Château Haut-Simard 2011

Dense and juicy, with good substance and slightly bitter tannins; as always, we almost prefer the more balanced, more digestible Simard.

This is dense for the vintage, with ripe tannins and a plum and cherry character. It shows serious depth of fruit for the vintage. Better in 2016.

With 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine will be aged in 50% new oak. This wine shows herb, black cherry, stone and spice, with a round, dark cherry finish. 88-89 pts

Dark garnet, fairly dense at the core, ruby rim. Cool bouquet with rhubarb notes and fresh beetroot. Slender palate, with supporting acidity here as well that ties in with the tannic structure. Comes across as precise but unfortunately also slightly metallic.

(70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 45 hl/ha) Sweet, light bouquet, rhubarb, cherries, cornflakes. Slim, finely structured, sweet palate with sandy tannins, light, sweet aromatics, dry finish. 16/20 2016 - 2025

A beautiful wine: dense, tight, tannic, with plenty of substance.

Logo on the capsule: AL Purplish-red colour of medium intensity. Fine nose with fresh fruit. Delicate on the attack, supple mid-palate, very fruity; the wine unfolds with a lovely texture and a finish that “pinotes.” Long and very good. Do not decant to enjoy it in its pure state.

This finely structured wine comes from a small 10-acre vineyard. It has power, density as well as fresh fruits, a touch of perfume and solid tannins at the base. With its dusty structure and ripe fruits, it needs to age. Drink from 2017.