Below are the tasting notes on Pomerol recorded over the past few years between M-Z. Click here for the tasting notes on properties from A-L. Click on the links in the drop down menu to access the individual châteaux profiles.

Château Mazeyres

• 2015 Deepish; less concentrated in colour than some; satin and red fruits on the nose; little oaky on the palate; less depth here than the best Pomerols; wood on the finish. Lacks middle and dry on the finish. Will fill out but not amongst my top choices in 2015 in this appellation. [75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot]. Tasted 6/4/16 Pomerol Seduction. Drink 2020-2028. 86-88 [Earlier note] Mid depth; red/purple at edge; full and sturdy Pomerol; some plum and cherry; perhaps a little straightforward; clean and easy; light Pomerol; not that much character. Simple. [73% Merlot, 24.4% Cabernet Franc, 2.6% Petit Verdot, 26ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 3/4/16. Drink 2019-2025. 85-87.
• 2014 Light depth; translucent; bit short on the aromas; some bubble gum etc; short on flavor and fruit on the palate; some honey notes; lacks depth and concentration – though soft. [73% Merlot, 24.4% Cabernet Franc, 2.6% Petit Verdot, 25ha]. Tasted Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2023. 82-85
• 2013 Mid depth; looser at the meniscus; some strawberry and honey notes; light; red fruits; suggests hardness; chewy and acid; disjointed; pretty puckering at present. Drink 2018-2024. Tasted Cercle Rive Droite, March 30, 2014. 80-82
• 2012 Deep and saturated look; very tight to the rim; lots of vibrant fresh fruit, bubblegum; very big and fruit driven on the palate with some perfumed oak; easy and open; ripe cherry and plummy fruit; very enjoyable and pure. I like this. 87-89+ Tasted blind at the Cercle de Rive Droite, 7 April 2013 Mid depth; some stalky, blackcurrant notes; high toned; some blackcurrant yoghurt; grip, some spice and fruit; lively; lacks density but has zest; elegant style but moreish. Not a bad effort. Tasted blind at the Cercle Rive Droite 1/4/12. 86-87+
• 2011 Deep and saturated; spices and lift; some layers, sour cherry; plums and spice on the palate. Reasonable depth. Re-tasted Cercle Rive Droite. 86-87

Château Le Moulin

• 2015 Deep and opaque; vibrant looking edge; earthy; spices; earth; wood on the palate; rather drying; needs to soak up the fruit; unbalanced and disjointed at present; sour cherry fruits beneath. Not at all good showing. Feels lean and over oaked. Needs to settle. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 2.4ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 3/4/16. Drink 2019-2025. 84-86
• 2014 Deeper; more opaque at core; very ripe sweet fruit; nice expression; concentration on the nose; satin quality; some plum jam tones; definitely seductive and ripe wine; little more lighter on the palate than the aromatics suggest; nice purity of fruit; texture and refreshing acid. Tighter than I’d expected on the palate – much more closed – but promsing. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 2.4ha]. Tasted Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2026. 87-89+
• 2013 Deepish; legs; earthy aromatics; palate better purity but pretty lean and austere; chew to the tannins and acid on the palate; there is some flesh here so may come good. Finish is simple and not overdone. Drink 2018-2024. Tasted Cercle Rive Droite, March 30, 2014. 83-85
• 2012 Deep and saturated look; layered and impressive nose; intense; nicely integrated oak; spices and ripe fruits; little coffee; big and bold on the palate, extracted style with lots of spicy red fruits and lashings of oaks. It works. Impressive. Plenty of stuff in here. 88-90+ Tasted blind at the Cercle de Rive Droite, 7 April 2013
• 2011 Deep and dark; oak resin, stalky blackcurrants; jam too; could be from anywhere in the world; some depth to the palate; tough tannin. Will it meld? Tasted bling at Cercle Rive Droite 1/4/12. 84-86.

