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Beauséjour Duffau 2010

Tasting Notes

The 2010 is a more structured, masculine and steely version of the utterly compelling 2009. Tasting like black raspberry confiture with subtle notes of graphite and crushed chalk along with enormous floral notes, the wine displays a slightly smoky character but a voluptuous attack, mid-palate and finish. Its is full-bodied and massively endowed, with every component perfectly etched in this extraordinary wine, which should be drinkable after 7-8 years of bottle age and last for a half-century or more. This is brilliant stuff. Composed of 73% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon from yields of 21 hectoliters per hectare, the alcohol is the highest ever registered at Beausejour-Duffau, coming in at 15%, but remarkably, the pH is modest and the acids relatively elevated, giving the wine an astonishing freshness and precision that is hard to believe in view of its power, density and length. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2055+.

Anyone who has read this publication or visited St.-Emilion knows that this is a magical terroir capable of great things. It was only fully exploited in the past in the 1990 vintage, but has reached more consistently great heights over the last three or four years. Kudos to the duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt for what they have achieved over the last few years at Beausejour-Duffau.

100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Beausejour-Duffau Lagarosse 2010 has a compact bouquet with dense black fruit, undergrowth and tobacco that is beautifully defined, fragrant and lifted with real sense of complexity and purpose. The palate has a chewy succulent entry with noticeable alcohol. There are grippy tannins here, and it feels a little forced towards the finish. This needs several years to really show its class and to settle down. Tasted January 2014.

93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2014

Clearly the best wine from here since 1989 or 1990. The intensity of dark fruits is insane with citrus and flowers as well as dark fruits. Full and lively with a finish that lasts for minutes but it is dense and impressive.

98/99
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2011

Derenoncourt from 2009. Very dark crimson. Much lighter than the Villemaurine 2010 I have just tasted. Easy with much less of the exaggerated framework that characterises most of Stéphane Derenoncourt's 2010s though it is a relatively tough wine.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011

This Saint Emilion property has recently had a change of management with Nicolas Thienpont (of Pavie Macquin) now in charge and ably assisted by Stephane Derenoncourt. The 7 hectares of vines are planted with 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2000 to 2500 cases are produced annually. Very deep colour, very powerful and thick. This is a real blockbuster that packs a powerful punch. Tastes like a Californian wine and seems to be going all out to get the 100 points that the 1990 vintage achieved here. Not a subtle wine, and not really to our taste, but some may really love this. Stand by for massive scores from the US critics and mutterings of "oh really!" from us Brits.

92+
Farr Vintners, April 2011

It is all a bit hot lots of fleshy sweet fruit. The tannins are aggressive holding back the fruit and both alcohol and oak spoil the finish.

85/88
Derek Smedley MW, April 2011

Elegant texture and tannins. Gentle, caressing fruit. Harmonious. Follows the progress made in '09. Drink 2018-2035.

17
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

Since the wunderkind team of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt assumed responsibility for this extraordinary vineyard planted on the clay and limestone southern slopes of St.-Emilion, quality has soared. The 2009 (rated 96-98+) was the greatest vintage since the estate's prodigious 1990 and the 2010 looks to be its equal. Composed of 73% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon made from tiny yields of 21 hectoliters per hectare, the 2010 achieved a remarkably high 15% natural alcohol. However, the high alcohol is completely hidden by the wine's freshness, high acids and modest pH. A remarkable nose of blueberries, blackberries, crushed chalk, acacia flowers, licorice and truffles is accompanied by an unbelievable minerality on the palate, full-bodied power, amazing texture, a multidimensional personality and a 50+ second finish. One of the most profound wines of the vintage, this 2010 should drink well for 30-35 years or more.

96/100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Tasted at the chateau, the Chateau Beausejour (Duffau-Lagarrosse) is a blend of 73% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon picked between 8th October and 22nd October at 26hl/ha and raised for between 16 and 18 months in 60% new oak. It offers a seductive, floral bouquet with raspberry preserve, redcurrant, a touch of fig jam and cold stone. It is controlled and focused, unwinding slowly in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a vibrant, almost effervescent entry. There is a citric thread of acidity interwoven from start to finish: a complex Saint Emilion that deserves 5 to 7-years ageing in bottle to really show its class. This is an excellent wine that should age well over the next two decades. Tasted November 2012.

94
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

This has a very refined, composed, well-defined bouquet with pure cassis and raspberry fruit, nice mineralité underneath that should become exposed by age. The palate is very fleshy and oaky on the entry but there is decent freshness here. Slips down the throat with ease with notes of crushed strawberry, redcurrant and a touch of Morello, very harmonious towards the finish if lacking a little backbone, but very fine nonetheless. Tasted April 2011.

91/93+
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.