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Bordeaux 2014: St Emilion

Written by JW. Posted in Bordeaux

DSC02809Overall 2014 is an impressive vintage judging from what was in the glass in many of the St Emilion’s tasted during primeurs week last month. There is perhaps more weight and structure than 2012 [itself a very good vintage in St Emilion] and, overall, 2014 is probably the best since 2009 and 2010. It also has greater apparent acidity than in those two years. What’s exciting is the combination of the freshness, the aromatics and the depth in the best wines. There are also excellent wines at all levels, not just at the top echelons. That means there is value to be had in 2014, where the price is right. Overall it is undoubtedly an excellent year for Cabernet Franc here. The variety loved the Indian summer. Merlot is also impressive on the best terroirs. It’s a generalization, but the wines seemed less over-extracted than usual, with greater emphasis on proportionality and harmony. This may be the vintage speaking, but let’s hope it reflects more balanced, adaptive winemaking approaches. And even where properties have gone hell for leather, generally the ball stays in the air. The notes on the following 107 wines represents my most comprehensive primeurs tastings yet of the wines of St Emilion.

I’ve reported on many of the top wines in previous posts. Top of the tree this year is Château Angélus, closely followed by Château Valandraud, La Mondotte, Château Cheval Blanc, Château Pavie, Château Beauséjour and Château Figeac. Many of these have a fair proportion of Cabernet Franc in their blends [though not exclusively so]. The order of these wines will probably shift during elévage – there are so many moving elements to assess early on and these first tastings are only a snapshot of future promise.

Close behind these properties is a large group of chateaux which have also produced very impressive St Emilion in 2014. This group includes Château Larcis Ducasse, Château Pavie Macquin, Chateau Pavie Decesse and Chateau Bellevue Mondotte. There are powerful efforts too from Château Canon-la-Gaffelière and Château Troplong Mondot. Château Canon, Château Belair Monange and Clos Fourtet also show impressive purity and depth and will probably fill out further during elévage. Château Quintus has also produced its best wine since it was created in 2011.

At the Union des Grand Crus tasting held at Clos Fourtet, aside from some of the above, I was also impressed with Château Berliquet, Château La Dominique, Château La Gaffelière, Château Grand Mayne, Château Soutard, Château La Tour Figeac and Chateau Villamaurine.

As mentioned at the top, there is value to be had in 2014 St Emilion and there were a number of wines that shone when tasted blind at the Grand Cercle’s event held at Chateau Bellefont-Belcier. Amongst the St Emilion Grand Crus Classés, I was especially impressed by Château Barde-Haut [wine of the tasting there], Château La Marzelle, Château Déstieux, Château Fonplégade, Château Fleur Cardinale, Château de Pressac, Château Sannonet, Château Fombrauge and Château Le Prieuré. Château Bellefont-Belcier was also good.

Amongst the St Emilion Grand Cru I was also impressed by Château Boutisse [a regular over-achiever], Château Le Fleur, Château du Parc, Clos Debreuil, Château La Grangère, Chateau Trimoulet, Clos Les Grandes Versannes, Château Patras, Château Trianon and Château Rol Valentin. I was also impressed by the sappy and juicy Château Puy Blanquet and Château La Serre tasted separately at Jean-Pierre Moueix.

The notes on the following hundred plus wines are in alphabetical order, and the words, as ever, are more important than the numbers. The major omissions here are Château Ausone and Château Tertre Roteboeuf. Both Château Trottevielle and Château Beau-Séjour-Bécot didn’t show at the UGC for some reason. I hope to catch up with all of these at some point soon.

Angélique de Monbousquet, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep at centre; healthy purple at edge; wet rocks; mineral; some black chocolate and black cherry note; black cherry; some mineral tones; textured; some grit and will fill in; minerally finish. [60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cebernet Sauvignon, 3.08 acid, 3.79Ph, alc 13.2%, 60% new oak]. Tasted Ch Pavie 3 April 2015. Drink 2018-2025. 86-88

Château Angélus, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘A’

Deep and saturated colour; tight to the rim; opaque at centre; substantial and deep if a little closed at first; some perfume; layers but this is pent up; glossy quality; tight entry; nice seam of fruit; very packed but also very precise; like the precision; slowly opens up on the mouth; lots of extract and matter but the thing here is precision; some warmth on the back end which suggests alcohol; but the precision of the fruit and the seamless narrative of the wine are the thing. Fine quality of the tannins is good. Very good length. Lots of matter here and gravity. [50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc, harvest 2-22 October]. Tasted Angélus 29 March, 2015. Drink 2022-2035. 95-97

Arômes de Pavie, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep at centre; redder at edge [less purple]; black cherry; morello cherry; wet rocks and some minerality; attractive fruit beneath; purity; nice sweet texture; layered on the palate; some spice; balanced; nice freshness and tension; good length on the finish. Needs to fill out a little. Elegant. [70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.6% alc, 3.85pH, 3.25TA, yield 36hl/ha 80% new oak]. Tasted Ch Pavie 3 April 2015. Drink 2018-2025. 87-89

Château Balestard La Tonnelle, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; deepish look; vibrant edge; ripe black fruits; purity this year; fruitcake like spices; some wet rocks; red fruits too; chewy and dense on the palate; extract; some oak tannins; chewy and a little extracted and dry on the finish. Nice fruit, but stewed on the end. [70% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Drink 2019-2028. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 85-87

