Château Cantemerle Score 91–92 Medium-deep crimson. Unforced and fragrant raspberry, blackcurrant, hint strawberry aromas with vanilla cedar notes. Fresh raspberry, redcurrant, cassis fruits, fine plentiful chalky tannins and attractive toasty vanilla oak complexity. Finishes cedary firm and minerally. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot, 9% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot. 12 months in 40% new French oak, 13% alc Pessac-Léognan & Graves Inky dense wines with dark cherry/ elderberry fruits and vigorous tannins. Ch Haut- Brion, Ch La Mission Haut-Brion, La Clarté de Ch Haut-Brion, Ch Haut-Bailly and Ch Smith Haut Lafitte are all strong performers. Château Haut-Bailly Score 95–96 Medium-deep colour. Beautiful blackcurrant pastille violet graphite, roasted chestnut aromas. A lovely refreshing palate with dense blackcurrant pastille, blackberry fruits, very good mid-palate richness, roasted chestnut nuances and persistent al dente tannins. Finishes chalky firm and minerally. Beautiful wine with lovely fruit definition and torque. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 10% petit verdot, 3% cabernet franc. Château Haut-Brion Score 95–96 Deep crimson. Intense elderberry, dark cherry, praline aromas. Well concentrated and richly flavoured with dense dark cherry, elderberry fruits, plentiful fine chalky tannins, hint roasted chestnut nuances and fresh juicy acidity. Still elemental but very good balance. Bittersweet notes at the finish. 50% merlot, 12% cabernet franc, 38% cabernet sauvignon. 72% new oak. 13% alc Château La Mission Haut-Brion Score 94–95 Deep crimson. Lifted blackcurrant, plum graphite aromas with herb garden star anise notes. Inky deep blackberry, dark plum elderberry fruits, graphite chalky textures, cedar oak notes and fresh integrated juicy acidity. Very lively and pure but should settle down with age. 48% merlot, 46% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc. 72% new oak. 13% alc Château Smith Haut Lafitte Score 94–95 Deep crimson. Mulberry, dark cherry, hint praline aromas with sage/ herb garden notes. Concentrated mulberry, dark cherry, blackcurrant brambly flavours, plentiful chewy firm tannins and vanilla oak notes. Elemental wine with very good density and richness of flavour. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot 3% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. 18 months in French oak (30–60% new). 13% alc
Bordeaux 77
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