Vinous (92)

(made from two-thirds grenache and one-third syrah): Opaque ruby. Heady scents of red berry preserves, lavender, anise and sandalwood, lifted by a peppery topnote. Offers intense, palate-staining raspberry and cherry-cola flavors that gain weight with air. Impressively lively and pure on the persistent finish, which features gentle tannins and a late note of bitter chocolate.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Incredible in every sense of the word, this has everything you could want in a Pauillac and from Mouton Rothschild. Just as good, but different in style from the opulence found in the 2009, here you find incredible levels of intensity, density, richness, vibrancy and lift. The wall of fruit is perfectly ripe, expressing its purity along with crushed rocks, flowers, spice box, lead pencil, currants, cassis, blackberries, and Cuban cigars. The racy finish is seamless and crosses the 60-second mark with ease. This is not a wine for today. This is for the future. Your children can enjoy it at maturity.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Incredible in every sense of the word, this has everything you could want in a Pauillac and from Mouton Rothschild. Just as good, but different in style from the opulence found in the 2009, here you find incredible levels of intensity, density, richness, vibrancy and lift. The wall of fruit is perfectly ripe, expressing its purity along with crushed rocks, flowers, spice box, lead pencil, currants, cassis, blackberries, and Cuban cigars. The racy finish is seamless and crosses the 60-second mark with ease. This is not a wine for today. This is for the future. Your children can enjoy it at maturity.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Incredible in every sense of the word, this has everything you could want in a Pauillac and from Mouton Rothschild. Just as good, but different in style from the opulence found in the 2009, here you find incredible levels of intensity, density, richness, vibrancy and lift. The wall of fruit is perfectly ripe, expressing its purity along with crushed rocks, flowers, spice box, lead pencil, currants, cassis, blackberries, and Cuban cigars. The racy finish is seamless and crosses the 60-second mark with ease. This is not a wine for today. This is for the future. Your children can enjoy it at maturity.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Incredible in every sense of the word, this has everything you could want in a Pauillac and from Mouton Rothschild. Just as good, but different in style from the opulence found in the 2009, here you find incredible levels of intensity, density, richness, vibrancy and lift. The wall of fruit is perfectly ripe, expressing its purity along with crushed rocks, flowers, spice box, lead pencil, currants, cassis, blackberries, and Cuban cigars. The racy finish is seamless and crosses the 60-second mark with ease. This is not a wine for today. This is for the future. Your children can enjoy it at maturity.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Incredible in every sense of the word, this has everything you could want in a Pauillac and from Mouton Rothschild. Just as good, but different in style from the opulence found in the 2009, here you find incredible levels of intensity, density, richness, vibrancy and lift. The wall of fruit is perfectly ripe, expressing its purity along with crushed rocks, flowers, spice box, lead pencil, currants, cassis, blackberries, and Cuban cigars. The racy finish is seamless and crosses the 60-second mark with ease. This is not a wine for today. This is for the future. Your children can enjoy it at maturity.

Vinous (95)

Good medium red with a healthy rim. Alluring, deeply pitched aromas of raspberry, mocha, dried flowers, spices and smoky oak. Then juicy, salty and penetrating, with the low yield of the vintage obvious in the wine's intensity. Firm acidity--probably higher than the last three wines, notes Marie-Andrée--energizes and sharpens the highly complex flavors of red and darker berries, licorice, spices, blood orange and black pepper. A wine with outstanding precision, this beauty boasts terrific inner-mouth floral lift and also spreads out horizontally to saturate the palate on the very long whiplash of a finish. Plenty of soil-driven minerality here and still distinctly firm-edged on the aftertaste. Marie-Christine noted that this wine was very closed when she pulled the cork an hour before our tasting. (13.5% alcohol; 3.5 pH; 35 hl/h; harvested on September 25)

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-94)

Bright, deep red. Tangy red cherry and raspberry aromas are complicated by high-pitched spices, flowers and crushed rock. Sweet, bright and penetrating, but with good supple density giving a seamless texture to the middle palate. In fact, this is quite creamy for the vintage, in spite of its brisk acidity. Spreads out nicely to coat the mouth on the long, perfumed, gripping aftertaste. A terrific vintage for this cuvee.

Immerse yourself in the delectable depth of Negly La Clape Porte du Ciel 2010, a blend that ignites the palate with a refined, full-bodied experience. Hand-harvested from the sun-soaked terroir of La Clape in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, this richly vibrant wine showcases the expert craftsmanship of the distinguished Domaine de Negly. Meticulously vinified in new oak barrels for 24 months through traditional methods, this comely warhorse boasts an impressive concentration of Grenache and Syrah for an exquisite interplay of fruits and spices.

Glistening, deep ruby in colour, Negly La Clape Porte du Ciel 2010 presents a delightful sensory journey, unveiling notes of ripe red cherries, subtle herbs, and delicate spices. Cherished by fine wine enthusiasts for its impressive longevity, generous yet balanced, with a suave finish that lingers.

