There can be no doubt that outside Pomerol, St Emilion has put in the strongest performance in 2012. There is great beauty to the best wines. The vintage was not without its own problems of course as detailed in earlier posts – various heavy bouts of rain in October; the difficult start to the growing season which lead to uneven and protracted flowering; the risks of mildew in early July and botrytis in October. The most attentive and diligent have triumphed and the quality of the best Merlot is stunning.

Given the challenges of the year there is more variation in St Emilion than in Pomerol as you’d expect. The region is bigger and more geologically varied, but also there are simply more properties. Some will have been prudent in the vineyard, others less so. Likewise lighter, sandy soils may have struggled in the dry August heatwave, others with more clay and gravel will have coped better. The better sites and terroirs on the St Emilion have as usual, generally made the best wines. Still there are a very great number of supposedly less distinguished properties that through great attention to detail and good consultancy have made some really enjoyable wines. St Emilion will provide a lot of good value wine for the consumer despite all the controversy surrounding the price hikes at Chateau Angélus and Chateau Pavie.

The wines that disappointed were those that had maybe picked a little early with their Cabernets [for fear of the weather] or a little late. There are also those that have pushed a bit too much, though there seemed a lot less over-extraction to me coming across in the wines than usual which seemed a good thing. Generally the standard of the wines at the Union de Grand Crus tastings at Chateau Soutard was very high – amongst those there Chateau Beau-Séjour-Bécot, Clos Fourtet, La Dominique, La Gaffelière and Troplong-Mondot stood out, in addition to Pavie-Macquin and Canon-la-Gaffelière covered in earlier posts.

At the Cercle de Rive Droite press tastings at Chateau Barde-Haut the quality of the St Emilion Grand Crus Classé was pretty homogeneous and there are some excellent values to be had here. I was especially impressed with Chateau Barde-Haut itself, along with Destieux, Fombrauge, Fonplégade, Fonroque, La Commanderie, Sansonnet and St George Côte Pavie amongst others. Things were more varied at the St Emilion Grand Cru level but overall the standard of the wines was a lot better than in 2011. Clos Dubreuil, Patris and Sanctus du Chateau La Bienfaisance looked pretty good but there are others too. Tasted separately I was also impressed with Clos Badon, Chateau Daugay, Chateau Puy-Blanquet, Chateau La Serre and Chateau Trimoulet.

Chateau Bélair-Monange has incorporated Chateau Magdelaine

I’ve group the tasting notes in alphabetical order regardless of classification [though that is indicated on each note]. In some respects the highlights have already been reported, but there are exceptions. Premier Grand Cru Classé Chateau Bélair-Monange was tasted with JP Moueix and its notes appear below – very elegant and composed. It now incorporates the vineyard that formerly constituted Chateau Magdelaine. Also tasted on a visit to Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion was the Clarence Dillion property St Emilion Grand Cru Chateau Quintus [formerly Chateau Tertre-Daugay]. This has certainly shifted up a gear since the inaugural release last year and was very impressive. The notes too are also included below.

Overall it’s a very long post [there are notes on over 90 wines] but hopefully pretty comprehensive. The major omissions are Chateau Ausone, Chateau Pavie and Chateau Tertre Rôteboeuf. I hope to catch up with these soon but time escaped me here in St Emilion more than anywhere else, though I did manage to taste more wines than ever before. As usual the notes are more important than the numbers.

Chateau Angelus, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’

