En Primeur Bordeaux 2011

This large estate of 125 acres was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare by proprietor Stephan von Neipperg and his consultant, Stephane Derenoncourt. The final blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc hit 14% natural alcohol. The wine possesses a dense ruby/purple color, notes of licorice, crushed rock, spring flowers, blue and black fruits, nice flesh, medium body and good acidity. It should drink well for a decade.

Score: 87 - 88 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2022

52 ha now, producing about 170,000 bottles. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Incredible colour - dark, dark with purple rim. Bright dark fruit, tension and freshness and a dry firm grip but fully ripe and a roundness in the mouth. Lots of structure and depth.

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2025

This has overt spiced toast, anise and mocha notes to soak up, but there's a good core of black cherry and blueberry fruit that should be up to the task. Slightly rustic cedary note checks in on the finish, but there's flesh here to harmonize that too.

Score: 88 - 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Tasted twice. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc this has a pretty rounded, floral bouquet with touches of violet. It should develop nicely in barrel. The palate is sweet and crisp on the entry with a fine citric thread. It is well balanced, very harmonious and pretty rather than powerful towards the finish. This is well made when it might have been overdone. Fine. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 88 - 90 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Bright purple hue. Lifted fruit, the chalky terroir nuance enhanced by the acidity. Ripe tannins but firm finish.

Score: 16 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2016-2022

This is very savory with a meat and berry character. Medium body, with fine tannins. Juicy and delicious. 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

Score: 89 - 90 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

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

A great success for proprietor Hubert de Bouard, the 2011 Angelus came in at 14.5% natural alcohol (keep in mind that this is supposedly a challenging vintage - and it was), and 75% of the production made it into the top label. The remainder was declassified into a second label or was sold off in bulk. Yields were a low 30 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend was 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. The color is a typical dense blue/purple, and the nose offers up wonderful notes of black raspberries, blueberries, flowers, vanillin and spice box. With authority, velvety tannin, good extract and glycerin, this rich, pure, beautifully textured St.-Emilion should drink well for 20+ years.

Score: 92 - 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2032+

Deep cherry crimson, black core. Very toasty, oaky on the nose. Oak overrules the fruit. Dense but dry and just so aggressive with the wood. Wait for it to die back. (JH)

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2019-2028

Polished and direct, with warm raspberry coulis, blueberry preserves and plum flavors pumping along, while a pain d'épices note fills out the finish. There's a loamy echo on the finish that adds depth and length, so this should be putting on weight.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The 2011 is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. There is a lot of maceration evident on the dense, broody bouquet with scents of blackberry and mulberry. It is missing the sheer exuberance of the previous two vintages and comes across as a little sullen by comparison. The palate is smooth and harmonious on the entry with tightly knit tannins and well-integrated oak. There is admirable focus here and the finish is strong, almost sinewy. The persistency is impressive, although it will hopefully develop more finesse by the time of bottling. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Hallmark purple-black colour. Impressively concentrated for the vintage, offering dense, dark, vibrant fruit. Aromatically complex with cassis, spice, chocolate and orange zest notes. Full-bodied with a powerful tannic frame.

Score: 18 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2018-2035

Very elegant Angelus with blueberry and chocolate character. Full to medium body, with fine tannins. Lovely and delicious. Reminds me of the 2001 but better. 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

A strong effort from this property situated between Pontet-Canet and Mouton Rothschild, d’Armailhac’s blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot was harvested between September 14-24. Its deep ruby color is accompanied by abundant aromas of black fruits, white chocolate, licorice and flowers. Medium-bodied, expressive, savory, pure and long with sweet tannins, it should drink well for 15+ years.

Score: 90 - 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2027

57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Dark velvety crimson. Cedary cassis and oak spice. Marked freshness, lightish on the palate, delicate, elegant and finishes fresh and lively. Finesse on the tannin front. (JH)

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2017-2028

Bright and racy, with pronounced acidity giving nice cut to the red currant, plum and cherry notes. A singed wood hint slides in on the finish, adding length and definition. Not massive, but pure and precise.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The 2011 Chateau d’Armailhac is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Tasted on three occasions, it is has fine purity with black cherries and raspberry leaf, a less flamboyant d’Armailhac that usual at this early juncture. The palate is medium-bodied with a sappy, succulent entry that has fine tension. I appreciate the balance and substance of this d’Armailhac that shows impressive cohesion and a fine, chalky tannic frame towards the finish. This should turn out to be a respectable 2011. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Lovely expression of spicy, slightly exotic black fruits, beautiful lift of freshness and briary charm - a lovely wine for the medium term.

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

The wine has a lovely softness to it with a chocolate, currant and blueberry character. Full body, with velvety tannins and juicy finish. Savory wine. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

Score: 91 - 92 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

An elegant, understated effort, this 2011 offers up notes of sweet strawberry, red and black cherries, and a hint of raspberry jam. Dusty, loamy soil and toasty oak characteristics are also present. This medium-bodied, attractive, lush St.-Emilion is ideal for drinking in its first 10-12 years of life.

Score: 87 - 89 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2012-2024

Dark in profile, with a strong cocoa frame to the blackberry and fig notes. Polished in texture, but more heft than purity in the end

Score: 88 - 91 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The l’Arrossée has a lively, oyster shell nose with copious sweet cassis and blueberry fruit that manages to retain fine delineation. The palate is well balanced with ripe rounded blackberry and raspberry on the entry. This is natural, refined, focused with harmony right towards the sensual finish. Very fine. Tasted April 2012.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, erobertparker.com

Fine, fresh and poised. Juicy dark fruit and mineral notes on the palate. It shows good length and balance. A very drinkable wine.

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

Full body, with a solid core of ripe fruit and mineral, stone, chocolate and sweet-ripe fruit. Sold and silky tannins. Very well done for the vintage. I like this better than many past vintages.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com