Wine Enthusiast (92)

91-93 Dark tannins, polished herbal fruit, great acidity, a wine that promises much for the future. It has freshness as well as weight.

Wine Enthusiast (93)

92-94 A gorgeous, opulently surfaced wine. The freshness cuts through the tannins to give the ripest of plum juice fruits. Powerful, while also deliciously juicy

Experience the deep and intricate allure of the Pagodes de Cos 2010. Crafted in the esteemed vineyards of Saint-Estèphe, this striking Bordeaux blend is the second wine of the prominent Cos d’Estournel estate. The vineyard's ideal maritime climate and gravel-rich soils facilitate the creation of this exquisite wine that bursts with robust flavours.

The Pagodes de Cos 2010 is a harmonious compote of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 40% new French oak barrels, adding to its intense, full-bodied nature. Its captivating bouquet offers layers of dark berries and alluring hints of spice and earth, balanced by a velvety texture and the exquisite nuance of well-integrated tannins.

This vintage represents the passion and expertise of its producer, Cos d’Estournel, regarded as a powerhouse in the French wine industry. With its alluring intensity and age-worthiness, Pagodes de Cos 2010 stands as a testament to the estate's acclaimed reputation.

Decanter (98)

One of the great years of Bordeaux now at 10 years old and showing why this is such an unusual vintage in terms of the depth of structure and muscular concentration that was achieved. In fact, I am upping the drinking window from the last time I tasted this, as there is such a pulse of life and grip that shows no signs of going anywhere. The initial layers are starting to be peeled back, but this retains primary black and blue fruits that are still full of flesh alongside baked earth, tons of liquorice and black chocolate with a grippy tannic structure, fresh acidities and a serious attitude. Brilliant stuff, that is clearly going to power on for decades. Harvest September 22 to October 20.

Decanter (98)

One of the great years of Bordeaux now at 10 years old and showing why this is such an unusual vintage in terms of the depth of structure and muscular concentration that was achieved. In fact, I am upping the drinking window from the last time I tasted this, as there is such a pulse of life and grip that shows no signs of going anywhere. The initial layers are starting to be peeled back, but this retains primary black and blue fruits that are still full of flesh alongside baked earth, tons of liquorice and black chocolate with a grippy tannic structure, fresh acidities and a serious attitude. Brilliant stuff, that is clearly going to power on for decades. Harvest September 22 to October 20.

Decanter (98)

One of the great years of Bordeaux now at 10 years old and showing why this is such an unusual vintage in terms of the depth of structure and muscular concentration that was achieved. In fact, I am upping the drinking window from the last time I tasted this, as there is such a pulse of life and grip that shows no signs of going anywhere. The initial layers are starting to be peeled back, but this retains primary black and blue fruits that are still full of flesh alongside baked earth, tons of liquorice and black chocolate with a grippy tannic structure, fresh acidities and a serious attitude. Brilliant stuff, that is clearly going to power on for decades. Harvest September 22 to October 20.

Decanter (98)

One of the great years of Bordeaux now at 10 years old and showing why this is such an unusual vintage in terms of the depth of structure and muscular concentration that was achieved. In fact, I am upping the drinking window from the last time I tasted this, as there is such a pulse of life and grip that shows no signs of going anywhere. The initial layers are starting to be peeled back, but this retains primary black and blue fruits that are still full of flesh alongside baked earth, tons of liquorice and black chocolate with a grippy tannic structure, fresh acidities and a serious attitude. Brilliant stuff, that is clearly going to power on for decades. Harvest September 22 to October 20.

Wine Advocate (100)

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Pape Clement comes wafting sensuously from the glass with fragrant notions of dried roses, Chinese five spice and sandalwood over a core of kirsch, warm cassis and plum preserves plus a touch of cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the perfumed fruit through the incredibly long finish.

Wine Advocate (100)

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Pape Clement comes wafting sensuously from the glass with fragrant notions of dried roses, Chinese five spice and sandalwood over a core of kirsch, warm cassis and plum preserves plus a touch of cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is finely crafted with a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the perfumed fruit through the incredibly long finish.

Wine Advocate (93)

The best Pauillac I ever tasted (and this wine has been a revelation ever since they first introduced it), the 2010 from Latour represents 24% of their production. It is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44.5% Merlot and .5% Cabernet Franc. An amazingly opulent, round, delicious wine, and a great buy when they finally release it – assuming it comes in under a three-digit price – it possesses wonderfully silky tannins, classic black currant, cedar wood and forest floor notes, and rich, full-bodied opulence as well as a terrific purity and palate presence. It should drink well for 10-15+ years.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2010 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert, which I raved about last year, is slightly better than their brilliant 2009. It boasts a dense purple color along with a beautiful perfume of camphor, licorice, forest floor, black currants and Christmas fruitcake. With tremendous intensity, full body and supple tannins, it should drink well for 10-15 years, perhaps longer where well-stored. This cuvee is always one of the best buys in the Northern Rhone.

