58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. This was a year when the big guns' terroir, resources and the flexibility this allowed was all important. With 65 days between veraison and picking (compared with an average of 47 at Margaux) they picked their Merlot, grown on limestone soils, after most of the Cabernet. The large dollop of Merlot gives this wine all the soft hedgerow fruit and earthy minerality one would expect. With a whopping 13% press wine to add some structure as ever this is an early drinking version of the Grand Vin made with the same incredible attention to detail. Drink between 2012-20. 13.9 points (out of 20)
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En Primeur wines are still in barrel at the châteaux and are sold as ‘futures’ up to two years in advance of delivery. The price includes delivery in-bond to a dedicated storage account. Before your wine arrives in the UK you will have the option to specify duty-paid delivery to an address of your choice, but you will need to pay a release fee to cover duty, VAT and handling at the prevailing rates.
- Origin:
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France
- Closure:
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Natural Cork
- Style:
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Medium-bodied reds
- Varieties:
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Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Estimated delivery: Summer 2010
Estimated release cost: £96.00
"57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot (because the Petit Verdot didn't reach the optimum level of ripeness and so didn't make it into the grand vin). Very aromatic. Mid purplish crimson with a weak rim. Looks a lot weaker than Alter Ego. Very fresh revitalising nose, pretty weak on the palate. But fine. For the first time I could taste something like stewed apples! Very soft gentle texture but without much density. Fragrant, dry finish, Pretty long. Quite a different expression from the more voluptuous Alter Ego, Very light and dry. Certainly a very valid expression of Margaux. 16.5 points (out of 20)."
Jancis Robinson,
www.jancisrobinson.com
More reviews from Jancis Robinson
"A fresh and fruity young red, with currant and light vanilla aromas and flavors. Even a little white truffle. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a delicate finish. 85-88 points."
James Suckling,
Wine Spectator
More reviews from James Suckling