Decanter.com 91 / 100 byJane Ansonthe2/19/2021 The aromatics are closed at this stage, and the tannins bulky, emphasising a little rusticity. The bonus is depth of fruit and the sense of sappy almost biting tannins. Should soften further over the next few years. 50% new oak. 70% of the crop in the first wine. A yield of 45hl/ha. Harvest September 7 to 23.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 88 / 100 byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014 Vivid ruby. Expressive, fragrant and fruit-driven on the nose, displaying scents of blackberry and black cherry compote, along with a hint of balsamic oak. Smooth and fleshy in texture, with sweet blackberry and vanilla flavors that reveal a hint of a green streak on the back end. Open-knit and drinking well now but will benefit from another three or four years of bottle age; this wine has the power to handle richer foods. (88(+?) points)
Wine Enthusiast 91 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/5/2014 A very dry wine, it shows the traditional Saint- Estèphe hard tannins. That suggests it will develop slowly, gradually bringing out the potential of the red berry fruits and acidity as it develops into a fine, complex wine. Drink from 2017.
Jamessuckling.com 87 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014 Some pleasing berry and toasted-oak character, with hints of meat. Medium to full body with firm tannins and a juicy finish. Better in 2017.
Wine Spectator 87 / 100 byJames Molesworththe2/11/2014 Delivers a modest beam of steeped currant and crushed plum fruit, along with singed spice notes and a lightly firm charcoal edge, though this loosens up quickly with air. Drink now through 2018.
Terres de Vins 15,7 / 20 the2/1/2014 Ce n'est peut être pas le plus connu des crus classés mais il ne perd rien pour attendre: finement épicé, tout en finesse, encore un peu en retrait, c'est un vin cohérent, parfaitement représentatif de son terroir et de son appellation.
La Revue du Vin de France 14-15 / 20 the5/31/2012 Victime du violent orage de grêle, le château a produit un 2011 assez strict, doté d'une imposante masse tannique. Il faut espérer que l'élevage lui permettra de gommer cette dureté en finale.
Le Point 15,5 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012 Fruits noirs, bouche moelleuse, douce, délicate, élégante, fraîche. Joli fruit, finale un peu accrocheuse. O= 2017 G= 15 ans
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 88-91 / 100 byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012 Bright, deep purple-ruby. Deep brooding nose hints at candied violet, ripe blackberry jam and minty balsamic vinegar. Rich and suave on the palate, with fleshy blackberry and cocoa flavors complicated by floral and mineral touches. Finishes long and youthfully chewy, with enough flesh to age well. Very good wine and very successful for the vintage.
Decanter.com 16 / 20 the4/30/2012 Plummy blackcurrant fruit and good balance and ripe tannins. Good medium term drinking. Drink 2015-2022.
TAST 16-16,5 / 20 by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012 Arôme noble de tabac et de cèdre, puissant, parfaitement équilibré et persistant : style parfait et encore une fois un rapport qualité-prix probable exemplaire. Du vrai et du pur Saint-Estèphe.
The Wine Cellar Insider 88-89 / 100 byJeff Levethe4/27/2012 Lead pencil, smoke, stone and black cherry scents, round tannins and a fresh, black cherry finish. 88-89 Pts
Wine Advocate 84-86 / 100 byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012 The Cos-Labory has tended to be the whipping boy of Saint Estèphe in recent years, but I am pleased to say this has a better bouquet with clean black fruit and an almost Burgundian-like sense of minerality. The palate is medium-bodied with a grippy entry. It has good weight and ends rather dry on the finish. In the end, the palate does not quite meet the promise of the nose...but it is a start. Tasted April 2012.
Jancis Robinson 17 / 20 byJulia Harding MWthe4/16/2012 Drink 2019-2030 Black-hearted and inky. Unusual, rather floral nose with Asian spice. Fresh and supple and just a little malty on the palate but so much more lithe than most of the Pauillacs just tasted. Dry, powdery tannins but not drying. Actually relatively silky. (JH)
Wine Spectator 85-88 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012 The fruit that's there is fresh—good plum and bing cherry, with a savory herb edge as well. But it's a bit shy on the midpalate and loses intensity on the finish.—J.M.
Wine Enthusiast 91-93 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/4/2012 Along with its Saint-Estèphe tannins, this wine proves to be richly fruity and complex, with notes of spice. The finish shows the acidity of the year. —R.V.