2010 Duffau-Lagarrosse Chateau Beausejour, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Magnum (1.5L)

RP100 "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+." RP Feb 2013

LP98+ "A blend of 73% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse is deep garnet-colored. The nose needs a lot of swirling to coax out slumbering aromas of plum preserves, dark chocolate, star anise, and blueberry pie, leading to wafts of Indian spices, tilled soil, and black olives, with a touch of garrigue. The full-bodied palate is super-concentrated, with a formidable backbone of firm, grainy tannins and amazing tension to balance the generous black fruits, finishing with epic length and depth. Wow! This is still too young, but will come good in another 10 years, lasting a further 30 years+." LPB for TWI Apr 2024