Decanter (98)

This legendary estate is now owned by the Frey family, who have returned it and its wines to greatness. The wine is 100% Syrah from 60-year-old vines planted around the chapelle on the hill of Hermitage. The colour has barely changed since its youth, and the nose remains remarkably youthful with intense black fruits and a hint of floral perfume. The palate is dominated by a welter of morello cherry, damson, cream, coffee, spice, ink and violets. It possesses extraordinary balance with juxtaposing acidity and ripe, polished tannins. The small amount of new oak has been completely subsumed by the fruit, and it's both elegant and sturdy - a great thoroughbred built for the long haul. It's delicious now but will become even more so over then next two or three decades.

Wine Advocate (100)

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Pavie delivers tantalizing suggestions of candied violets, star anise and tapenade over a core of prunes, blueberry compote, Morello cherries and fruitcake with touches of underbrush and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, rich and exotically opulent, the palate has a rock-solid texture of velvety tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous palate of black and blue berry preserves, finishing long and fragrant.

Wine Advocate (100)

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Pavie delivers tantalizing suggestions of candied violets, star anise and tapenade over a core of prunes, blueberry compote, Morello cherries and fruitcake with touches of underbrush and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, rich and exotically opulent, the palate has a rock-solid texture of velvety tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous palate of black and blue berry preserves, finishing long and fragrant.

Jeb Dunnuck (98+)

From a great, great vintage for all of Bordeaux, the 2010 Pavie Decesse is based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that emerges from a vineyard sitting just above Chateau Pavie and was raised in new French oak. This inky beauty is still a baby yet offers incredible opulence in its huge nose of blackcurrants, blueberries, scorched earth, woodsmoke, chocolate, and graphite. With a distinct sense of minerality, full-bodied richness, building tannins, good acidity, and a monster of a finish, it is accessible today in a youthful sense yet needs another decade at a minimum to approach maturity. It will be a 50-60+ year wine.

Vinous (97)

Saturated ruby. Ripe, mineral-accented black raspberry, smoked game, candied flowers, garrigue and incense on the intensely perfumed nose. Velvety, sweet and concentrated; deep-pitched, iron-accented flavors of red and dark berry liqueur, candied lavender and fresh game are supported by a spine of juicy acidity. The marriage of richness to vivacity here is remarkable. Broad, fine-grained tannins build slowly and add shape to a strikingly long, vibrant, sharply focused finish that echoes the dark berry and floral notes emphatically and pretty much endlessly. This one-time bottling, which looks like a love child of Châteauneuf and Bonnes-Mares, was only produced in magnums.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Off the charts in the right ways! This was stunning from start to finish. The perfume explodes with scents of incredibly ripe cherries, plums, black raspberries, thyme, wet earth, garrigue and smoke. And that's just the appetizer. The main course is where the real action is, with its mouth filling, teeth staining levels of fruit, extract, the fruit is perfectly ripe, the levels of concentration are insane, yet everything is in balance. Nothing is too much. If you have the money want Chateauneuf du Pape at its best, this is worth cellaring a bottle of two.

The Wine Cellar Insider (100)

Off the charts in the right ways! This was stunning from start to finish. The perfume explodes with scents of incredibly ripe cherries, plums, black raspberries, thyme, wet earth, garrigue and smoke. And that's just the appetizer. The main course is where the real action is, with its mouth filling, teeth staining levels of fruit, extract, the fruit is perfectly ripe, the levels of concentration are insane, yet everything is in balance. Nothing is too much. If you have the money want Chateauneuf du Pape at its best, this is worth cellaring a bottle of two.

Wine Advocate (98)

Looking at the 2010s and a brilliant vintage for Laurence, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape offers up classic Pegau aromas and flavors of ripe dark fruits, garrigue, cured meats, tobacco leaf, saddle leather and hints of game. Full-bodied and beautifully concentrated, it offers a seamless, layered profile on the palate with thrilling mid-palate depth, sweet, yet substantial tannin, and a blockbuster finish that stays fresh and beautifully focused. Quite polished by this estates standards, it nevertheless screams southern France and I doubt it’s possible to have too much of this beauty in the cellar. It will absolutely thrill over the coming 2-3 decades. Drink 2016-2030.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2010 Pensées de Lafleur is just missing some complexity on the nose compared to its peers, but it seems to awaken in the glass revealing sous-bois, morels and tar-tinged black fruit that are well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, a fine bead of acidity, very well balanced with a deep and pixelated finish. Outstanding. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

Vinous (91-93)

Glass-staining ruby. Aromas of fresh red berries, rose and lavender, with an exotic touch of Asian spices emerging with air. Juicy and precise, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and slow-mounting anise and white pepper notes. The bright finish features very good clarity and lingering sweetness.