Château Montviel

• 2015 Mid depth; sweet and ripe fruit; little simple; soft and easy; supple and easy drinking Pomerol; forward; soft; some dryness on the finish but will work out OK. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 3/4/16. Drink 2019-2025. 85-87
• 2014 Mid depth; vibrant edge; resin and wood tones with some red fruits; jam and sweetness; little jumbled but seem in equal proportion; later seems to settle in the glass; satin and spice tones; soft palate; easy; some texture but lacks concentration. Little oak on the finish, but not dominant. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 4.5ha]. Tasted Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 85-87
• 2013 Deep and saturated look; legs [redder purple]; coffee; liqourice and black fruits; integrated oak [if familiar]; some cream; in the context an attractive nose; creamy lush style initially; concentrated with density; chewy on the finish, tannins a little hard at the very end. Finish a bit simplistic but overall works. Drink 2018-2024. Tasted Cercle Rive Droite, March 30, 2014. 85-87
• 2012 Deep core, lighter at edge; bounce and freshness on the nose; spicy and attractive fruit; vivacious palate; elegant and easy; satin-y quality. Not over-extracted but delicious Pomerol. Quite delicious. 86-88+ Tasted blind at the Cercle de Rive Droite, 7th April 2013
• 2011 Deep and saturated; close to rim; thick and quite rich; some whiff of coconut; some undergrowth notes; feels concentrated; thick and rich palate; definitely concentrated. Not that bad effort, Could be 86-88+
• 2010 Very deep and dark; very ripe nose, real sweetness here; attractive; almost boiled sweet; some smoke and oak on the palate; quite fat and attractive; sweet and ripe. Wonderful mouthful. 89-91+/100 Tasted 6 April Le Cercle Rive Droite ’11

Château Nenin

• 2014 Deeper and darker at the core; nice blackcurrant; pretty Cabernet Franc on the nose; creamy notes; oak on the palate dominates a bit; texture is good; lacks a bit of mid palate richness; should blend in. Nice finish. Needs to fill out. [68% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc, 41hl/ha, 30% new oak, 13.8% alc, 3.70TA, 3,53pH, IPT 69]. Drink 2020-2026. Tasted Léoville-Las-Cases 30 March, 2015. 89-91+
• 2013 Deep at centre; vibrant edge; attractive and positive aromatics; some spice; cherry and plum tones; sappy and fruit driven; good fruit, some flesh in the middle. Sap and grip on the finish. Good effort for the vintage. May fill out further. [67% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc, 13.3% alc, TA 3.65, pH 3.65, 25% new oak, 10% presswine, 30hl/ha]. Drink 2018-2028. Tasted Chateau Leoville Las Cases, March 31, 2014. 87-89+
• 2012 Deep and saturated; vibrant colour; cream, plums and real depth; very full and promising; some Cabernet Franc tones; classy palate, creamy fruit entry with lots of material and ripe tannins; lots here. Very good wine, pure and fresh. Very good indeed. 92-94+ Tasted Friday 12th April 2013 at Chateau Léoville-Las-Cases
• 2011 Deep, purple at edge; layers, ripeness and cassis, wet stones; little dusty note to nose; bitter cherry notes on palate’ bite and chew; plus some oak and wood tannin. Chewy finish. Dense and not the most graceful Pomerol in 2011. 87-89+
• 2010 Deep and saturated look; vibrant plum and menthol notes; some jam; opens up further with aeration; wonderfully spicy plum tones and considerable concentration; plush palate; very complete; nicely ripe and some structure too but this is excellent Nénin. Great effort from the Delon team. Drink 2015-2030. 94+ MW Institute Nov ’14 [Earlier note] Deep and saturated; up to edge; ripe and rich; lots of fruit and density. Less flamboyant than the other Pomerols, feels serious and dense. Lacks a bit of vigour and joie de vivre? 88-90/100 [82% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 13.9 alc and IPT 80] Tasted 7 April 2011 at Chateau Leoville Las Cases.
• 2009 Deep and saturated; ripe and silky open nose; quite unctuous and creamy; nicely lifted; more muscular on the palate than the nose suggests; quite thick and tannic on the end. Needs five years I reckon. Sturdy Pomerol rather than beautiful. Drink 2017-2030. 91+ MW Institute Nov ’13
• 2008 Deep looking; firmer nose; less showy and exotic [something of a relief]; more purity of fruit [the Delon guys]; firm palate, grippy with chew and extract. 89+ 2012 MW Institute Nov ’12.
• 2007 Deep and dense, tight to the edge; deep and plummy, earthy with tar and tobacco; attractive soft and easy palate; almost sweet entry; dense and a bit chunky but nicely done. 89+/100. MW Institute Nov ’11.