Very deep and saturated; violets, layers of lush black fruits; deep and saturated palate; layers of flavour again; violets, plums, spices and freshness too; chewy finish which shows just how much saturation and material there is on the palate. Pretty dense effort. Despite the pretty aromatics, the palate is deeply serious. 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc. 92-94+ Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau Balestard La Tonnelle, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; tight to edge; very ripe notes, pretty thick and deep; some coffee and mocha; toasty; creamy entry, quite thick and rich; not the freshness of some but big. Tannins ripe and reasonably fine. Goodish if thick style. 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Saiuvignon. 87-88+ UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Barde-Haut, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; ripe and rich with plenty of oak and spicy, plummy fruit; yes there is a coffee bean note and an attractive earthy undertow; very attractive overall [on the nose]; similar tones on the palate; plenty of spicy plum tones with blackcurrants; modern style but with nice Bordeaux freshness. Chocolate on the finish, along with a bit of tannin and a twist of acid. Like this. 90-91+ Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau Bellfont Belcier, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; dark at centre; looser at rim; some fragrance and perfume; certainly delicacy; feels good [and appetizing more importantly]; ripe fruits qualities on the palate; rich but not puckering; works well in a mid-weight style. 87-88+ Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau Beauséjour her. Duffau-Lagarrosse, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; very deep and tight to the rim; legs; very full and plump on the nose; lush; layer upon layer of ripe fruit – black cherry, summer compote, plum; very lush entry; plush palate with lots of material and depth. Chewy on the finish with some minerality. Very good length. Terrific wine. Very brave late picking here. 87% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc 94-96+ Tasted Friday 12^th April 2013 at Chateau Pavie Macquin

Chateau Beau-Séjour-Bécot, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated colour; dark at core; lots of ripe plummy Merlot; pretty deep and fat; some spices; depth; pretty lush nose; density on the palate, some oak tannin but lots of plummy fruit; chewy and dense. Looks good. 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. 90-92+ [second tasting] Deep and dense; ripe, layered but pretty dense; quite tight on the palate but with plenty of density; good length. 91-93 UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Bélair-Monange, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth, healthy colour; vibrant edge; fresh nose, minerality; nice fruit, attractive entry, some perfumed fruit; fresh and refreshing. Elegant wine but has depth and intensity. Never that showy early on. Now incorporates Magdelaine – only 1300 cases produced. 100% Merlot. 91-93+

Chateau Bellevue, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep colour; nice perfume and lift; attractive floral notes; nice depth; sweet attack, quite grippy but stony, wet rocks and lots of density and strength. Very chewy finish. Pretty good. 87-89 Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau Berliquet, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; ripe and rich; glossy colour; lifted nose, plums, black fruits, spices and some menthol and tar with some jam; lots of ripe fruit on the palate; plums, spices and fruitcake; nice to drink already. Feels very forward and lush. 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 89-91 Tasted Friday 12^th April 2013 at Chateau Pavie Macquin [Earlier note] Deep and dark; blackcurrant cassis, spices, plums, nicely lifted; black cherry some prunes too; creamy palate with lots of lush fruit; little jammy but nice grip and tension at the end 88-90+ UGC Weds 10^th April 2013

Chateau Boutisse, St Emilion Grand Cru

Ripe and spicy fruit driven; some bouncy perfume; plums; palate has spicy notes; some oak and dryness [which I expect will fill out]; nevertheless pretty spicy and dry. 85-87 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013 [later] Mid depth; fresh; some vibrancy, some perfume; spicy palate which is quite elegant. Less concentration here than in the great years like ’10 but this is elegant, mid-weight St Emilion and good value. 86-88 Cercle de Rive Droite 10^th April 2013

Chateau Cap de Mourlin, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and dense; tight to edge; big and fat with some marzipan notes; pure if a little overdone; quite chunky fruit with chewy finish; little dry tannin and dry on the finish. Puckering. 82% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc 4% Cabernet Sauvignon 85-87? UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Carillon d’Angelus, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; some perfume and violet lift; palate quite tight and grippy with real chew and density. Doubtless the Cabernet influence, Cabernet Sauvignon especially. 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Savignon, 25% Cabernet Franc 89-91 Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau Canon, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep, saturated colour; legs; very vibrant nose; lots of cherry, dark chocolate and plums, surprisingly voluptuous and seductive; some spice here too; wonderfully plump palate with lots of wonderfully attractive fruit; very lush and full; yes there is structure beneath but a very plush Canon. Lush and full. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. 14% 92-94+ Tasted at Chateau Canon Friday April 12, 2013

Chateau Canon-la-Gaffelière, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Vibrant purple at edge; saturated look; black fruits, deep aromas; black cherry; lots of layers here; some oak to integrate further on the palate but very attractive wine. Chewy finish. 92-94+ Tasted at Chateau Canon-la-Gaffelière Friday April, 12, 2013 [Earlier note] Deep and dark looking; freshness here; some red fruits, some lift; not OTT; lots of oak tannin on the palate but flesh; chew and density. Dense and deep. 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc. 90-92+ UGC Weds 10 April 2013

