En Primeur Bordeaux 2011

More approachable (it tips the scales at 13.2% alcohol), the 2011 Alter Ego de Palmer is composed of 48% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and a whopping 15% Petit Verdot. Despite all of the latter varietal, the wine is velvety textured, pure and impressively endowed with a lovely fragrance. It should drink beautifully for 10-15+ years.

Score: 88 - 90 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2027

48% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot. Petit Verdot very aromatic (dark fruit and violets) and less structured than usual. Only second time they have included it in Alter Ego. Rich and floral and fragrant on the mid palate. Soft, deep velvety tannins. Lovely pure cherry and dark fruit, so clean and fresh. Open and fresh. Unusual to have an early vintage that is not a very ripe one (early vintages often picked early because it has been so hot). Fully ripe and yet so fresh. Dry but in a good way. Perfume and exactitude. (JH)

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2019-2028

Taut but sappy, with lots of white pepper and kirsch flavors and a chalky energy on the tightly wound finish. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 89 - 92 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The assemblage is 48% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and for the second time, 16% Petit Verdot since it was very aromatic. The 2011 has a precocious bouquet that has forgotten that this is supposed to be 2011 and not 2009: layers of sweet macerated dark cherries, blueberry and minerals. One can really sense that Petit Verdot. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannins on the entry. It has good acidity and weight, firm grip towards the finish. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Lovely perfumed and floral aromas. Beautiful structure elegance, purity and definition and charm to come later.

Score: 17 - 18 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2025

This wine shows an inviting fruit with orangey acidity and a crispy finish. Juicy. So attractive already. This has a little more Petit Verdot in the blend. Gives it lively and interesting character. Second wine of Palmer.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

An opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of crème de cassis and licorice intermixed with notions of truffles and graphite. Rich, full-bodied and concentrated, the 2011 Boyd-Cantenac merits serious interest. Moreover, it often sells at a very realistic price, so readers take note. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. (89-91+ Points)

Score: 89 - 91 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2016-2030

Shows a roasted mesquite hint, with good fleshy currant and plum fruit and then an encore of the smoky wood on the finish.

Score: 87 - 90 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Impressive concentration here with lots of fruit and ultra-soft tannins. Full and juicy. Really well done here.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

Made in a sexy, perfumed style, this 2011 seduces the taster with its wonderful aromatics of blue, red and black fruits, flowers, damp earth and forest floor. With excellent to outstanding concentration, fresh acidity and velvety tannins, this plush Margaux is atypically opulent/flamboyant for the vintage. Drink it over the next 12-15 years.

Score: 90 - 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2027

Deep cherry red. Leafily aromatic. Lifted red-cherry fruit, almost minty/herbal. Lots of oak sweetness on the palate, dampening down that brightness of fruit. Though the brightness re-emerges on the sweet-fruited finish. Fresh and lithe and although the tannins are dry and powdery, the whole thing is refreshing on the finish. (JH)

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2026

Nice sappy feel, with juicy kirsch and plum flesh notes and lots of well-integrated spice on the finish. Lightens up a touch in the end, but stays focused.

Score: 88 - 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The Brane Cantenac is a blend of 37% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Carmenere and 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped from 9th to 19th September for the Merlot and 19th to 27th Cabernet Sauvignon, the Carmenere on the 10th October (the first time it has been promoted to the Grand Vin, so well done vines.) As usual, the sample needs several minutes to find its composure in the glass. Eventually, it finds its even keel with attractive wild berries, graphite and crushed stone, very crisp and well defined as if there are spaces to be filled between the aromas (this will be done during the élevage.) The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannins. There is a touch of unresolved oak whilst the finish is a little pinched at the moment with a slightly attenuated finish. As usual, I bet this will taste far superior after five years, but I wonder whether there is just enough substance here? Wait and see, but I appreciate the style. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 88 - 90 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Fine fragrance of Cabernet cassis fruit, fine middle sweetness, fine natural concentration behind the lifted, elegant facade, great potential complexity.

Score: 17 - 18 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2030

A masculine, structured, tannic effort, Cantenac Brown’s 2011 reveals a deep ruby/purple color, clean fruit on the attack, and hard tannins dominating the finish. If the wine’s structure softens, this will be a very good to excellent wine capable of lasting 15-20 years. (86-88+ Points)

Score: 86 - 88 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2032

Very dark elderberry juice colour. Dusty but fragrant with pure dark and ripe fruit, soft and juicy on the palate. Lightly chewy on the finish but the fruit just about fills out the structure. (JH)

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2028

Good, pure, caressing style, with a direct beam of cassis, lilac and toasted spice that stays rounded through the medium-weight finish, where a hint of loam peeks in.

Score: 88 - 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The Cantenac Brown, tasted three times, is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot cropped between 13th and 29th September finishing with the former. The nose is crisp and focused, not complex but demonstrating nicely integrated oak and fine minerality. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and fins acidity. This is elegant, harmonious and a damn fine Margaux for the vintage that will offer medium-term drinking. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Richly concentrated blackcurrant fruit, good extract and some florality, but tannins on the raw side.

Score: 16 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2015-2025

Full body, with plums and currants and hints of sandalwood. Ripe tannins. Bright acidity. Focused.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

The nose appears rather dry and dusty. The palate is sweet on the entry but the tannins are hard and it dries out on the finish. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 81 - 83 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Broad, fragrant fruit, supple and elegant. Very attractive.

Score: 16 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2014-2018