Château Pétrus

• 1994 Dark; unctuous, rich nose; very ripe Merlot – orangey ripeness; big structure, enormous; lots of fruit and tannin. Bit closed. Massive structure. 94/100 Assemblage tasted at Chateau Petrus Oct ‘95

Château Petit-Village

• 2015 Glossy colour; purple entry at edge; little reticent at first; opens up; sweet black cherry; some Cab freshness; nice and moreish; attractive; nice palate; opens up and some real beauty here; nice sap at end; lacks a bit of acidity but works with very good length. Excellent Petit-Village. [70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.7% alc]. Tasted UGCB 6/4/16. Drink 2020-2030. 91-93+
• 2014 Deep core; earthy purple at edge; some chocolate; depth apparent but sample a bit dumb; nice palate; well handled fruit; layered and composed; fresh and very Bordeaux. Like this. [72% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Tasted UGCB 1st April ’15. Drink 2020-2030. 90-92+
• 2013 Deeper than some; ripe fruit; redcurrants and raspberry tones; nice tight seam of focused fruit; palate has extract and a little dry at the back; feels a little extracted and chewy; bit disjointed currently. Lacks generosity. Chewy Petit-Village. [70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Drink 2018-2025. Tasted UGCB April 2, 2014. 86-88
• 2012 Deep and saturated look; intense aromatics; plums and fruit cake spices; very attractive; full palate with similar and very attractive fruit profiles; this is full and easy going Pomerol that maybe lacks a little density but which is forward and delicious. Drink 2015-2025. 91+ UGC Oct ’14 [Earlier note] Mid depth, very nice lift, blackcurrants, cream and attractive layers to the nose; very mannered palate and pretty serious effort [compared with the flamboyance here in ‘09/’10]. Pretty serious effort on the palate; density and lots of fruit and structure. Quite tight and tannic at the back. They are comparing things here to 2001 and 2004. 80% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Franc. 91-93+ Tasted at UGC 10 April 2013
• 2011 Deep-ish; sweet and ripe aromas; spicy plums; spicy and ripe palate; structured but with good length. Good effort. Drink 2016-2026. 88+ UGC Oct ’13 [Earlier note] Mid depth, purple at edge; nice satiny fruit, not pushed; plums and spice here but real seduction; floral notes along with a little sappy note; nice entry on the palate, elegance not pushed; fruit, sappy with nice acid. Grippy end. 72% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasted UGC 4/4/12. 91-93+ April 2012
• 2010 Deep and saturated; lifted sexy plum and spice notes with resin; creamy palate very nicely done; plums, spices and an attractive undergrowth element; really nice fruit here; quite substantial on the palate but remains open and forward. Attractive, sexy Pomerol. Drink now-2030. 93+ MW Institute Nov ’14 [Earlier note] Deep and ripe looking; satiny, lifted red fruits; very sexy and forward; seductive; nice fresh palate with lift but that somehow [given the saturated forward fruit] doesn’t feel overdone. Grip and freshness here; more evident structure on the palate than ‘09’s beauty here. Acid gives the wine a positive finish. Excellent. 94+ UGC 2012 [Earlier] Deep, dense and saturated; lovely smoky minerality, real depth on the nose; some camphor and iodine; strong and well done; ripe seductive and full of flavour; really good structure, chewy but with lots of extract and tannin. Terrific length and depth. Lovely 94-96+/100 Tasted 6 April 2011 at UGC
• 2009 Deep and saturated; lifted and silky on the nose with earthy plum tones alongside soft Cabernet Franc notes; cereal and cream; some chew on the finish but lots of depth. Needs five years and has closed up a little since bottling. Drink 2017-2030. 93+ MW Institute Nov ’13 [Earlier note] Mid depth, dark at core; not the densest; super ripe nose; very attractive; some jam but not loose; some lifted Cab Franc elements; sweet and some spices with plums; palate very full and ripe; lots of extract but also softness. Really very good. Coffee and mocha at the back. Tannins ripe. Well done. 92-94+/100 [75% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted 31st March 2010.
• 2008 Deep and saturated; sexy and sweet nose; lush and ripe; similarly lush and ripe on the palate. Good effort. 91+ MW Institute Nov ’12 [Earlier] Mid red; some depth; some leafy lift on the nose [Cabernet Franc?], some chocolate too; palate has intensity and extract; concentration with good length. Good wine. 88/100 UGC Oct 2010
• 2007 Mid red; attractive nose of truffles, violets; perfumed and precociously attractive; some tarry notes too; good concentration on the palate; finishes quite light but nicely perfumed and attractive wine. Fine. 90+/100 MW Institute Nov ’11.
• 2006 Deep red; dark at core; rich nose; quite Christmas pudding like, tar, truffles, spices; very attractive; ripe soft palate, intense, some inky notes; lots of extraction with dry tannins on the end. Quite bold and extracted. Pushed a bit too far? Could be excellent but dry tannins on the end. 90?/100