Chateau Carteau Côtes Daugay, St Emilion Grand Cru

Ripe fruit, quite solid, but not seemingly drying; some marzipan hints but not figgy; palate has spice and tannin, quite fresh and firm in acid but the palate doesn’t seem lean. Fresh, spicy and with lively acidity. Maybe finishes a fraction short. 85-87+ Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Cheval Blanc, Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’ St-Emilion Deep and dense; vibrant at the edge; healthy looking; nice delicacy to the nose; not a blockbuster, feels intellectual and mannered; elegant and well balanced palate, very fine with good purity; pretty structured and still quite tight; fine tannin and very much in the manner of near-neighbour Figeac. Quite tight on the finish. Very precise, linear and polished. Expect this to fill out. 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc. 93-95+

Chateau Côte de Baleau, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Ripe fruit notes; some depth; well balanced and sappy with nice ripe fruit; not overly complex but satisfying; plenty of ripe fruity; nice solidity bit without being simply gutsy. 86-88 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Clos Badon, St Emilion Grand Cru Deep and saturated look; very dense; lush and deep on the nose; sexy and saturated with fruit aromas – black cherry, plums – very attractive; lots of extract and material on the palate; very ripe and big; very lush indeed; sweetness but very drinkable already. 75% Merlot remainder split between Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. 90-91+ Tasted Friday April 12, 2013 at Jean-Luc Thunevin

Clos Dubreuil, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and dense looking; pure Merlot on the nose; ripe and full; nothing wrong with this, if a little simple; some spice from oak barrels here too; dense; lots of material and acid here; grippy but with plenty of material; lots of density. Ambitious wine. Very good. 88-90+ Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Clos de L’Oratoire, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated colour; very attractive, plummy fruit on the nose with perfume and sweet cake and spices; very attractive and very open and opulent on the palate with a silky-satin finish 91-93+ Tasted at Chateau Canon-la-Gaffelière, Friday April 12, 2013

Clos Fourtet, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep and dense; lush and ripe nose; very pretty; really very pure and enticing; oak on the palate but largely soaked up by the lovely plump Merlot in evidence; very linear through aroma to palate; feels very good potentially. Little chewy on the finish. 92-94+ [second tasting] Deep and dense; lots of plums, jam and black fruits; palate has soaked up the oak; lashings of fruit, material and density. Here the vintage comparison is with 1998. 86% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc. 92-94+ UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Clos les Grandes Versannes, St Emilion Grand Cru

Dark and saturated look; right up to edge; thick and intense; resin and syrup; some nutty/almond-y oak influence; saturated palate with many similar elements; tannins at the end with a drying aspect. Chewy St Emilion at the very least. 84-86?  Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Clos de Jacobins, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and dark looking; ripe and thick; not OTT; some marzipan but no jam; pretty deep on the nose; ripe fruit, some lift; bags of fruit here but the only drawback is the tannin/winemaking management – feels very dry on the finish. 86-88? Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013 [Later – better note] Deep and saturated; violet lift with plums; very attractive with clearly lots of material; nice vibrancy on the palate; lots of ripe Merlot in and easy, supple and very enjoyable style. Impressive effort. 75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. 89-91+ Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Clos de Madeleine, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Dense and deep at centre; some satin and ripeness; little honey; fresher with acid and interest; but dips a fraction; I would expect this to come good and prove really enjoyable, un-pretentious St Emilion for drinking. 87-89 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013 [Later note – more disjointed] Deep and saturated; attractive nose, some nicely integrated oak; plums, black fruits and spices; palate very oak dominated at present; little clumsy and quite dry. Chewy and dense with loads of wood tannin. Hold off on the oak! Nice fruit here but way too much oak. 84-86? Tasted Wednesday April 10, 2013 at la Fleur de Bouard.

