2010 La Tour du Pin

The 2010 La Tour du Pin is showing incredibly well. A blend of 75% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc from just over 17 acres, this wine is a sleeper of the vintage. It offers up loads of blueberry, black raspberry and boysenberry fruit, stunning opulence, freshness and precision, despite its flesh and fat. Pure, fragrant and -open for business,- so to speak, this is a gorgeous wine to drink over the next 10-15 years. The world wine market hasn't caught up to the quality of this estate, which is now owned by the proprietors of Cheval Blanc and operated under the administration of the same staff that produces that outstanding Bordeaux.

85% Merlot. 15% Cabernet Franc. Cheval team have been in charge for four years. Very fresh, seems skinnier on the nose than the Quinault L’Enclos served with it. But on the palate it is really quite broad and sweet with excellent palate breadth. Quite firm on the finish. A bit tough even on the finish. Very dry tannins. Quite severe – especially on the finish. (JR)

This is a muscular St Emilion with firm tannins that form a solid backbone to flavours that are layered and generous. Sweet ripe red plum and blackberry flavours are complemented by cedarbox and savoury notes. Pierre Lurton's team have a done great job managing this vineyard over the past 4 years, crafting wonderful wine with richness in the mid palate. The wine is predominantly Merlot (85%) and it will offer both near term and long term drinking pleasure. asianpalate.com