Château Bel Air Ouÿ, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; less depth than some; earthy purple red at edge; spicy, plum fruit; some fresh cherry; stone fruit too; ripe attack; sweet ripe fruit; plums and cherry; medium weight but nice sap and freshness. Pretty good. Nice sap and vigour. Tasted Jean-Luc Thunevin, 3 April, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 87-89+

Château Belair-Monange, St Emilion Grand Cru Classe, ‘B’

Mid depth; deep at core; fresh and delicate perfume; spice and plum; red fruits; satin; palate has chalky wet rock minerality; substantial; vibrant and nice acid again; lovely purity; wet rock and some chalk; [second sample] fresher bottle – substantial; little unyielding but very pure aromatics; palate has density and poise but also freshness; real purity too; some of that wet rock chalk notes; but lovely acid and freshness and juicy fruit too. Tasted JP Moueix 1 April, 2015. Drink 2020-2035. 92-94

Château Barde-Haut, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated colour; tight to the rim; ripe and rich; evidently concentrated; very rich but not jammy; well handled; sexy and nicely done; sweet ripe fruit but still very Bordeaux; this works wonderfully; lush and lavish but not at all overdone; brilliant effort. Best wine of the Grand Cercle tasting. Terrific effort. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 17ha]. Drink 2018-2030. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 92-94+

Château Beauséjour [héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse], St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘B’

Deep and saturated; vibrant purple at edge; perfume; layers of fruit; quite pent up; wonderful stuff; spices; black cherry; plums but really creamy; layers and attractive stuff; nice entry; sweet fruit; purity and clean; nice width and mouthfeel; creamy at the edge but minerality too. Chalky note on the end. Lots of material – spicy finish. Very concentrated but fruit is sweet and attractive. Lovely stuff. [95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted 3 April at Château Pavie-Macquin. Drink 2022-2035. 94-96+

Château Bellefont Belcier, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Good depth and colour; full; some spices and sturdy fruit; some sour cherry; palate has gloss and perfume; cooler and nicely balanced palate; nice balance and texture. [72% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 86-88+

Château Bellevue, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated glossy colour; meaty and sturdy on the nose; masculine; sweet entry to the fruit; oak but nicely integrated; plenty of depth; some perfume; chew and extract but the tannins are very nicely handled; savoury and meaty tones [but not in the bretty sense]; extract and bite on the finish together with some alcoholic warming. Full certainly. [100% Merlot]. Drink 2018-2025. 89-91

Château Bellevue Mondotte, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated look; opaque at centre; dense; spicy; some menthol notes; black cherry and plum; packed with fruit on the nose; mineral quality; nice fruit on the opening; almost glossy but lots of oak and fruit tannins here; chewy and textured with warmth from alcohol on the finish. Density and extract. Spicy finish. Chewy finish – though less so than Pavie Decesse. Has length certainly and gravity. [90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.8% alc, 3.4TA, 3.52pH, 20hl/ha, 100% new oak]. Tasted Ch Pavie 3 April 2015. Drink 2022-2030. 92-94+

Château Berliquet, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep in the middle; earthy purple at edge; black cherry; minerality; nice lift and spices; nice ripe fruit; supple; perfume a bit; cherry some plum tones; nice length at the back. Good length and elegant finish. [75% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon,14% alc]. Tasted 3 April at Château Pavie-Macquin. Drink 2019-2030. 89-91+ [Earlier tasting note] Deep and saturated colour; fresh at edge; some gloss and depth; sweet ripe entry to the fruit; some purity; needs to fill out a fraction; quite mineral and wet rock; plenty of extract and chew with nicely pure fruit; good length; impressive length. Drink 2020-2030. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 89-91+

Château Boutisse, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; close to rim; glossy; nicely handled oak; some liqourice and rich fruits; attractive and very composed; full and attractive plum and blackcurrant fruit on the palate; like this this is attractive St Emilion. Nice flavour and texture on the palate. Good chew and extract. This will work well. Layers and nice fruit and well handled . [85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Carménere, 25ha]. 2018-2025. Tasted Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 89-91+

Château Canon, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘B’

Mid depth; healthy looking; earthy purple at edge; purity; ripe fruit; deeper; some spicy notes from the oak and the fruit; blackcurrant and plum tones come through on the palate; perfume/floral qualities; nice clean pure fruit on the entry; just how I like it; elegance and harmony; not gritty or chewy; complete; nice finish; spicy on the end; trace of alcohol on the finish. [72% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% alc, 70% new oak]. Tasted at Canon 3 April, 2015. Drink 2022-2030+ 92-94+

Château Canon-la-Gaffelière, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘B’

Deep and saturated colour; lovely fat seam of fruit; bold, dense and concentrated; some chocolate; glossy ripe entry once again; this is polished and creamy St Emilion; wonderful texture to the palate; very harmonious; good concentration on the finish. Very good length. Palate very impressive. Very good wine indeed. [55% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.5% alc, 24 hl/ha, 70% new oak, harvested 25/9-09/10]. Tasted Canon-la-Gaffelière 1st April ’15. Drink 2020-2030. 92-94+ [second note at UGC] Deep and saturated look; very deep core; ripe; glossy and polished; voluptuous on the nose; black cherry; some spice; velvety palate; plenty of extract and chew but structured nicely; some grip; nice fruit and texture overall. Mineral and wet rock tones too. Substantial and long St Emilion. [55% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5%, 24 hl/ha, picked 25/9-9/10]. Drink 2019-2035. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 92-94.