Chateau Croix Cardinale, St Emilion Grand Cru

Ripe, some marzipan in the nose; feels ripe; some sweetness; palate seems oak influenced [perfumed] but quite elegant like it doesn’t quite have the legs. Some spicy fruit here but a little dryness on the finish. Think the fruit will outweigh the tannins but lets see. 84-86 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Croix de Labrie, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; rich and dense; some resin but largely ripe, concentrated fruit that is the key here; pretty bold; dense and weighty; spicy fruit but nice and fresh – a real mouthful; good stuff; lots of chew and density and extract but not drying qualities. 87-89 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Dassault, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; very ripe Merlot on the nose; quite fat; clean; round and ripe entry; not overdone; good and ripe; some oak but not disjointed. Pretty good. Goodish length. 87-88 UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Daugay, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; some vibrancy and bounce to the nose; some spice; nice entry, some perfume and depth; ripe and sweet fruit with next texture. Nice freshness at the end. Very good example of unpretentious St Emilion Grand Cru. 86-88+ Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau de Pressac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; looser at core; ripe Merlot; not overworked but nice; modesty here; attractive and vivacious palate; good fruit; nicely extracted and not overdone – either in wine making or in oak handling; this works nicely. 87-89 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau de Ferrand, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; opaque at centre; menthol and spicy notes on the nose; lifted; big and extracted palate; thick and rich; lots of fruit and density. Chewy finish. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Fanc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 86-88 Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau Destieux, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; ripe, some spice, some resin; ripe red fruits on the nose with resin elements; saturated but not overly so with nice balance; clearly ripe and attractive fruit made this wine; some dryness at the end but I expect this to round out. Nicely done. Doesn’t shout out. 88-90 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau du Parc, St Emilion Grand Cru

Initially quite seductive nose with layers and oak [coffee/mocha]; quite serious; obviously a quite worked style; dense but lots of oak tannins on the palate; spicy tones nevertheless; should fill out as the fruit is quite attractive. 86-88 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Faugères, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; enticing ripe fruit notes; some lift; spicy some VA and oak; density; quite ripe and dense; lots of material and tannin. OK 86-88 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013 [Later – slightly better note] Deep and saturated colour; ripe, some red fruits and pretty unctuous; rich palate with lots of oomph; black fruits; rich; quite sweet and ripe style. Chewy finish. 87-89+ Cercle de Rive Droite 10^th April 2013

Chateau Ferrand Lartigue, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; loose at edge; some chalkiness; some ripe Merlot; little spice; quite open and uncomplicated; spicy palate; fresh; then comes some acid and tannin; nevertheless the fruit is attractive in this wine and this should come round 85-87 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Figeac, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; healthy looking; polished nose; nice Cab on the nose; nothing feels green here; feels polished; palate initially fine; some stalky Cab; quite fine and will fill out. Elegant. Maybe a little angularity at the back. 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc 89-91 [Second tasting – much better note] Mid depth; healthy looking; lots of blackcurrant fruit and cream on the nose; much more enticing than earlier sample; purity; palate quite lush [a little more Merlot than usual in the blend]; nice balance on the palate with grip at the end but harmonious. 91-93 UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Fleur Cardinale, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Saturated at centre; ripe fruit; some red fruits and some fig; almost unctuous; good palate; lots of ripe Merlot and really easy on the palate; ripe and fresh [ish]. Not that much tannin or length but pretty good, early drinking, fruity effort. 86-88+ Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau Fombrauge, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep saturated colour; similarly enticing ripe fruit notes; some dark chocolate; gutsy with lots of extract and material; chewy with lots of fruit and extract; will come good. 87-89 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013 [Later] Deep and dark; lots of fruit; black cherry; pretty big and ripe; oak fully absorbed by the fruit; big and fat; attractive wine with lots of fruit. 89-91+ Cercle de Rive Droite 10^th April 2013

Chateau Fonplégade, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Very dense looking; big, thick and rich colour; deep and intense nose; resin plus fruit and extract; very deep but very modern; blackcurrants; some red fruits; spice and pine notes; lots of blackcurrant fruit on the palate; big, but not excessively so; nicely done in fact. Loads and loads of fruit her but none of that VA resin or overdone tannins so nicely handled. Excellent. 90-92 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau Fonroque, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Some density of colour; cherry freshness here; lifted in an acidic sense; spicy cherry; wine has freshness and bounce but also a lot of sappy qualities. I think this will work nicely. 87-88+ Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau Franc Mayne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Pretty saturated; healthy looking; nice pretty fruit; plump and ripe Merlot here; not too jammy; enticing; some lift; supple on the palate with a little resin; pretty chewy finish but good effort 90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc 87-89+ UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Godeau, St Emilion Grand Cru

