POMEROL
Chateau Petrus, Pomerol 2010
A distinguished wine. Precise, honest without surfeit. A natural expression of the cru. Affirmed structure and length but tannins suave and refined. Lovely fruit expression. Harmonious. Compelling now but long ageing. More 'classical' than '09. Drink 2022-2060. (19 points)
Chateau Trotanoy, Pomerol 2010
Dense, complex - a block of a wine this year. Definitely more virile than '09. Powerful tannic frame but layers of fruit and as always a minerally freshness and length. Drink 2020-2045. (18.5 points)
Le Pin, Pomerol 2010
Has all the charm of the '09 but to my mind a touch more vivacity and structure. Lifted Burgundian red fruit and spice aromas and flavour. Supple caressing fruit on the palate. Decadent sweetness on the mid-palate then long filigree tannins. Drink 2020-2035. (18.5 points)
Chateau l'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol 2010
Undoubted power and concentration. Rich, dense and profound but reserved. Layered fruit on the palate. Bigger structure than '09 although a touch awkward at this youthful stage. Drink 2020-2040. (18.5 points)
Chateau l'Evangile, Pomerol 2010
Dense and opulent, as is the style, but very refined. Full-bodied, succulent with a rich concentration of fruit. Powerful but with more apparent freshness than the excellent '09. Beautifully textured - tannins velvety and smooth. Long, clean finish. Drink 2020-2040. (18.5 points)
Chateau La Fleur Petrus, Pomerol 2010
My 'coup de coeur' from the J-P Moueix stable this year. In a vintage of power this exudes elegance and finesse. Lovely fruit expression. Refined tannins. Long, persistent finish. Harmonious. Drink 2020-2040. (18.5 points)
Chateau La Conseillante, Pomerol 2010
Slightly more assertive than the '09 but very fine. Deep colour. Lovely density of fruit - blackcurrant note on the nose. Has volume on the palate but freshness as well. Good line and length. Violet, liquorish notes on the finish. Firm, grainy tannins. Drink 2020-2045. (18.5 points)
Vieux-Chateau-Certan, Pomerol 2010
More or less the same parcels and blend as '09 (86% Merlot, 14% Cabernet) but a different style. Less opulent and more classically defined. Lovely 'natural' fruit, huge concentration, more alcohol (14.5%), long, powerful tannins and the freshness that marks the vintage. A harmonious whole. Huge potential. Drink 2020-2060. (19 points)
Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol 2010
Magnificent wine - structured, fine, cerebral. 62% Cabernet Franc - the highest recorded. Refined, complex nose (violet, berry, 'cacao' notes). Palate fresh and lively. Tannins plentiful but precise. Superb length on the finish. Drink 2022-2060. (19.5 points)
Le Moulin, Pomerol 2010
Modern, rich and opulent in style. Plenty of extract but not over worked. Smooth, velvety texture. Some freshness behind. Good length. Drink 2015-2023. (17 points)
Chateau Gazin, Pomerol 2010
Rich and savoury. Plenty of fruit on the palate. Powerful but refined structure. Persistent. Needs time but won't disappoint. Drink 2018-2035. (17.5 points)
Chateau le Gay, Pomerol 2010
Reserved aromatically but palate elegant. Purity of fruit, balancing acidity and fine, ripe tannins. Drink 2017-2028. (17.5 points)
Chateau Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol 2010
Lovely depth of fruit. Succulent and ripe on the palate but with freshness and length. I may have underestimated the '09 but this is certainly very fine. Drink 2017-2030. (17.5 points)
Chateau Petit Village, Pomerol 2010
Impressive wine this year. The best ever? Dense, complex nose. Explosive fruit on the palate. Velvety texture. Plenty of freshness and a long, persistent finish. Drink 2018-2035. (18 points)
Chateau Vray Croix de Gay, Pomerol 2010
A great success this year. Fresh and fragrant - blueberry, violet notes with a hint of toasted oak behind. Pure and clean on the palate. Fine, ripe tannins. Long finish. Drink 2017-2030. (17.5 points)
Chateau Beauregard, Pomerol 2010
Just the ticket. Perfumed, floral, fresh with lovely length and line. Possibly the best ever from this estate. Drink 2017-2030. (17 points)
Chateau le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol 2010
Ripe but harmonious. Creamy, raspberry notes with an almost citrus lift. Subtle, integrated oak. Suave texture. Fine, ripe tannins. Persistent. Drink 2017-2030. (17 points)
Chateau Clinet, Pomerol 2010
Dark, rich and powerful. Good attack. Undoubted depth and reserve but I prefer the balance and charm of the '09. Bit more extraction this year? Drink 2018-2035. (17 points)
Chateau du Domaine de l'Eglise, Pomerol 2010
Better than the '09. Attractive fruit. Fresh, ripe and lifted. Medium to full-bodied. Harmonious. Good length. Drink 2017-2030. (17 points)
Chateau Latour a Pomerol, Pomerol 2010
Plenty of freshness and length. Tannins rounded and fine. Very pure and harmonious. On a par with '09. Drink 2018-2035. (17 points)
Chateau La Violette, Pomerol 2010
Rich in constitution but natural and elegant as well. Considerable depth of fruit, fine tannins and texture, freshness on the finish. Superior to '09. Drink 2018-2035. (18 points)
Les Pensees de Lafleur, Pomerol 2010