Château Cap de Mourlin, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated looking; dark core; vibrant edge; liquorice and black fruits; some tar; lift; very ripe and bold; palate a little hard at first; oak dominant; needs to settle more; nice ripe fruit promises much; little jam on the finish and rather chewy and extracted on the end. [65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Drink 2019-2028. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 85-87

Le Carillon d’Angélus, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated at the core; looser at the edge [than Angélus]; seductive; black fruits; some spice and savoury notes; very attractive and forward; sexy almost; smoke and meats; sweet entry; nice balance; savoury and sexy to a degree; lots of matter and structure but all very together; complete experience. Very good effort. Tannin and warmth on the finish. [70% Merlot, 30% Cabernets]. Tasted Angélus 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2028. 90-92+

Château Carteau Côtes Daugay, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; earthy red at edge; earthy note; some chalk; some wet rock; mid depth on the palate; chew at the finish; some chalky notes in the middle; chewy finish. [73% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 84-86

Château Castelot, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid red; saturated at centre; jammy and marzipan Merlot; ripe and full; ripe juucy red fruits with some oak [gives satny feel]; quite plush; jam here; bit of extract. Easy finish. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 87-89

Château Cheval Blanc, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘A’

Deep and healthy colour; dark at the core; fresh looking at edge; purple; deep aromatics; blackcurrants and black cherry; elegant and sophisticated; structured palate; complexity; lots of blackcurrant fruit; depth; cool fruit characters no jam; nicely proportional and very good length on the end; matter and extract here but polished and balanced. Will be excellent. [55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, 13.1% alc, 75% of harvest, 100% new oak]. Drink 2022-2032. 94-96+

Château Cheval Noir, “Cuvee le Fer,” St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; healthy look; little stewed; chalky with some freshness; Grip on the finish. Fresh styled. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4.5ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 83-85+

Clos Badon-Thunevin, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated style; opaque at centre; colour tight to rim; earthy purple; lovely plummy fruit; very ripe but not jammy; cake spices; fruitcake notes; creamy; some liquorice notes from the oak; ripe entry; sweet; spicy; very full and ripe; spices and plums. Great effort. Nice finish. Creamy. Satisfying. Little chew perhaps. Tasted Jean-Luc Thunevin, 3 April, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 90-92+

Clos Debreuil, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; dark at core; some creamy plum tones; little light aromatically; chew and extract; some plummy purity; this should ascend during elévage; has quite high tannin but also good purity and nice sheen to the fruit. Will work out nicely. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4.2ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2023. 86-88+

Clos Fourtet, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘B’

Mid depth; fresh aromas; black fruits; plums; clean and pure; nice fruit on the palate; plums and black fruits; grip and structure and has all the elements; little closed but not disjointed. Length on the finish. [85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc]. Drink 2022-2035. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 90-92+ [second note] Deep and glossy looking; fresh fruit; real purity; creamy blackcurrant tones; ripe plums; glossy and sweet fruit on the palate; attractive; blackcurrants; spices; acidity; freshness; very bright; nice fruit and balance; harmonious and good length. [89% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted 1st April, 2015 Clos Fourtet. Drink 2022-2035. 92-94

Clos Les Grandes Versannes, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated look; fine pure aromas of blackcurrant and plums; nice; really well done here; very attractive and accomplished aromatics; nicely done again on the palate; clean; some spice; texture and some grip; needs to settle but all the elements there. Good length [if a little woody on the finish]. [75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2025 87-89+

Clos des Jacobins, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Saturated colour; red purple at edge; earthy plummy, sexy pain grille very attractive aromatics; full palate; attractive fruit and depth; plums and spices; nice chew and extract; good wine and solid effort. [80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5ha]. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2028. 89-91+

Clos de Madeleine, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; dark at centre; slightly looser meniscus; fragrant aromatics; violets, plums; very attractive; very nice purity to the aromatics; medium weight; fresh; elegant palate; nicely handled; will fill out and well-measured. Good length. Chew on the very end but that just suggest longevity. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 2.2ha]. Drink 2017-2028. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 88-90+ [Earlier note] Deep and saturated; earthy red at edge; briary and brambly fruits with red fruit tones; some silk; stone and wet rock notes along with red fruit tones; certain elegance. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 2.3ha]. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 86-88

Clos de L’Oratoire, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; lovely violet lift; full and glossy aromatics; lashings of fruit here; saturated but attractive; sweet ripe entry; lots of fruit here and then oak; needs to meld a fraction but the glossy quality of the fruit should easily do that; lots of extract and matter on the end but no sense of dryness. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 50% new oak. Yield 40hl/ha, harvested 3/10-10/10]. Tasted Canon-la-Gaffelière 1st April ’15. Drink 2019-2028. 91-92+

Château La Commanderie, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Saturated colour; legs; earthy purple; sour cherry with briary tones; stone fruits; ripe fruit; strawberry and cherry flavours on the palate; some depth; chewy finish. Some style. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc 3.7ha]. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 87-89

Château La Couspaude, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; soft, satiny red fruits; toasty oak; ripe strawberries; plums; toast again; fruit and oak at present; little disjointed; lots of wood to integrate with the fruit; little submerged presently; extracted and bit dry on finish. Needs to settle and possibly a bit over-cooked. [75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc]. Drink 2019-2028. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 85-87?