Slightly sour, VA edge; not wonderfully attractive; dense palate, some pines and spicy tones but not great. 83-85 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; dark at core; less saturated than some at the edge; deep-ish aroma; something mineral and steely here; spicy too; cool and modest but with lots of flavour, this looked quite fresh, spicy and chewy St Emilion. 86-88 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Grand Corbin, St Emilion Grand Cru Classe

Deep and saturated; some wet rock and minerality; plenty of ripeness and some black cherry on the nose; spices; more grip on the palate. Should meld. 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 86-88 Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau Grand Corbin Despagne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; loose at edge; some pretty lift; red fruits; material and extract but lacks succulence of the best; nevertheless chewy and gutsy. 85-87 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau Grand Corbin Manuel, St Emilion Grand Cru

Blue fruit nose; some blueberry and cherry notes; some sour notes; palate tight with a green astringency; not unattractive more at the edge; there is some richness but remains lean; finishes with dry-ish tannins. May come round in elevage. 86-88 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Grand Mayne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; ripe and lifted Merlot; some red fruits, oak and spices; attractive; real plummy tones to the nose; creamy palate; very ripe and plus; some oak tannin here but this should be good. Chewy finish. 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon 88-90 UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Haut-Sarpe, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth, deep at centre, purple edge; smoke and violets on the nose; palate quite thick but then quickly becomes dry and over-extracted in feel. Very dry on the end. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. 84-86 Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau Haut-Segottes, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and arterial; little stewed on the nose; some earth; chunky and chewy palate. Dry and rustic finish. 83-85 Tasted Wednesday April 10, 2013 at La Fleur Bouard

Chateau Jean-Faure, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; bit green? Palate more promising than the nose suggests [ie less green] and richness here with some length]. Maybe it’s terroir? Better than I’d thought. 85-87 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013 [Later note – similarly inconsistent] Deep and black looking; tight to rim; thick and dense and feels a little tired and overworked? Sweet ripe palate with some spicy plummy fruit and toasty oak. Chewy finish. Palate better than nose suggested. 50% Cabernet Franc, 47% Merlot, 3% Malbec. 85-87 Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau La Commanderie, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; dark at core; looser red at edge; ripe fruit; not over-done; nice fruit; nice entry; ripe fruit good texture; mid-eight and some acid. Good St Emilion you have food with. Balanced and with texture and interest [and acid] 87-89+ Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013 [Later note] Deep and saturated; wet rocks, minerality; dense; ripe entry and quite lush and unctuous and then there is the tightness and drying aspect on the end. Chewy and a little disjointed on the palate. 50% new oak, MLF in oak and cold soak and pigeage. 13.5% alcohol 75% Merlot & 25% Cabernet Franc. Should settle 86-88 Tasted Weds 10^th April at La Fleur de Bouard

Chateau La Couspaude, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; lifted nose; pretty fruits; some spice and layers; feels plush again and nice vibrancy here; attractive palate with depth and purity and chew; very toasty finish. La Couspaude delivers flavoursome St Emilion. 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc. 89-91 UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau La Dominique, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and very saturated; Cabernet Franc here gives an earthy twist to the nose; deep; alongside the CF are wonderful plummy tones; this feels tighter than their 2011; red fruits and quite dense and pent up; then it opens up; fresh palate, good acidity and texture from the CF. Like this – usually do. Chewy finish. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc 91-93 UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau La Fleur, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated look; deeper; quite concentrated; some ripeness but also a streak of green [or freshness]; lots of blackcurrant flavours; not anti-this on the nose – it feels attractive; quite chewy palate with lots of density; rich and saturated with both fruit and tannin. 86-88 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau La Fleur d’Arthus, St Emilion Grand Cru

