Château Gazin 2011

Shows a roasted alder note, which lends a lightly firm edge to the core of plum and blackberry fruit, while espresso and dark earth details chime in on the finish. A bit thick and extracted in feel, but shy on purity. Drink now through 2019. 6,250 cases made.

88-90. Barrel sample. This firmly tannic wine has a dry character that lays over lighter fruits. With soft spice and some sweetness, this wine is developing already.

Medium bright ruby. Sappy aromas of black cherry, blackberry, violet and sassafras. Fresh and juicy, with nicely textured, concentrated flavors of dark berries, bitter chocolate and spices. This solidly structured Pomerol finishes with firm but ripe tannins and lovely floral perfume. Well done.

Holding back some of its personality, this is still a reserved style for Gazin. With effort, you can find freshness, refined tannins and dark, red fruits, with a hint of olive in the finish. Another year or two in the cellar should be just about right.

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Deep, layered nose with blackcurrant, blackberry brambles and smoky nuances. Fleshy palate, impressive astringency with ripe, well-supporting yet clearly demanding tannins, which could handle even more flesh and fat. Gazin fans should definitely go hunting for the 2009 (20/20).

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Deep opening, blackcurrant, blackberry brambles and smoky nuances. A fleshy palate, impressive astringency with well-supporting, ripe yet still clearly demanding tannins. That’s what’s good about this wine. But the tannins also look for flesh and fat, which isn’t quite present in the desired form. The sweetness from barrel ageing will compensate for quite a lot of it. I hope that will be enough, because the potential is very good. Gazin fans should definitely track down the 2009 (Gabriel 20/20).

Moderately powerful, silky, deep bouquet with notes of strawberry, pralines, tobacco and vanilla. Velvety, balanced, elegant palate with good fruit, plenty of fine tannins, bold aromatics, and a long, full finish with lovely retronasal aromas. 18/20 2019 - 2035

A very refined nose revealing black fruit and peony, with lovely vitality on the palate, a silky, elegant texture and real depth.

While Gazin usually offers velvety texture and breadth, in 2011 this well-concentrated wine emphasizes freshness in a refined style, and it should still evolve beautifully over the next ten years.

Such youth, such verve. On the palate, the wine is elegant, balanced, deliciously juicy and convincing. The tannins are powerful, the structure is in great shape, and the wine shows it still has time ahead of it. This wine calls for ageing, even though at heart it is already very seductive… a matter of choice.

The nose is fresh and fruity, with a touch of power, a fine texture, tension and a refined freshness. It reveals notes of blackberry, ripe small black fruits and, more subtly, violet, alongside a hint of blueberry and strawberry, as well as touches of nutmeg/clove, tobacco and an almost imperceptible hint of spices. The palate is fruity, fresh and balanced, offering a mineral framework, good definition, tension and a fine texture. On the palate, the wine shows notes of fleshy/juicy blackberry and fleshy/juicy blackcurrant and, more lightly, violet, combined with delicate touches of small black fruits, grilled and toasted notes, hints of juicy/fresh raspberry, as well as fine touches of nutmeg and toast. The tannins are fine and elegant. Good length. A very discreet touch of grilled notes on the finish.

Deep, intense, attractive colour. Fruity nose. On the palate, well-structured and generous, with richness and a solid mid-palate while retaining a silky texture. Very fruity, flavoursome finish, rounded and juicy. A lovely, well-built wine.