Château Côte du Baleau, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; pretty fruit on the nose; violets; lift; satin fruit and spices; very pretty; nice palate; some oak; chew and extract; nice material; vibrant finish. 15 hectare vineyard with three soils – limestone, clay and sand. Good stuff. [85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% alc, 70% new oak]. Tasted Clos Fourtet. Drink 2019-2028. 88-90

Château La Croizelle, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; strikingly vibrant at edge; little vegetal note; some prunes and plums perhaps; prunes and cherry come through on the palate; little meager on the finish; chewy at the end too. [85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2022. 82-84

Croix Canon, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; purple at rim; some fragrance; nice and pure; fresh; perfume; ripe plums; nice sweet entry; harmonious and layered; delicate; nice delicacy; stone fruits and nice balance; freshness; delicacy. [91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 14% alc, 18 months of ageing in 30% new oak]. Tasted 3 April, 2015 at Chateau Canon. Drink 2019-2025. 89-91+

Château Croix Cardinale, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated look; some jam, violet and lift; quite appealing aromatics; full and fat on the palate with oak influence; bit heavy handed on the oak at present; has nice fruit but the oak is dominant. Spicy finish – little dry at present but should work out. 2018-2025. [62% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, 4.5ha]. Tasted Grand Cercle, 29th March, 2015. 85-87

Château Croix de Labrie, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; red at edge; yoghurt; some cherry notes; sweet entry; yoghurt notes; some blackcurrant fruit here; lacks complexity but will probably be OK when it clears up. [100% Merlot, 2.5ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2017-2022. 83-84

Château Dassault, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; ripe creamy black fruits; toasty oak; ripe and pretty fruit; extracted in the middle; disjointed; needs to meld; little dry on the finish; extract and chew dominate at present. [75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Drink 2020-2028. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 85-87

Château Daugay, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; slightly more earthy purple at edge; black cherry, plums with pretty violet perfume; nice saturation; big but needs a bit more tightness; very open and overt but lacks a bit in the middle; quite hefty on the alcohol and warming on the finish. [70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Drink 2018-2025. 88-90

Château Déstieux, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; sublimated; little on the jammy side; very ripe and rich; kind of junior Larcis Ducasse; sweet, ripe entry; full and toasty; red fruits and satin; lots of toast, pain grillé, red fruits and strawberry tones. Excellent effort in a more open, ravishing style. [66% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Drink 2017-2025. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 89-91+

Château La Dominique, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep saturated look; black centre; ripe red and black fruits; deep; little dumb at first; then plums and black cherry come across; creamy attack; plums and black cherries again; ball of extract; some chew but also freshness. Should settle well. [85% Merlot, Cabernet Franc 15%]. Drink 2020-2030. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 89-91+

Le Dragon de Quintus

Mid depth; purple at edge; fresh briary and brambly fruit; some bubblegum; prettiness; little oak beneath; some intensity; acidity and freshness; quite nervous and high toned; elegant; lacks a bit of stuffing on the finish but may in-fill. [77% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc]. Drink 2019-2025. 86-88

Château Faugères, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; purple and red at edge; red fruits and concentrated edge; sexy and open; sweetness here aromatically; chalky palate; some fruit and spice; mid weight; bit grippy and gutsy in the end. Oak on the finish. Needs to settle. [85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 85-87+

Château de Ferrand, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; black at centre; melded nose; fat with full aspects; spices and menthol; ripe; thick and extracted palate but not too overdone; chewy finish. I think this has been overdone. Chewy and extracted finish. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2018-2025. 84-86?

Château Ferrand Lartigue, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; chalky wet rock notes; some spices; wet rock notes; quite modest in scale and length. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6ha]. Drink 2018-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 83-85

Château Figeac, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘B’

Lovely fresh looking colour; bold; very pure; lovely blackcurrant aromatics; beautiful perfume; layered; quite exceptional; cool entry; nicely proportional; plenty of extract and matter but nicely polished; will flesh out further; intriguing wine; excellent balance; supple tannins on the finish. Excellent Figeac. Impressive. [40% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% new oak pH 3.7, 13% alc, yield 33hl/ha]. Drink 2020-2035. 93-95

Château Fleur Cardinale, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and very saturated; very dark and opaque overall; little mocha and chocolate notes; kirsch; feels full beneath; some sweetness from oak; full and sweet entry to the fruit; ripe and lashings of it; sweet finish and ripe tannin; oak on the end and perhaps dips a fraction. [75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5ha]. Drink 2018-2028. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 87-89  

Château La Fleur, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; red at edge; marzipan and violet notes with sour cherry; grip and texture but with good purity; quite like the fresh plums and fruits here; this has some style and poise. Little chewy at the back but should settle nicely. Drink 2019-2026. [92% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6.3ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 87-89

Château Le Fleur d’Arthus, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; arterial; up to rim; glossy; ripe cherry notes; some cream; feels full; weighty but with some balancing acidity; freshness; little chunky perhaps; rather foursquare St Emilion; chewy finish. Gutsy but tannic. Should come good post elévage. [100% Merlot, 2.5ha]. Tasted blind 29 March 2015 Grand Cercle tasting. Drink 2018-2025. 84-86