Dark and saturated look; deep and linear; some sour cherry; little vegetal note; rich palate and very dense but not [seemingly] unattractive; quite a lot of tannin to shed here but the wine feels quite right [apart from the faintest hint of green].  Spicy, oak dominated finish [in profile if not in aroma] means that this is overall less promising than I’d hoped. 85-86? Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau La Gaffelière, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep and dense but healthy looking; mineral and wet rock nose; some liquorice beneath; pretty solid palate but there is plumpness here too; nice chew and good length. La Gaffeliere is always pretty firm and masculine to me, not flamboyant. Dense. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc 90-92 UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau La Grangère, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; some ripe lifted notes; red fruits and late picked feel; not that much depth though; some spice too; along with very dry palate; spicy finish but a little dry and oak very evident [not integrated]. 84-86 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau La Marzelle, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated looking; little old fashioned on the nose; some dust and tannin; later opened out a touch; palate seems more tannic; darker and tannic [and dry]. Chewy on the finish, plenty of material but chewy and tanninc on the finish. 86-87 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

La Mondotte, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; real perfume lift with violets; very seductive; lots of black fruit tones; big palate but balanced and harmonious; extremely lush and loaded with flavour; lots of length on the finish. Big on flavour but manages not to feel overblown. 94-96+

Chateau La Prieuré, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Dense and saturated looking with colour up to the rim; oak influenced nose of some depth; some spice here and fruit compote notes; fresher, black fruit [cherry] spectrum; quite grippy and puckering; density and material; tannin will always be punctuation at the end of the wine. 86-88 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau La Serre, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; vibrant edge; sexy nose; open and lush with oak and violet tones; oak on the palate but the fruit is here; some grip; little angularity at the back; mid-depth overall. Perfumed and fresh. 87-88+

Chateau La Tour Figeac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; more red fruits; strawberry and redcurrant jam; confiture; concentrated palate; spices and more plummy tones now; little short on the end compared to La Gaffelière [tasted immediately before!]. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc 87-88+ UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Laplagnotte-Bellevue, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid red, deep core; purple at edge [loose]; spicy fruit; some depth; black fruits [plums/cherries]; some ripeness but quite modest on the palate; ripe yes but not over saturated or extracted; Small modest St Emilion Grand Cru. Also some dry spicy notes at the very end. 85-87 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Larcis Ducasse, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep and dense; very saturated look; ripe and thick aromas, very lifted; some minerals, wet rocks as well as black fruits – plums – and spices; ripe and pure; very attractive. Better showing here than at UGC. Chewy palate with lots of lush fruit and ripe flavours with lots of layers. Very ripe. 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc. 91-93+ Tasted Friday 12^th April 2013 at Chateau Pavie Macquin [Earlier] Deep and saturated look; plummy, spicy nose; some jam; very lifted with oak influence; palate very ripe and sweet; jam notes; some warmth; little bounce at end. 83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc. 89-91+ UGC Weds 10^th April 2013

Chateau Larmande, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; spicy notes; some undergrowth and red fruit tones; mid weight palate with more delicacy and obviously spicy Cabernet tones; little astringency at the back. Well balanced if it feels a little modest. 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 87-88 UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Laroze, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and dense; tight to rim; bubble gum, black cherry and plum; almost Moulin-a-Vent style; quite ripe palate with chewy fruit and some depth. Lots of fruit here. Not bad. 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 86-87+

Chateau Le Castelot, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and healthy looking; sweet ripe fruit with marzipan hints; chewy palate, angular with dry tannins 83-85 Tasted Wednesday April 10, 2013 at La Fleur Bouard

Le Dragon de Quintus, [2^nd wine of Chateau Quintus]

Vibrant purple colour; nice depth to the nose; some spice; quite polished; soft easy entry, nicely ripe and soft; good purity and precision; fresh finish. Soft and easy. 79% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc. 88-90 Tasted April 8, 2013 at Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion

Chateau Le Jurat, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; fresh and juicy nose with bounce and lift; creamy note; plenty of fruit on the palate, little drying on the end but this will work. Quite simple but plenty of fresh fruit. 86-88 Tasted Wednesday April 10, 2013 at La Fleur Bouard