Château Plince

• 2015 Mid depth; tight to rim; little wood; some tightness; some red fruits; satin notes; wood on the palate currently; little disjointed; should settle; spices from the Cab Franc; should be good when comes out the other side; some chew at the back; if this settles has the extract to be excellent. [74% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 8.5ha]. 89-91
• 2014 Mid red; deepish at centre; little loser at the edge; little more oak influenced and tempered; little lift from the wood but attractive fruit; some delicacy; quite nicely integrated; sexy almost; palate little subdued; not quite so vibrant; but there is texture and polish; more measure and oak influenced; the fruit will re-emerge. Nice sap and acidity at the end; plenty of juicy fruit underneath things [and it’s not that submerged]; nice finish; some chew and sap. Some length here. Drink 2020-2028. Tasted JP Moueix 1 April, 2015. 87-89+
• 2013 Lightish red; earthy purple at rim; freshness on the nose with spices; elegant palate, with some spicy tones and sap. Sappy finish. Lightish. Drink 2018-2024. Tasted JP Moueix, April 2, 2014. 85-87
• 2012 Pretty dark look; ripe and sexy nose; pretty and voluptuous with lots of depth; lots of fruit here on the palate with nice tension; structured but plenty of material and flesh. Nice blue fruits. Appetizing finish. 90-92 [JP Moueix, Libourne, Weds April, 10, 2013]
• 2011 Deep, saturated colour; ripeness and layers here; seam/core of blackcurrant fruit; bite and chew; nice and attractive; good depth, chew and density. Appealing style here; nicely done; good grip, nicely handled wine. Tasted at JP Moueix 4/4/12. 89-91+

Château La Pointe

• 2015 Deep looking; jam and strawberry lift; round and sexy; clean palate and fresh tones on the palate; texture and fruit on the palate; grip on the finish. Good effort from La Pointe. [84% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 14.2% alc]. Tasted UGCB 6/4/16. Drink 2020-2030. 90-92
• 2014 Deep and saturated colour; tight to edge; perfumed and fragrant; plenty of cherry fruit with some blackcurrants; fresh and attractive palate; quite plump; plenty of oomph on the palate; juicy style; plump and juicy. Bright acidity on the finish. Tasted UGCB 1st April ’15. Drink 2019-2028. 89-91+
• 2013 Deepish; vibrant purple at edge; clean and some perfume; little spicy fruit at the back; elegant; nice entry; some chew and material; grippy and quite gutsy. Little chewy. Needs to settle. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc]. Drink 2018-2024. Tasted UGCB April 2, 2014. 85-87
• 2012 Mid depth; deepish at the core; juicy notes with some spices and red fruits; little jam; easy and attractive fruit on the palate; soft and spicy with delicacy; perhaps less depth than I remember at primeurs but still forward and attractive Pomerol. Drink 2015-2025. 89+ UGC Oct ’14 [Earlier note] Deep and dense; vibrant effort, ripe and full, pretty open; lots here, fatness but also tightness; dense palate with freshness and attractive Cab Franc influence. Lots of extract but nicely handled. Serious again and continues the run of good form for me at La Pointe. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 91-93 Tasted UGC Wednesday 10 April 2013.
• 2011 Deep looking; full nose – spice plum tones and good depth; soft and caressing on the palate with clearly plenty of oomph; creamy blackcurrant and plummy fruit; nice and full. Great effort from this estate. Drink now – 2026. 89+ UGC Oct ’13 [Earlier note] Deep and attractive saturation without looking inky; plums and spice; feels good on the nose; attractive fruit and lots of it [cf La Croix de Gay] layers here, spices and depth and lots of plummy fruit; attractive qualities. Not overdone on the finish – really good effort. Good fruit and flavour and feels harmonious. 90-92+/100 April 2012
• 2010 Deep and dense; lots of seductive oak and black fruits; toasty; oak dominate; lots of extract and oak and fruit tannin; early days but feels disjointed. Lots of flesh though but rather too chewy and extracted. Needs to settle. 87-88?/100 Tasted 6 April 2011.
• 2009 Deep looking; lovely creamy blackcurrant fruit with nicely interwoven oak; unctuous and big on the palate but retains freshness; boat load of plumy fruit here with spicy tones. Wonderfully enjoyable already! Drink now – 2030. 93+ MW Institute Nov ’13 [Earlier note] Deep and dense; cream, fresh plums and vibrant fruit notes; wonderfully deep; palate deep too with lots and lots of plummy, blackcurrant notes and oak; this is a lovely wine and easily also the best La Pointe I’ve had. Terrific stuff on this showing. 93+/100 UGC 2011 [Earlier] Deep red purple; fresh nose; nice strawberry and fresh fruit nose; some oak; attractive and very polished. Palate thick and rich, not over tannic, some restraint here; lots of material but without that hard edge to the tannins so common in St Emilion. A very good effort. 90-92+/100 Tasted 31st March 2010 UGC primeurs tasting
• 2008 Some stones and minerals; quite earthy, some ripeness and fig; lots of oak on the palate with some tannin; there is fruit but a bit subdued; lacks a bit of fruit and oomph and feels a bit oaky and disjointed. 86/100 UGC Oct 2010
• 2007 Mid red; some development; soft attractive nose; quite simple; some vanilla tones at the back; soft. 84/100 UGC London tasting Oct ’09.