Château Fombrauge, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated colour; inky and sublimated but not jammy; plummy and black cherry purity; some liquorice and menthol tones too; ripe and attractive fruit; glossy bit also substantial; chew and tannin here on the finish that suggests complexity and longevity. Excellent. [89% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 58ha]. Drink 2020-2030. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 90-92+

Château Fonplégade, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated colour; tight to the rim and black at centre; full and saturated aromatics; rich plummy tones; fat; palate loaded with sweet fruit and extract; little oak spice to integrate; very fat and full of extract; chewy twist to the finish and a degree of alcohol. Impressive. [95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 18.5ha]. Drink 2020- 2028. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 90-92+

Château Fonroque, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; some cherry tones; light but fragrant; little candy sweetness too; some dryness on the palate; chalky note; little stretched [though may fill out]; chewy and full of fruit on the finish. Gutsy. [85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7ha]. Drink 2018-2023. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 85-87

Château Franc Mayne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; fruitcake tones; spicy plum and prune; very ripe; liquorice; glossy entry; oak on the palate; very hard in the middle currently; lots of chewy extract and guts but feeling very raw and extracted at present. See how it settles. Extracted and oaked style certainly. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 13.5% alc, 50% new oak]. Drink 2019-2028. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 84-87?

Château La Gaffelière, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘B’

Deep and saturated look; elegant and supple fruit on the nose; vibrancy; little wet rock; mineral note; fine palate; substance; wet rock; little dryness but La Gaffeliere always seems to fill out well; good purity; some spice and freshness on the finish. Length. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc]. Drink 2020-2030. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 89-91+

Château Godeau, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated look; little marzipan; some toast; nutty palate; bit confused this sample; fruit has descended; chewy and dry finish. [95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 7ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 81-83

Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; deep centre; vibrant rim; some spice/plum and sour cherry; little spice; quite spicy; fullish with grip and texture; some chew to resolve at the end. Needs to settle. Has plenty of elements. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 15ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle, 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 85-87+

Château Grand Corbin, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; earthy red at edge; stalky; briary and red stone fruit; some spices and sour cherry; full palate; sour cherry and will fill out further; chalky notes; finishes with some alcohol and a little loose perhaps. [85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 86-88

Château Grand Corbin Despagne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; chalk/mineral trifle whiff of sweat; little liqourice; mineral; elegant on the mid palate; lacks the stuffing compared with the best; modest, chalky flavours. Some spices on the finish. [75% Merlot. 24% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 84-86

Château Grand Corbin Manuel, St Emilion Grand Cru

Lighter red; red fruits; little briary notes; fresh; some sap and vigour; largely one dimensional St Emilion; some chew and dryness to the finish. Modest. [80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2022. 82-84

Château Grand Mayne, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated colour; dark core; forward, ripe red fruits; some black cherry components; very glossy and ripe; not too jammy though a little; nice palate; extract but nicely handled; grip on the finish. Good effort here. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc]. Drink 2019-2028. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 88-90

Château Grand Murailles, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Attractive; depth; nice core; lots of fruit; lifted and attractive; very pretty black cherry; ripe strawberries; pure; sweet and ripe on the palate; oak noticeable but will meld and there is plenty of fruit here; supple tannins; lots of fruit here. [100% Merlot, 100% new oak, 2ha plot]. Drink 2019-2028. 89-91+

Château La Grangère, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; quite full looking; vibrant at edge; some cherry; plum; freshness; little spice; red fruits too; spicy easy and open St Emilion; I like this; plenty of red fruit and spicy tones; good stuff; nice texture; mid-weight St Emilion – spicy style. [75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 6 ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2024. 86-88+

Château Haut-Sarpe, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid red; sat at centre; VA lift and some red fruits; strawberry tones; full and chalky fruit; drying and feels a tad over extracted at this point; also quite warm; overall palate sensation is that it’s been overdone at this stage. May settle. Others to go for first. [70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 19ha]. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 84-86

Château Jean Faure, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; earthy purple at edge; oaky; slight VA lift here; some satin red fruits; late picked style; kirsch and eau de vie; satin on the palate; lacks density in the middle; some chalk and wet rocks on the palate; loose finish. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 85-87

Château Laplagnott-Bellevue, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; some spicy plum tones; chalky note and some mineral tones; freshness and spices; not full and rich but may fill out; not dry and extracted. Mi weight and some freshness. [70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 6 ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 84-86

Château Larcis Ducasse, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘B’

Deep and saturated colour; bold and glossy; ripe and glossy; creamy fruit with that satin quality; cassis; ripe plums and cherries; some degree of voluptuousness on the nose; black chocolate and spices too; creamy; some oak to integrate; plenty of fruit; texture; lift; substantial and plenty of extract but glossy and voluptuous. Nice chew and saturated. Textured finish. [85% Merlot 15% Cabernet Franc alc14.1]. Tasted 3 April at Château Pavie-Macquin. Drink 2020-2035. 93-95 [Earlier tasting] Deep colour on nose; ripe and satiny nose; little strawberry; sublimated red fruits; depth of fruit on the palate; oak influence but integrated; this is substantial St Emilion; grip and freshness too. Very good effort. Length. Larcis Ducasse is fast becoming a favourite St Emilion of mine in the rich and ripe category. Drink 2020-2030. 5. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 92-94+

Château Larmande, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; some purple at edge; ripe and spicy; earthy note; little compact and dry on the palate; dry on the finish too. Bit hard and disjointed on the day. Not sure where this is headed. [65% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Drink 2019-2025. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. 83-86?

