Bordeaux 2011 – Bordeaux and Côtes

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Dark and not terribly expressive on the nose, a touch meaty but floral too. Again has lovely fresh, juicy acidity and generous fruit in the middle – much more expressive on the palate. Tightens up on the finish and lingers. Complete and satisfying. (JH)

52 ha now, producing about 170,000 bottles. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Incredible colour – dark, dark with purple rim. Bright dark fruit, tension and freshness and a dry firm grip but fully ripe and a roundness in the mouth. Lots of structure and depth. (JH)

Mostly Merlot. Ripe, red fruited, a little bloody. It's fresh but also a bit meaty and savoury (maybe a touch of Brett?). Tannins are firm but don't stick out. (JH)

Next to Roc de Cambes but not all the vines are in Bourg. Bright, lifted red-cherry fruit. A light chew, lots of freshness and nicely juicy. Dry, grainy tannins. Fresh overall and just a slight bitterness on the finish. Denser than Dom de l’Aurage but more rounded too. (JH)

70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc.
Dark crimson and wide cherry rim. Vanilla and cedary black fruit. Light in the middle, refined dry tannins. A bit insubstantial but harmonious. Cedary finish. (JH)

Dark cherry crimson with black core. Ripe fruit on the nose but then much drier on the palate. Firm and dry texture, finishing dry too. Slightly bitter finish. I prefer the straight Ch Carignan. (JH)

Eight hectares in Ste-Colombe with similar soil to Pavie Decesse (clay over limestone). Very dark, a little figgy on the nose. Same dark ripeness on the palate with chalky dense tannins. Dense, very firm and dry. Unyielding but plenty to come. Just fresh enough. Very thick texture says leave me alone. (JH)

Deep cherry crimson. Very ripe fruit-cake aroma. Then much fresher tasting and extremely juicy on the palate. Acidity sticks out a bit on the finish. (JH)

70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep dark cherry colour. Very attractive soft herbal and tobacco notes and a touch floral, dark and dusty fruit. Great acidity, very soft texture. Rich and caressing but with freshness on the finish and a gentle grip on the very end. (JH)

100% Merlot. Intense colour of elderberry juice. Dark savoury cassis and plum with a touch of char. Pretty oaky on the palate though the fruit is clear and fresh underneath. Firm, dry tannins but the freshness and juiciness returns on the finish. (JH)

83% Merlot (harvested 13-14, 21 and 29 September), 17% Cabernet Franc (1 October). Rich deep black cherry colour. Gentle, restrained dark fruit. Delicately fragrant. Fine and upright and quite strict but with dark fruit spreading on the mid palate. Refined and long. So fine. (JH)

Some of the vines are in the Fronsac appellation and some in Bordeaux so it has to be a Bordeaux Supérieur. 44% Cabernet Franc (3 October), 56% Merlot (21, 26 September).
Dark blackish crimson. Cool, minerally, small-berried dark fruit. Not particularly aromatic. Fluid, lightish in the middle but quite long. Refined tannins, long but quite slender. (JH)

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)

Deep crimson. Sweet, slightly dusty cherry. Ripe and juicy. Really quite rich and rewarding on the palate. (JH)

Merlot. Rich deep black cherry colour. Perfumed red fruit – very ripe cherries and plums. A fruit bomb on the nose. Sweet and pretty ripe but not overly so. A touch overripe but creamy textured on the palate, full flavoured and juicy. Well structured and with the emphasis on the fruit, finishing fresh with some savoury character. High acidity sticks out a little on the finish. (JH)

75% Merlot (harvested 20-23 September), 25% Cabernet Franc (24-26 September), 50% new oak. Deep inky black cherry. Purple rim. Again that red fruit on the nose but also a light graphite edge. Cool and juicy and less dry than the Amélisse though the tannins are there and there's some oak in evidence. (JH) 13.8%

Sweet and chocolatey on the nose. Vanilla and violets. Like a chocolate box on the nose. Chocolate on the palate too but also some rich cassis. Smooth and gentle with gentle tannins too. (JH)

Vineyard encépagement: 84% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon. Chocolatey dark fruit. Very ripe, almost too ripe. But there's plenty of freshness and juice on the palate. Just a little extreme on finish. (JH)

Freshly crushed blackcurrants and plums – explosive fruit – which is why François Mitjavile wanted us to taste the Tertre Roteboeuf before this. Amazing range of aromas – not just the dark fruit but also orange, possibly even mango and lavender and garrigue. 'Spéctaculaire', says Mitjavile, summing it up nicely. Super smooth, rich and explosive. Doesn't have the intelligent elegance of Roteboeuf but it is a terrific full-on tasting experience. (JH)

100% Merlot. 40% new oak. Deep cherry red. Sweet and freshly ripe plum and red cherry fruit. Light oak spice. Although the fruit flavours are ripe and dense, the acidity is pretty marked, accentuating the firm though smooth tannins. Very fresh finish, almost tart. (JH) 13.5%

Vineyard encépagement: 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Black cherry colour and black core. Sweet, lifted ripe blueberry and damson fruit. A touch floral. Lively and fruity on the palate. Gentle fade. (JH)

Vineyard encépagement: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc. Black cherry colour. Dusty but fragrant. Very fluid and fresh on the palate, the tannins fine and already rather silky. Lively, fresh and straightforward for the shorter term. (JH)

The wine of the vineyard manager. Pretty dry and a bit lean. Drying finish. (JH)

Vineyard encépagement: 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Black core with purple rim. Sweet dark and spicy. Then lovely fresh but fully ripe fruit on the palate. Firm but velvety tannins and fresh on the finish. (JH)