Château Providence

• 2012 Deep core; vibrant edge; very pure fruit; black cherry, ripe, plum; violet perfume; layers here; wonderfully fresh and ripe on the palate; vibrancy again; harmonious and nicely balanced. Very impressive. 100% Merlot. 92-94+ [JP Moueix, Libourne, Weds April, 10, 2013]
• 2011 Deep and saturated in colour; inky, plummy; some red fruits too; not oaky; concentrated, vibrant, perfumed; lots of spicy, plummy fruit; again wonderfully fresh fruit on the palate; very attractive; bite and acid here too but feels harmonious overall. Elegant, vibrant and harmonious. Very nice wine. Tasted at JP Moueix 4/4/12. 91-92+

Château Rouget

• 2015 Mid depth; ripe and jammy aromatics; lifted style; unctuous; creamy palate, red fruits, ripe and plum tones; some chew at the back; attractive and sexy Pomerol. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 17ha]. 89-91+ [Earlier note] Mid depth; ripe strawberry notes; satiny fruit; works; spices and ripeness; caressing quality. Will be early drinking. Chew on the finish. Nice, forward Pomerol. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 17ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 3/4/16. Drink 2019-2026. 88-90+
• 2014 Deep and bold; saturated look; lifted; VA; oak and resin; red fruit packed beneath; attractive; oak; fruit and depth; extract; will fill out and cover the structure; has satin quality too; good overall – wood a bit present. Modern styled but I think this will settle well. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc 17ha]. Tasted Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 87-89
• 2013 Deep and full looking; red fruits and some lift; chew and extract with a bit of a dip; this may fill out – not as puckering as some; chewy but there is some fruit. Tasted Cercle Rive Droite, March 30, 2014. 84-86
• 2012 Deep and saturated look; nicely judged nose; fruit, spice, some fat, juicy Merlot here; mid-weight palate; depth on the palate; quite compact and feels a little modest with good elegance. Not trying to be something it isn’t – so honesty here. Fresh too. 87-89+ Tasted blind at the Cercle de Rive Droite, 7 April 2013
• 2011 Deep looking; saturated, jammy nose; quite thick; some toffee; rather worked and ripe, later picked style; jam and oak on the palate with lots of tannin – fruit and oak; feels overdone. Oak very dominant and tannin very dry. Tasted blind at the Cercle Rive Droite 1/4/12. 83-85?
• 2010 Deep and dark at the core; sweet and ripe wine; perfumed and flattering; very soft and plumy palate; very attractive with grip at the end. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc] 90-92+/100 Tasted 6 April Le Cercle Rive Droite

