87 pts Wine Spectator Web Only - 2012
Retains a polished feel, with moderate intensity to the damson plum, cherry and black currant notes, all laced with toast and backed by a lingering tobacco edge on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
90 pts Wine Advocate Issue #204 Dec 2012
The 2009 Grand Classique is a blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, 16% Malbec, 16% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in new and used barrel for 18 months. It has a lifted bouquet of raspberry and dark plum aromas that needs to develop more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, kirsch-tinged entry. The acidity is very well entwined with the bright redcurrant and strawberry fruit that leads to a bright, vibrant finish. Perhaps not a long term Grand Classique, but this is well crafted. Drink now-2017.
90 (+?) pts Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 2013
(a five-variety Bordeaux blend): Good full, dark red. Deep, vinous, claret-like aromas of cassis, black cherry, tobacco, mocha, earth and sexy oak. Silky on entry, then firm and bright in the middle, offering intense dark berry and chocolatey oak flavors complicated by a loamy nuance. A bit youthfully clenched but already shows insidious sweetness. Energetic and light on its feet, finishing with a serious tannic backbone. Obviously a very good vintage for this bottling, but this will need time. A lot of wine for the price. |