Château Larose, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; deepish with vibrant edge; clean and chalky aromas; little modest in comparison with some of the above; chalky palate; lacks the unctuous of some of the above. Ok and the fruit my come out better later. Bit dry on the finish. [66% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27.5ha]. Drink 2017-2023. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 85-87. [Earlier note] Deep and saturated too; slightly looser at edge; chalk and wet rock notes; some red fruit and lift; red fruits some satin; lots of chew and extract here. [68% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27ha]. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 86-88

Château Lusseau, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep at centre; earthy red at edge; sweet; some menthol and spices; red fruits and a little strawberry jam; ripe entry; some red fruits; little black cherry and spicy plum [high toned]; quite fresh palate with grip at the end. Tight. Spicey finish. [70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.2% alc, 3.48TA, 3.65pH, 50% new oak; 2 ha property]. Tasted Pavie 3 April, 2015. Drink 2019-2026. 87-89+

Lynsolence, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deepish; saturated at centre; full, creamy aromatics; some fatness here; quite chewy and extracted on the palate; flesh but still lean in feel in the middle; needs to fill out. Lean and austere finish. [100% Merlot, 2.5ha]. Drink 2019-2025 83-85

Château Magnan La Gaffelière, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; dark at centre; full aromatics; plums; spicy notes; little grip; chewy finish. [75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 84-86

Château Magrez-Fombrauge, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; dark core; full attractive aromatics; nice fat fruit with chalky notes; palate is gutsy; with depth; will probably fill out further; some chew and grip on the finish. Needs a few years to settle. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc]. 2017-2025. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 86-88

Château La Marzelle, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; dark at core; cool and pure; very nicely handled aromatics; fat marzipan plummy qualities; but also tight and contained really nicely; full and very concentrated; like this; has chalky notes but also nicely done; has length and nice tightness on the end but overall very linear and accomplished. [75% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Drink 2020-2030. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 91-93+

Château Monbousquet, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep colour; earthy purple at rim; spices, minerals; crushed rocks; plums, morello cherry come out; some fragrance and perfume; some density but also sweetness and texture to the fruit; has freshness; little tight perhaps on the palate currently; proportional; spices, minerals and plums on the end; dryish on the finish but should fill out. Elegant style of Monbousquet. [60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.86% alc, 3.2TA, 3.84pH, yield 35hl/ha, 60% new oak]. Tasted Pavie 3 April, 2015. Drink 2020-2030. 89-91+

La Mondotte

Deep and saturated; opaque; glossy, satiny nose; substance beneath; minerality too; liquorice and lift; satin fruit on the palate; very elegant and voluptuous; caressing fruit; subtly jam packed with fruit in fact; lots of extract here; takes you by surprise; little oak on the finish to integrate. Excellent length. Prodigious and deceptively powerful. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 13.9% alc, 100% new oak, 4.5ha estate. Yield 18hl/ha, harvested 27/9-10/10]. Tasted Canon-la-Gaffelière 1st April ’15. Drink 2019-2032. 94-96+

Château Mondrion, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; red fruits, some marzipan notes; chalky note; some spices and texture; needs to fill out; dips a fraction but goodish matter at the end. [79% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 12.44ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 83-85

Château Paradis, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated; bold at centre; purity; wet rocks; some menthol; ripe Merlot; satin and red fruits; wet rocks; extract but kinda works; chalky finish with extract. [67% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5ha]. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 85-87

Château du Parc, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; reddish at edge; some fruit cake; little Pontefract cakes [liquorice for the non English!]; red fruits; fat entry on the palate; plenty of extract and matter; quite impressive; full and plummy in the ripe spectrum; nicely balanced between the fruit and the texture. Extracted to a degree but should settle ok. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2025. 86-88+

Château Pas de l’Ane, St Emilion Grand Cru

Big saturated and bold colour; fat and full; creamy plum tones; feels very full; some wood; quite big; marzipan and chalk notes; bold; then come the tanins; chewy and rather hard [wood tannins] on the finish. May settle. [55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, 3ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2023. 84-86

Château Patris, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated colour; tight to the rim; very nicely pure fruit; blackcurrant and black cherry notes; fresh and strong; black cherry fruit flavours with good concentration; had nice acidity and freshness; grip on the finish. [95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11.4ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 87-89+

Château Pavie, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘A’

Deep and saturated colour; black at centre; floral tones on the nose; very nice Cabernet elements; purity; layered and pretty dense; very good plummy fruit beneath; minerally and textured on the palate but has a roundness and sweetness too the fruit; glossy; excellent fruit quality; dense; extract; lots of matter; this feels impressive; mineral; lots of matter; density; plums and black cherry; strong tannins on the finish. This will work out very nicely. Masculine and bold. [60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.2% alc, 3.85TA, 3.59pH, 34hl/ha 80% new oak]. Tasted Pavie 3 April, 2015. Drink 2022-2035. 93-95+