Château Taillefer

• 2015 Deep-ish; pretty and some floral perfume; quite enticing; ripe and full; attractive fruit and emphasis on this; quite spicy; needs to fill out a little during elévage but has nice finesse. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 12ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 3/4/16. Drink 2019-2028. 86-88+
• 2014 Mid depth; little dumb; extract on the nose; hard palate; chewy and lacking in generosity. Lean Pomerol, may come through. Dry finish. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 12ha]. Tasted Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2024. 83-85
• 2013 Mid depth; earth purple [bit diffuse]; some honey; little VA; little vegetal streak too…very acidic almost white wine on the palate. Dry and puckering finish. Drink 2016-2023. Tasted Cercle Rive Droite, March 30, 2014. Drink 2018-2024. 78-80?
• 2012 Deep colour; perfumed lift with vibrant, plummy fruit beneath; spicy; fresh and appetizing palate with some grip and savour. Grippy finish. Should come good if a little lean maybe. 87-89 Tasted blind at the Cercle de Rive Droite, 7 April 2013
• 2011 Mid depth; some purple; again quite fresh, some spices and undergrowth notes; plum and cherry too; vibrant and high toned; not unattractive; some oak here but nicely in check; mocha tones too; integrated feel, not disjointed as the last few; palate good; fresh blackcurrant notes, plums and nicely polished. Highish acid but fresh Bordeaux. Tasted blind at the Cercle Rive Droite 1/4/12. 87-88+
• 2010 Deep in the glass; legs; sweet, ripe and attractive nose; attractive wine with some Cabernet Franc notes; good palate, really succulent and sweet; ripe fruit but with grip here; good wine. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc alc 14%] 89-91+/100 Tasted 6 April Le Cercle Rive Droite

Château Trotanoy

• 2015 Brighter at the edge; tight to rim; little reticent at first; apparent deep; violets, black cherry and ripe plum notes start to emerge; freshness; opens up gradually; powerful palate; sappy fruit; like the plums and the cherry notes; refreshing acids. Length on the back. Lovely balance and vitality. [93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7.2ha]. Drink 2020-2040. 95-97+
• 2014 Fresh at edge; purple and fresh looking; deep core; plummy; spices; some red fruits and satin; chalky and substantial; lots of minerality and sap; more wet rock elements than La Fleur-Pétrus; substantial; very moreish in terms of juicy fruit and acid impression; definitely bigger and more chew on the finish. Substantial and bold. Will doubtless reveal more down the track. Drink 2022-2035. 93-95+
• 2013 Deep colour; tight to the core; lovely creamy plum tones on the nose; nice and layered; depth here; creamy entry with black fruits and plums; very attractive palate. Sappy and positive finish. Very good effort. Drink 2018-2034. Tasted JP Moueix April 2, 2014. 91-93+
• 2012 Deep and saturated look; healthy and fresh; lots of blackcurrant fruit, black cherry and summer compote notes; freshness again; creamy palate with lots of black cherry and plum tones; very layered and lots of stuff going on; lots of sap and bounce here too. Very vivacious and pure. 100% Merlot. 94-96 [JP Moueix, Libourne, Weds April, 10, 2013]
• 2011 Deepish but not overdone; lovely fresh summer fruits; black cherry, blueberry; most appetizing; palate vibrant and elegant; harmonious; plums and violets; spicy; nice balance and chew; real harmony. Good length and zip. Very vibrant. Excellent. Tasted at JP Moueix 4/4/12. 93-95+ April 2012.
• 2010 Deep and saturated; chalky and a bit dumb in first sample; second more red fruits and lifted tones; full palate with plums, spices and some red fruit tones; loads of vibrant fruit on the palate; very full if a little reticent on the nose. Expect the best down the line. Drink 2018-2035. 94+ MW Institute Nov ’14.
• 2007 Dense, red [tight] to the edge; red fruits, quite lifted, some minerality too, some earth; sweet entry, ripe, some minerals, wet rocks; tannin here with some dryness but fruit envelops them. Certain elegance and not overdone. 90+/100
• 1994 Deep black; sweet seductive oak; plums, full and concentrated; ripe sweet fruit; real concentration here; soft. Tannins fine. Balanced and intense. 92/100 Assemblage tasted at Chateau Petrus Oct ‘95