Less charm than the '09 but definitely structured for ageing. Smooth and precise on attack but the acidity adds a little more vigour to the finish. More than a simple second wine. Drink 2018-2030. (17 points)
Chateau Nenin, Pomerol 2010
2009 announced the best Nénin ever in the Delon era and this follows suit. Dense volume. Lovely fruit. Fresh acidity and tannins. A little more linear and structured than the previous year. Drink 2020-2035. (17.5 points)
Chateau Certan de May, Pomerol 2010
Sweet and ripe on the nose with just a hint of jam. Round and supple on attack but with length and freshness in the tannins. Generous if a touch robust at present. Drink 2018-2030. (16.5 points)
Clos L'Eglise, Pomerol 2010
Undoubtedly a very good wine but at an awkward stage. Tight and firm with layered fruit but slightly intrusive oak. Winemaking has the upper hand. Drink 2018-2028. (16.5 points)
Fugue de Nenin, Pomerol 2010
Even better than the (very good) '09 and still great value. Lovely fruit and freshness. Pretty violet notes. Good length. Drink 2015-2025. (16.5 points)
Chateau Montviel, Pomerol 2010
A stricter selection than in the past and it shows in the wine. Dense, fresh and pure. Tannins ripe and fine. Persistent. Drink 2016-2025. (16.5 points)
Chateau la Pointe, Pomerol 2010
Continues the progress made in '09. A little more structured but still with the same seductive fruit. Well defined. Drink 2017-2025. (16.5 points)
Chateau La Providence, Pomerol 2010
I preferred this to the '09. There's a generosity of fruit and flavour but also finesse. Altogether it's a harmonious wine with attractive red fruit notes, fine tannic frame and good length. Drink 2018-2030. (16.5 points)
Chateau Rouget, Pomerol 2010
Ripe, round and powerful. Plum and red berry notes. Rich and full but I prefer the balance of the '09. Drink 2016-2025. (16.5 points)
Chateau Hosanna, Pomerol 2010
Maintains the consistency established with the first vintage in 1999. Dense, full, savoury - exudes depth and power. Plenty of vigour. Attractive fruit. Long, firm finish. Drink 2020-2040. (18 points)
Chateau Lafleur-Gazin, Pomerol 2010
One of the light-weights from the JP Moueix stable. Leafy-red fruit character. Lighter weight and frame but balanced. Pleasant early drinking. Drink 2015-2022. (15 points)
Chateau La Croix Taillefer, Pomerol 2010
Rich and meaty on the nose with a nip of freshness. Tannins a touch hard edged at present. Drink 2015-2020. (15 points)
Chateau La Cabanne, Pomerol 2010
Good berry fruit extract but tannins rather rustic and firm. Lacks a little charm. Drink 2016-2024. (15.5 points)
Chateau Vieux Maillet, Pomerol 2010
Rich, round and nearly overripe. Certain opulence but tannins a touch robust. Drink 2015-2022. (15.5 points)
Chateau Moulinet, Pomerol 2010
First vintage with S. Derenoncourt as consultant. Attractive fruit. Lighter structure but ripe and firm. Drink 2015-2022. (15.5 points)
Le Clos du Beau-Pere, Pomerol 2010
Rich, ripe and creamy. Liqueur de framboise fruit. Palate round and supple. Lighter framed but satisfying. Drink 2015-2024. (16 points)
Chateau Le Chemin, Pomerol 2010
Second vintage of a new wine launched by François Despagne (Grand Corbin-Despagne). Certified organic. Lovely purity of fruit. Supple, even opulent but natural and fresh. Fine tannic frame. Harmonious. Drink 2016-2025. (16 points)
Chateau Bourgneuf, Pomerol 2010
Better than the '09. Tannins firm but a little more refined. Attractive red/dark fruit with a touch of vanilla oak. Supple attack. A touch of alcohol but balancing acidity. Drink 2017-2028. (16 points)
Clos du Clocher, Pomerol 2010
Dark, firm and tight. Bigger structure than '09 - even a touch robust. Will need time. Drink 2017-2025. (16 points)
Chateau la Croix du Casse, Pomerol 2010
Soft red fruit aromas and flavour. Supple and round with a touch of subtle oak. Light but ripe tannic frame. Drink 2015-2023. (16 points)
Domaine Fayat, Pomerol 2010
Dark and reserved. Crushed berry and chocolate notes on the palate. Fresh and agreeable. More structured than the '09. Drink 2016-2025. (16 points)
Chateau la Croix de Gay, Pomerol 2010
Pretty red berry fruit. Aromatically a touch Burgundian. Medium to full-bodied, round and sweet-fruited. Tannins firm. Alcohol shows. Drink 2016-2025. (16 points)
Duo de Conseillante, Pomerol 2010
Definite Merlot expression this year. Sweet, round and succulent. A little more vigour than '09 but less charm. Drink 2014-2020. (16 points)
Chateau la Grave, Pomerol 2010
Medium-bodied, supple, fresh. Perhaps not quite the maturity of the '09 but fine tannins and length. Will make an enjoyable drink. Drink 2015-2022. (15.5 points)
Chateau la Fleur-de-Gay, Pomerol 2010
Berry and toasted aromas on the nose. Concentrated but oak invasive at the tasting. Firm, ripe tannins. Needs retasting when the oak has settled. Drink 2018-2030. (16 points)
La Petite Eglise, Pomerol 2010
More gras and opulence than usual, certainly more than in '09. Ripe, full and caressing with red fruit and chocolate notes. Tannins a touch abrasive otherwise a higher note. Drink 2015-2025. (16 points)
Chateau Mazeyres, Pomerol 2010
Medium-bodied, lighter-styled Pomerol. Leafy-berry fruit. Round. Agreeable. Drink 2015-2022. (15.5 points)