Château Pavie-Decesse, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated colour; opaque at centre; very ripe and full; some jam; spices and menthol; plum jam and a little prune; full of extract and matter; brighter feel on the palate; very low yields here; dense and sublimated style on the palate; texture; spices; dense; matter; chewy finish. Impressive concentration and weight of matter. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 13.7% alc, 3.6TA, 3.53pH, yield 18hl/ha, 80% new oak]. Tasted Pavie 3 April, 2015. Drink 2022-2032. 92-94

Château Pavie Macquin, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘B’

Deep and saturated look; purple at edge; manages to be fresh; strong and deep; powerful aromas from the fruit [importantly]; black fruits; spices; black cherry; plum; dark chocolate; sweet attack from the fruit and nicely integrated oak; very nice mouthfeel; powerful wine. Lots of extract and matter; but comes together neatly on the finish. [85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Tasted 3 April at Château Pavie-Macquin. Drink 2022-2035. 93-95 [Earlier tasting] Deep and saturated look; full and substantial aromas; quite bold and big on the palate; plenty of matter and fruit; nicely handled; balanced yet bold; ripe and supple tannin but plenty of extract here; this will last the course; big and full St Emilion but not over-cooked in the slightest. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. Drink 2020-2032. 92-94

Château Péby Faugères, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; good and healthy looking; open red fruits, tomato plant hints; not unattractive; contained; chalky; some extract; nice chew and texture; needs a bit of infilling but this may happen with time; some chew on the finish. [100% Merlot, 7.45ha]. Drink 2017-2023. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 87-89

Le Petit Cheval, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; vibrant edge; little more meaty; some blackcurrant spices; elegance; more substantial palate; has flesh and will flesh out; structured and quite cool in feel; textured palate. Nice length and good grip. [52% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Franc, 12.8% alc, 25% of harvest, 60% new oak]. Tasted 1 April 2015 at Cheval Blanc. Drink 2020-2025. 89-91

Petit-Figeac, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep colour; vibrant edge; purple; cool blackcurrant fruit; pretty; very attractive now; fruit and spices; some black cherry and raspberry tones; extract on the palate; nicely poised; good acidity; freshness; mineral tones and positive finish. Proportional too. [50% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 35% new oak, 12-14 months max]. Drink 2019-2025. 88-90

Château Pindlefleurs, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; little translucent; toasty; some red fruits; little undergrowth; nice red fruit here; well done; soft palate; not over extracted though a modest wine; easy soft finish. Lightish but all there in that respect. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 17 ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2017-2022. 85-86+

Château de Pressac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; colour tight to rim; sublimated and fat on the nose; very concentrated; toasty and sublimated style; ripe and pure fruit; very attractive plummy fruit which is wonderful; this wine has extract and matter but also a degree of balance despite the levels of concentration. Lots of chew and matter. Excellent. [65% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Pressac, 2% Carmenere, 36ha]. Drink 2020-2030. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 90-91+ [additional note] Deep and saturated colour; very tight to rim; black fruits; bit of fig; meal; liquorice; ripe and sweet; sweet and fat; liqourice and black fruit tones alongside alcohol; big if a little cloying. Tasted Angélus 29 March 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 86-88

Château Le Prieuré, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; briary fruit, some red fruit notes and satin; little stalky note too; nice clean fruit on the palate; nicely linear; this could be good; purity and clarity; not sublimated or overly oaked but nicely pure. Has good texture and finish. Like this and it should be congratulated for its modesty and precision. Drinkable St Emilion. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 6.24ha]. Drink 2018-2028. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 88-90+

Château Puy-Blanquet, St Emilion Grand Cru

Healthy colour; saturated red; tight to the rim; lovely vibrant pretty fruit; very jolie; ripe plums but fresh and supple; very juicy and packed; sweet entry; nice fruit; soft and pure and juicy; some sap and vibrancy but packed with fruit and freshness. A great buy and will be delightful early on I reckon. Soft tannins but nice freshness on the finish. Sappy and reasonably vigorous on the finish. Nice freshness. Tasted JP Moueix, 1 April, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 87-89+

Château Quinault l’Enclos, St Emilion Grand Cru.

Mid depth; earthy purple; fresh and pretty on the nose; perfume and lift; attractive; ripe fruit on entry; nicely structured with appetizing acidity; quite fresh and elegant overall. Nice finish. Will fill out. [69% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted Cheval Blanc, 1 April, 2015. Drink 2020-2028. 88-90+

Château Quintus, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deeper; earthy red at edge; vivid; glossy fruit; stone fruits; pretty Cabernet Franc; ripe; creamy and voluptuous; nice full St Emilion; has acidity and freshness too; some flesh; very supple and harmonious palate; spicy tones; extract and length. Very nicely polished. Best Quintus yet. [69% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted La Mission Haut-Brion. Drink 2020-2030. 91-93+

Château Roc de Boisseaux, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated colour; stalky briary fruits; some undergrowth; red fruits; briary fruits on the palate; some spice; lots here; again feels pretty high in alcohol; satin fruit on the finish. Little dryness on the very end. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 8ha]. Tasted Angélus 29 March, 2015. Drink 2017-2023. 88-90

Château Rol Valentin, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated look; ripe fatness; some sweetness too; fuller if a little straightforward; full entry; extract and matter; full; chewy; bit of tannin to resolve and settle but good acidity here. Chewy at present but potentially rather good. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7.3ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2026. 87-89

