Wine Advocate 88 / 100 par Robert Parker le 02/05/2014 Proprietress Juliette Becot has produced a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc that again merits high marks for a value-priced offering in 2011. A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by abundant quantities of dark berry fruit intermixed with hints of white chocolate, lead pencil shavings and vanillin. Medium-bodied with good juiciness, succulence, ripe tannin and a fleshy, opulent mouthfeel and finish, it is another big time sleeper of the vintage to enjoy over the next 7-8 years.
Wine Spectator 89 / 100 par James Molesworth le 31/03/2014 Very fresh for the vintage, with rounded edges and easy, pure plum and blackberry fruit gliding along, backed by modest toast through the finish. A twinge of briar at the very end keeps this honest. Drink now through 2016. 5,000 cases made.
Jamessuckling.com 90 / 100 par James Suckling le 19/02/2014 A steely red with currant and berry character, plus hints of minerals. Medium to full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Silky texture. Better in 2015.
Le Point 16 / 20 par Jacques Dupont le 17/05/2012 Nez violette, gelée de mûre, bouche tendre, élégante, soyeuse, bien fruitée. Gourmand, moins tannique, moins touffu que les années précédentes, le vin a gagné en précision. O= 2016 G= 10 ans
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 87-89 / 100 par Ian D'Agata le 12/05/2012 Good bright ruby-red. Aromas of blackberry, violet and bitter chocolate, along with some strong oak tones. At once dense and nicely aromatic, showing good breadth for the year but also the tougher tannins that characterize so many 2011s. Finishes with good length, though.
Decanter.com 16,5 / 20 le 30/04/2012 Could be the winner in Castillon this year. Deep, saturated colour. Pure, dense lifted fruit, a firm, long finish and acidity has been reined in. Very complete. Drink 2016-2022.
Wine Advocate 89-91 / 100 par Robert Parker le 30/04/2012 A major sleeper of the vintage, and one of the finest wines of the appellation, this blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc from proprietress Juliette Becot offers an intense purple color along with full body, supple tannins and an impressive texture. It is a significant over-achiever. This 2011 should drink well for a decade. Kudos to consultant Jean-Philippe Fort (Michel Rolland’s first lieutenant, so to speak) and Juliette Becot for their continued commitment to high quality.
TAST 14 / 20 par Bettane & Desseauve le 30/04/2012 Dense et intense, tanins encore fermes à ce stade, du potentiel mais attendre car la charpente est actuellement sévère.
The Wine Cellar Insider 88-90 / 100 par Jeff Leve le 27/04/2012 Blending 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc and grown in clay and deep limestone soils, the wine opens with licorice, earth, jam and blackberry. Sweet, ripe, round and soft-textured, the wine ends with ripe, fresh black cherry and chocolate. 88-90 Pts
Wine Advocate 87-89 / 100 par Neal Martin le 27/04/2012 The Joanin Becot has a light lifted bouquet with small dark cherries, fresh strawberry and cassis aromas that could do with a little more intensity (although my sample was assembled just before my arrival.) The palate is medium-bodied with bold tannins on the entry, quite introspective dark, mulberry and dark chocolate tinged fruit towards the middle and finish. Certainly a more masculine take on Joanin that may require a couple of years in bottle. Tasted April 2012
Jancis Robinson 16 / 20 par Julia Harding MW le 12/04/2012 Drink 2017-2027 Vineyard encépagement: 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. Dark, lively and spicy cassis with some oak spice over the top. Dense but still fresh and lively. Lots of juicy dark fruit across the mid palate and a fresh aftertaste. (JH)
Wine Spectator 88-91 / 100 par James Molesworth le 10/04/2012 This has depth of fruit and the toast to go with it, as tasty anise and plum cake notes are melding nicely with the core of blueberry and blackberry. Starting to round out on the finish too, as it soaks up the toast.—J.M.
Jamessuckling.com 87-88 / 100 par James Suckling le 01/04/2012 Mineral and floral character with dried fruits. Medium to full body, with firm tannins and a medium finish. Well done for the vintage.