Le Petit Cheval [2^nd wine of Chateau Cheval Blanc] Mid depth; healthy looking; nice delicacy on the nose; Cabernet Franc very evident; clean and elegant on the palate; good purity and nicely linear and no hard edges to the tannins; very fine; elegant and structured. Fresh finish. Not pushed at all, and will fill out. 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot. 90-92

Lynsolence, St Emilion Grand Cru

Very deep and saturated look, colour tight to the meniscus; deep and intense; some real sublimated notes; plums, black fruits along with some red; ripe and big in the palate; plenty of fruit to work with the structure and the spicy oak; yes there is some drying element but this works pretty well. Chewy and dense certainly. 87-89+ Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Magrez Fombrauge, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; round and nutty [oak]; some resin; quite clean palate; cut of acidity; fresh and sinewy but with sufficient body. Not a bad effort. If it fills out 86-88 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Patris, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated looking; earthy note, terroir? Immediately appealing nevertheless; very appetizing palate. Very good and appealing. 88-90 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Pas de l’Ane, St Emilion Grand Cru

Quite strong on the nose; some boiled sweet; some perfume and vibrancy; some Merlot perfume; then comes the dryness/astringency; this has a chalky palate with pretty drying tannins on the finish at present. 84-86 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Pavie Macquin, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated, tight to the rim; very pretty, lots of black fruits, chalk and spices; menthol and oak influence too; very rich and attractive; lushness here again; ripe and concentrated palate with some tension and minerality; lots of body and richness. Pretty chewy finish but lots and lots of fruit here [tannin too]. 92-94+ Tasted Friday 12^th April 2013 at Chateau Pavie Macquin [Earlier note] Deep and saturated colour; more mineral tones, some wet rocks and also strawberry jam notes; very ripe and lifted aspect; quite worked and oaky palate; little dryness but the finish is sweet and I’d expect it to settle. 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. 89-91+ UGC Weds April 10, 2013

Chateau Péby Faugeres, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; oak resin, sublimation and intensity; real VA lift [not me this]. Very rich palate with lots of oak and extract; very BIG and new world. Dry finish despite the ripe and rich fruity. Too worked and too much oak. 86-88? Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013 [Later] Deep and saturated colour; inky, resin; unctuous fruit; red fruits and lots of oak; very ripe fruit, jammy; chewy finish with coffee and mocha tones. Pretty exaggerated style. 100% Merlot 89-91 Cercle de Rive Droite 10^th April 2013

Chateau Pindefleurs, St Emilion Grand Cru

Attractive; dense and saturated look; similar to Trianon, but also ripe and attractive; nice vibrancy and bounce; very nice on the nose, little stream of green – lets call it freshness; palate has some astringency; chewy; quite spicy; not the ripest but it may settle. Though it finishes a little pinched. May fill out. 85-87 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Puy-Blanquet, Saint Emilion Grand Cru

Deep but vibrant looking; vibrant fruit tones on the palate; bounce and life here; some perfume; nice entry, vibrant and bouncy style; creamy fruit; fresh and spicy. Grip at the end. Nice and fresh. 87-88+

Chateau Quinault L’Enclos, Grand Cru Classé, St Emilion Deep core; healthy colour; spicy tones; cool and fresh palate; vibrant; some spice and perfume; elegant and balanced. Good length. 90-92

Chateau Quintus, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; purple edge; very poised and focused nose; pretty and perfumed; lots of layers and depth here; much more layered than 2011; sweet entry, ripe fruit with a satin quality; real finesse and a substantial improvement on 2011 all round. Very good length. Delicate and silky. 89% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc 92-94 Tasted April 8, 2013 at Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion

Chateau Ripeau, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; saturated; attractive, sweet fruit; not over aromatic but present; more compact some drying qualities [extraction] – feels like there is sufficient fruit. Chewy finish. 85-87 Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau Roc de Boisseaux, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and dense; pretty violets, some plum; bouncy and fresh; nice ripe fruit on the palate; supple effort with some minerality; chewy finish. Quite dense overall. 86-88 Tasted Wednesday April 10, 2013 at La Fleur Bouard

Chateau Rol Valentin, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and dense; some purple at the edge; some plums, red fruits, prunes and cherry notes; chewy palate, oak influenced; some spice and marzipan; enough flesh to cover the bones I reckon. 86-88 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Roylland, St Emilion Grand Cru