Château Sanctus, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated looking; unctuous and concentrated aromatically; little nutty note; full, nutty and concentrated; los of extract and matter; wow! Very chewy and inky at present. May yet settle. [70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 4ha]. Drink 2018-2028. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 85-87+

Château Sanonnet, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; opaque at centre; saturated aromatics with some nutty qualities; saturated in flavour but also with nutty notes; clear concentration; grip and tannin at the end. Minerality here. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 7ha]. Drink 2018-2025. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 87-89

Château La Serre, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep colour; healthy look; vibrant earthy purple at edge; little more black cherry; some fragrance; spices; pretty again; little VA lift; more oak influence; sweet ripe fruit and some fragrance from the oak but this should meld; again very charming and perfumed; more serious in ambition; oak needs to integrate. Should be good. 87-89+

Château Soutard, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Mid depth; ripe aromatice; some jam and red fruits; lift; cooler palate; depth; more in the middle than expected; substance; extract; this should settle nicely. Good effort. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. Drink 2020-2028. 87-89+

Château Tauzinat L’Hermitage, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; red at edge; fresh fruit notes; vivid; some stalky notes; fresh; vibrant styled; bit chewy; may fill out. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 9.3ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 83-85

Château Tour Baladoz, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and saturated in glass; tight to the rim; nice vivid pure fruit tones; this is good, black fruits, black cherry and blackcurrant tones; multivitamin note; palate has nice fruit and polish; this is good stuff; some liqourice but also nicely interwoven oak. Nice finish with good chew and depth. Good St Emilion. [70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.6ha]. Drink 2018-2028. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 88-90

Château La Tour Figeac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Bold colour; purple at edge; wet rocks; minerals; depth apparent; ripe entry; cherries and black fruit tones; nicely balanced on the palate; spices; good texture; has harmony. Good effort. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. Drink 2019-2030. 89-91+

Château Trianon, St Emilion Grand Cru

Mid depth; dark core; toasty oak and some black fruit tones; toast on the palate; some extract and then the tannins; quite inky tones; has plenty of depth and structure but also plenty of oak and feels worked. Needs to meld in elevage and bottle. [80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvognon, 5% Carmenere, 10ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2028. 84-86

Château Trimloulet, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep-ish mid depth; ripe black currant and plum; minerality too; bright; nice sweet entry; purity; texture on the palate again; nice wine; some chalk texture; nice grip and chew. Fine finish. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted 3 April at Château Pavie-Macquin. Drink 2019-2025. 87-89+ [Earlier note] Mid depth; opaque core; juicy aromatics; purity; some strawberry lift; fresh and vibrant; chalky notes; acidity; quite a fresh example; should settle quite nicely. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2018-2022. 85-87

Château Troplong Mondot, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘B’

Black and dark looking; colour tight to rim; saturated fruit on the nose; layered; sublimated black cherries and plums; nice entry on the palate; lots of fruit; saturated and full; sublimated; boatload of extract and matter – this is a big mouthful but tannins [plenty of them] caressing. [90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 14% alc]. Tasted UGC 1st April ’15. Drink 2020-2035. 92-94

Château Valandraud, St Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé, ‘B’

Deep and saturated; opaque; very dark and saturated; tight to rim; layered and tight – but a ball of the glossiest fruit; seam of sublimated black cherry and ripe plums; quite tight; layers here; fruit so glossy; creamy; pure; saturated; but not over extracted; creamy; black fruits; plums; very creamy and sexy indeed; chewy and dense but with very ripe tannins; not at all dry; full and glossy. Extract on the finish. Brillant effort in the Valandraud style. Tasted Jean-Luc Thunevin, 3 April, 2015. Drink 2019-2030. 94-96

3 de Valandraud, St Emilion

Mid depth; dark core; earthy purple at edge; black cherry and spice on the nose; little satin; fresh; vigorous; some acidity; lacks a little middle; should infill; grip and vigour; fresh and vigorous finish. Some spices. Tasted Jean-Luc Thunevin, 3 April, 2015. Drink 2018-2023. 85-87

Virginie de Valandraud, St Emilion Grand Cru

Deep and dark looking; tight to the edge; earthy blackcurrant; cool black cherry; plummy fruit; very nice seam of layered glossy fruit on the nose; ripe entry; creamy; integrated; textured and complete; creamy; ripe and creamy mid palate; tannins considerable but well managed. Chew on the finish but also freshness. Chocolate notes. Tasted Jean-Luc Thunevin, 3 April, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 91-93

Château Villemaurine, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated look; stalky black fruits; ripe and full aromatics; saturated style; sweet ripe entry to the fruit; juicy; attractive soft style; not too extracted; nice freshness [acid] too; red fruits; forward style that works. Nice length. Good effort. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted 1st April ’15. Drink 2019-2028. 88-90 [Earlier note] Deep and saturated; tight to rim; opaque at centre; stalky fruit; depth; some red fruits beneath; spices and red fruits on the palate; satin and spice finish but with some astringency. Tasted Angélus 29 March, 2015. Drink 2017-2025. 86-88

Château Yon Figeac, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé

Deep and saturated; purple at edge; fresh; something chalky about this; some spice and menthol tones; elegant palate; fresher and more simply styled; some spice; some chew and dryness on the end but should work out ok. [83% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 25ha]. Drink 2017-2022. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 85-87

 

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