamic hints, background notes of forest fruits, hints of figs, a touch of chocolate and sweet spices. Full bodied, fruity, with ripe cherries, vivid tannins, freshness and finesse and a long mineral finish. A great expression of its great terroir. Developing beautifully with definite ageing potential.

A big, rich, opulent wine, the 2010 Château Beauséjour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) offers a gorgeous nose of ripe black cherry and currant-like fruit as well as that classic limestone-influenced truffly, earthy, chalky character that builds with time in the glass. Based on 73% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon raised in 80% new oak, this rich, velvety, mouthfilling Beausejour has plenty of mid-palate depth, full-bodied richness, and a great finish. Drink 2024-2044.

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Seductive, almost creamy bouquet, red cassis, ripe plums, a subtle floral touch with blossom nuances, unfolding beautifully. On the palate, velvety, soft and full, a dreamlike balance, creamy tannins, and exalted length. Once again shows at a brilliant level and now seems determined to consistently match its earlier individual successes.

Intense and concentrated, with muscular yet velvety tannins, a ton of limestone-induced slate and pumice stone juice that kicks in after a few moments. Nowhere near the perfect drinking window, this was the second year with Nicolas Thienpont, and his more concentrated style, together with the natural impact of the vintage, means you need patience, but it’s a wine I’d be willing to get on. There are delicate floral notes beneath the black fruits, and a salted cracker finish. Bernard Oizeau, cellar master, yields of 21 hl/ha.

A dense opening, with brightness, lovely fruit and a fine balance.

Logo on the cork: AL Deep, intense colour. Moderately aromatic nose with creamy fruit. Soft on the attack, fleshy and powerful through the mid-palate, the wine then drops off in the final third of the palate, lacking structure. Average persistence. Notes of alcohol (15%) and oak.

With the high alcohol typical of 2010 vintage, this is a ripe, jammy and full wine. Black plums ooze richness against a background of firm tannins and acidity that will allow the wine to age. It is dense, concentrated and powerful, needing some time. Drink from 2018.