Château Vieux Maillet

• 2015 Deep and saturated colour; earth red at edge; fruit cake spice and plum; some liquorice and black chocolate characters; ripe and full; lots of oak on the palate which needs to settle but there is lots of sweet fruit to balance. Should work out well – more middle than say Mayzeres shows at the moment. Drink 2020-2028. 89-91+ [Earlier note]. Mid depth; attractive aromatics; ripe; soft and easy fruit; little chocolate and coffee at the back; fruit comes out later; nice cherry and plum tones; clean; nice palate; perfumed fruit; clean and fresh with nice cherry and plum tones. Good stuff. Nice length. Chew ion the finish. [73% Merlot, 19.5% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 3/4/16. Drink 2020-2028. 90-92+
• 2014 Mid depth; vibrant edge; quite full; little pinched compared with some; palate easy and soft; lacks the highlights; not hugely stylish; has good-ish fruit and texture and some chew on the finish. Lacks excitement. [75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.7ha]. Tasted Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. Drink 2019-2025. 84-86
• 2012 Deep and saturated; nutty oak; very sweet fruit on the palate; chewy and dense. Stewed notes. Disjointed sample. 84-86? Tasted blind at the Cercle de Rive Droite, 7 April 2013
• 2011 Deep and saturated looking; up to edge; some jam and cream; some purity but very big and ripe; little monolithic; big and chewy palate; sweet entry; dense and masculine. Not that bad. Lacks a bit of freshness but had length. One of the worked styles here that actually delivers. Tasted blind at the Cercle Rive Droite 1/4/12. 86-87+

Château Vray Croix de Gay

• 2015 Mid depth; earthy purple at edge; sturdy and slightly stalky but some plummy tones here; fractionally reductive; some stalks; some fresh summer fruit compote note with a fresh saline quality. Freshness and grip; lacks bit of generosity at present. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 3.7ha]. Tasted blind Grand Cercle 3/4/16. Drink 2019-2025. 85-87
• 2014 Light-mid depth; little translucent; light, pretty fruit; ripe cherry; soft plum; colour and fresher style; cool and fresh fruit; some depth and juicy sour cherry; bit of extract and chew; soft finish. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 3.7ha]. Drink 2019-2024. Tasted Grand Cercle 29 March, 2015. 85-87
• 2012 Saturated and deep looking; ripe fruit, almost super-ripe and coffee bean oak; easy palate that falls away half way through and leaves the wine feeling a bit stretched. May fill out. 84-86 Tasted blind at the Cercle de Rive Droite, 7th April 2013
• 2011 Deep, dark and arterial; thick and deep; feels a little contrived; rich and deep palate; lots of oak; very sublimated [terroir sublimated too]. Tannic at end. Very extracted overall. Pomerol or Chile? Tasted blind at the Cercle Rive Droite 1/4/12. 82-84?

Vieux Château Certan

• 2014 Vibrant and healthy colour; beautiful aromas – plum and creamy blackcurrant and black cherry notes; ripe and clean; spices; creamy note to the palate – very harmonious with good fresh acidity; very attractive prospect; proportional and balanced. Probably will fill out more too. Feels very complete and finely crafted. [80% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 1% cabernet Sauvignon, pH3.62 TA3.68, IPT 63 13.4% alc 39 hl/ha Tasted 3rd April ’15. Drink 2022-2030. 94-96+
• 2013 Mid depth; glossy looking, purple at edge; plums and blackcurrant fruit; spices; great purity; a real stand out aromatically; delicious palate; very nicely balanced with real delicacy; some material here but extraction held in check; very good finish and length. Like the finest Grand Cru Burgundy this. It would be my pick of the 2013 Pomerols tasted. Great clarity. Tiny quantities. [92% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 22hl/ha, TA 3.4, pH 3.65 IPT 61, 13% alc]. Drink 2018-2030. Tasted April 4, 2014 at VCC. 92-94
• 2012 Deep colour; pure at edge, fresh and healthy looking; lots of red and blue fruits; great Merlot; lots of black cherry, sweet plums and perfume; very pretty; palate very balanced with real delicacy and verve. Structure and density there too. Fresh and ripe. 87% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon 94-96+ Tasted at the Chateau Friday 12 April 2013
• 1997 Red; warm nose of mature merlot and oak – some toasty elements; palate mature, soft and ready to drink. Not especially memorable but nevertheless ok restaurant wine [which was where it was drunk!]. Tricky year. 84/100 Oct’ 06
• 1988 Warm nose; some leather and substance; tobacco and tapenade notes; chocolates on the palate; tannins a bit chunky; quite chewy. Very good. 91/100 Mar ‘08
• 1982 Mahoghany; aroma of tea, red fruits, lacks some richness; palate has a briary bricky notes, bold and mature; possibly starting to fade; doesn’t have the seductive nose it once had [I bought a case in 1987, now just a couple of bottles left] – old claret feel starting to creep in. Not one of the best ’82s 88/100 Aug ‘05