Dense-ish; little vegetal whiff and some perfume from the oak; spices; this is probably green; palate has some density and depth but there is lots of oak and spicey, vegetal notes here on the palate. May very well settle but a little green on the finish to me. Chewy end. 84-86? Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Saint-Georges Côte Pavie, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Fresh and ripe; vibrant and bouncy flavours; almost Morgon-style; cherry etc; palate has lots of sour cherry notes; quit lively with piquant acid but plenty of fruit. Lively and bouncy. 87-89+ Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Sanctus du Chateau La Bienfaisance, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; ripe Merlot; some marzipan hints [not overripe]; some mineral qualities too; mid depth; fresh; easy but with reasonable concentration [mid weight]. Nice and clean. Good St Emilion. 87-89 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Sansonnet, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Saturated and thick in the glass with a little more purple in the edge than Deep in aroma; some oak here; lots of plum, black cherry and black fruit notes; but also freshness and some spice; attractive palate with plummy, spicy fruit which feel fresh and vibrant; very nice satisfying grip and texture on the palate. This could be very good indeed. 89-91+ Tasted blind at Cercle de Rive Droite Sunday April 7, 2013

Chateau Soutard, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Very deep and saturated; deep aromas; plums, spices; pretty unctuous; oak too; full and lush entry; lots of fruit; not over-extracted but pretty big. Some chew at the back. Should be very good. 89-91+ UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Trianon, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep colour; attractive; Ripe nose, perfume and bounce; some layers here too, warm; chewy, spicy if a little old fashioned – there are some red fruits on the palate – little pinched on the finish but may fill out. Good-ish length. 85-87 Cercle Rive Droite April 7, 2013

Chateau Trimoulet, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and dense, lots of depth and density in the glass; pretty perfume and lift; plums and spices; soma oak beneath; some mincemeat; pretty lush; ripe entry on the palate, nice minerality; sap and freshness; very correct with nice purity; emphasis on the fruit. Very good. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. 88-90 Tasted 12^th April at Chateau Pavie-Macquin. [Earlier note] Pretty dense and saturated look, not that tight to the edge; ripe and some red fruits but also quite fresh; some perfumed and strawberry notes; spices; fresh palate; stalky and plummy fruit with some cool oak; some drying on the finish. I expect this will fill up during élevage. 86-88 Tasted blind at the Cercle de Rive Droite, Sunday 7^th April 2013.

Chateau Troplong Mondot, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Very dense and deep looking; very lush and unctuous nose but quite pure; layered and extremely plush; palate very full with lots of extract and all the oak soaked up here. Very big and fat but there is some freshness too which means the wine can do up its belt. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 93-95+ UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Trottevielle, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé

Deep looking; Cabernet Franc influence on the nose [as ever]; spicy and nice delicacy and freshness; palate is quite tight but there is a focused seam of fruit; pretty focused maybe a little angular on the finish. 49% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon 89-91+ UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Chateau Valandraud, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé Deep and saturated and very arterial in colour; lifted; ripe and very lush; very bold statement; extremely lush palate; quite sublimated style; chewy; very big indeed but extracted very nicely; tannins, many of them, seem extremely fine. Lots of wood on the finish presently with a fair bit of chew. Very good length. Very unctuous style but retains freshness. 15,000 bottles made. 100% Merlot 94-96+ Friday April 12 at Jean-Luc Thunevin

Chateau Villemaurine, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; dark; spices and cake like nose; sweetness from oak; some plum tones and lift; creamy palate; freshness too; pretty lush overall; nice tension and interest here. Chewy finish but will work well 89-91+ UGC Wednesday April 10, 2013

Virginie de Valandraud [2^nd wine of Chateau Valandraud] Deep and saturated; dark and arterial looking; colour extremely tight to the meniscus; lots of violet lift and very lush again; ripe and rich palate with plenty of matter here and also fair bit of oak; lashings of everything; lots of density. Big wine. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 35,000 bottles produced. 90-92 Tasted Friday April 12 at Jean-Luc Thunevin

 Chateau Soutard – pretty wine in 2012 and hosted the UGC St Emilion event