Critics Ratings

2007:
‘A beguiling and seductive nose of earthy, spicy and highly layered red pinot and plum aromas lead to earthy, pure and gorgeously intense medium full-bodied flavors that possess real volume and power yet retain very fine detail and that extra dimension of depth that marks all great wine. This is a most impressive, if presently rather austere, effort and if you can find it, buy it - note however that patience will be required as this will require at least a decade to arrive at its peak.’ - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 93/100 (Apr 2010)

2008:
‘A fresh and bright nose freely reveals nuances of herbal tea, earth and softly secondary red cherry scents. There is excellent punch and delineation to the sleek and elegantly textured medium-bodied flavors that deliver fine length on the saline, dusty and moderately austere finale. This is one very intense wine with plenty of minerality that once enhances the sense of vibrancy on the wonderfully refreshing finish.’ - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 91/100 (Nov 2019)

2009:
'A notably ripe nose combines notes of liqueur-like aromas that derive primarily from the dark side of the fruit spectrum with background nuances of spiced tea, earth and a hint of sandalwood. There is excellent volume and mid-palate richness to the seductively textured larger-scaled flavors that terminate in a very serious, firm and moderately grippy finish. This is an exceptionally powerful wine that is still very much on the way up, indeed it will need most of another decade before it arrives at its apogee.’ - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 92/100 (Nov 2019)

2010:
'Exceptionally fresh and complex aromas are comprised of notes of spice, plum, red berry fruit liqueur and plenty of wet stone character that are framed in a discreet hint violet. There is equally fine depth on the focused and sleekly muscular flavors that exude a sense of focused power before culminating in a strikingly long and overtly mineral-inflected finish. While clearly built-to-age this is not quite so backward as many vintages of the Lafarge Clos des Chênes in the sense that it could be enjoyed now. With that said, I would be strongly inclined to allow it at least another 8 to 12 years of cellar time or so first.’ - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 94/100 (Nov 2019)

2011:
‘A wonderfully fragrant and pure nose combines mostly high-toned red berry fruit elements with those of soft spice, green tea and earth wisps. There is very good concentration in the context of what is typical for the 2011 vintage to the medium weight flavors that exhibit solid minerality and delineation while delivering fine depth and length. This is quite good and while it's clearly still on the way up.’ - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 91/100 (Nov 2019)

Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client