En Primeur Bordeaux 2011

A straightforward, clipped, narrowly constructed wine, the 2011 Beauregard reveals hints of mocha, loamy soil, herbs, black cherries and currants. It will require consumption in its first 8-9 years of life.

Score: 84 - 87 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2021

Held together primarily with wood; a dusty frame and toasted vanilla notes hold sway over only modest plum and cherry pie flavors, resulting in a slightly taut feel through the finish.

Score: 84 - 87 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Tasted three times en primeur. The Beauregard 2011 has a well-defined bouquet with briary and red fruits. There are pleasant earthy notes emerging with aeration. It is a quintessential Beauregard nose really. The palate is nicely balanced with a grainy finish: spicy and lively with a rather dry, foursquare finish. This will be an early to mid-term Pomerol. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 86 - 88 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Elegant, fresh, medium-bodied wine. Relatively easy and lightly structured with fine, grainy tannins.

Score: 15 - 16 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2026

The flagship estate of Dany and Michel Rolland (by the way, Rolland’s autobiography has recently been published and it is highly recommended), Bon Pasteur’s 2011 is a strong effort in this difficult vintage. Yields were tiny, resulting in a concentrated, intense wine with a deep ruby/purple color as well as notes of mulberries, boysenberries, caramel, truffles and flowers. Medium to full-bodied with adequate acidity, velvety tannins and a plush, savory, expansive mouthfeel, it should drink well for 15 or more years.

Score: 91 - 93 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2027

Toasted, but with a good fleshy feel that builds nicely through the finish as plum paste, cassis and roasted apple wood notes emerge. Solid.

Score: 89 - 92 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Tasted en primeur on two occasions. The Le Bon Pasteur deserves time in glass so that it can meld together. It offers macerated dark cherries and a touch of fresh dates all cloaked in vanillary new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry. It displays saturated tannins that are quite fine, layers of toasty black fruit mingling with cassis and blueberry that lead to a rounded smooth finish. A second sample was showing a little more dryness than the first. Not as complex as the 2009 or 2010 but very seductive for the vintage. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Ripe and creamy on the nose and palate (partly the oak). Structured but a touch drying on the finish.

Score: 15 - 16 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2016-2025

The ripe tannins in this wine give a beautiful impression and the ripe yet reserved fruit match nicely. Full and very integrated. Elegant and sexy.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

Colour intensity only medium. Sweet and still rather oaky. Very flattering round texture - a bit like a particularly sophisticated Argentine red. Though no excess of alcohol. Very drying finish.

Score: 15 - 16 Julia Harding MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2019-2030

Hints of bay leaf, crème de cassis, incense, damp earth and graphite are present in this ripe, medium to full-bodied, soft, evolved Pomerol. Deep plum/crimson, it should drink nicely for 12-15+ years.

Score: 89 - 91 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2027+

This has guts for the vintage, with good fleshy plum and blackberry fruit melded nicely already with anise and spice cake notes. Shows more weight than length, but that should come.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Tasted twice at JP Moueix and the Syndicate de Pomerol. The Certan-de-May has a gorgeous bouquet with superb fruit intensity: macerated red cherries, raspberry and wild strawberry, all very pure and exuberant. The palate is full-bodied with svelte tannins, very good depth and cohesion with wonderful build in the mouth towards a structured finish. It does not quite have the persistency or the complexity to rank alongside the top-flight wines in recent vintage, but this is an excellent Pomerol 2011. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Attracttive red berry fruit expression. Very pure. Palate has agreeable zest and energy. Firm, long grippy finish.

Score: 16 - 17 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2017-2026

Aromas and flavors of dark berries and chocolate follow through to a a full body, with chewy tannins and a medium finish. Well done for the vintage.

Score: 90 - 91 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

Under proprietor Ronan Laborde, Clinet has returned to the high quality witnessed in 1989 and 1990 under the helmsmanship of the late Jean-Michel Arcaute. Made from a final blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc that hit 14% natural alcohol, the inky, opaque purple-colored 2011 exhibits notes of blackberries, blueberries, espresso roast and subtle oak. Full-bodied, layered, opulent and flamboyant for a 2011, with loads of concentration and glycerin as well as a long finish, this is one of the most impressive wines of the vintage. It should drink well for two decades.

Score: 92 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2032

This has solid range, with blueberry, loganberry and bergamot notes mixed together and framed by anise-infused toast. There's solid flesh through the finish, with lingering purity

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Tasted twice the second time at the property with Ronan Laborde. The Clinet 2011 is a blend of 85% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc picked from 7th September until 26th September. It has a ravishing bouquet with multi-layered, creamy dark fruit, blueberry, cassis and a touch of vanilla pod. It soars from the glass and takes no prisoners. The palate is full-bodied with rich saturated tannins, low acidity, rounded and sensual in the mouth with an intense, voluminous finish that leaves a touch of oyster shell as its calling card. A second sample at the chateau promoted the fine tannins, offering a much more delineated finish, much more precise but a little drier (possibly because of the more cloudy weather.) Excellent Mon. Laborde! Tasted April 2012.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Deep purple-crimson colour. Tight, firm and intense. Lots of chocolatey, liqueur de cassis extract. Finishes a little tough and drying.

Score: 16 - 17 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2018-2028

A silky wine with dark chocolate and currant character. Chewy tannins but polished. Full and complete. Very velvety textured. Hand crafted wine for the vintage.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

A strong effort from this estate situated near the small church in Pomerol, the 2011 Clos l’Eglise displays a healthy dense ruby/purple color along with fleshy black cherry and black raspberry aromas intermixed with notions of barrique, earth and spice. Medium to full-bodied, pure and savory, this delicious fruit-forward effort reveals surprising flesh as well as length. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.

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

This has drive, depth, purity and focus, with plum sauce, raspberry coulis and blackberry fruit melded nicely together and framed by suave toast. Shows a graphite edge that belies the general profile of the vintage.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Tasted at the Cercle de Rive Droite (from new bottles that I requested.) The Clos l’Eglise has a sorbet-like freshness on the nose. It is probably unfair to compare it to the outstanding 2010, but it is certainly lighter and not as complex, yet very well delineated. The palate is medium-bodied with attractive, slightly chewy tannins and very well judged acidity, rendering this a harmonious Pomerol that does not have any intention of outdoing the 2010. It is a little broody on the finish but it should turn out to be a 'solid' Pomerol. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Dark and intense. Oak a touch intrusive but pure fruit behind. Firm, fresh and structured with a good long finish. Definite ageing potential.

Score: 16 - 17 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2018-2030