Bordeaux

R.P. 99 pts.

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Cos d'Estournel unfurls slowly, measuredly, releasing delicate notes of dried mulberries, stewed plums and blackcurrant pastilles before giving way to notions of potpourri, black cherry compote and chocolate box plus touches of dried sage, tobacco and new leather. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid foundation of very firm, grainy tannins and very lively acidity supporting the remarkable intensity of tightly wound fruit layers, finishing very long and fragrant.

D'Armailhac's 1992 is a charming, straightforward, richly fruity wine with moderate to dark ruby color, and a spicy nose of roasted nuts and jammy blackcurrants. The attack offers lush, velvety-textured fruit that fades quickly. Nevertheless, this is a pure, attractive, elegant wine

W.S. 90 pts
It has a fresh, rather herbaceous bouquet that does not quite deliver the requisite fruit to suit this style. The palate is medium-bodied with sharp and rather angular tannin.

W.S. 90 pts
A dark ruby color is accompanied by crisp acids, sweet cranberry, black cherry, and darker fruit aromas, and a clean, pure, classically built, medium weight Pauillac. Still firm and tannic, this medium-bodied, elegantly wrought wine.

R.P. 90 pts.

Château d'Armailhac has a feisty bouquet with tobacco and sage-infused red berry fruit that seem open for business, unlike some of the other 2006 Pauillac wines. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, quite supple tannin. There is good weight in the mouth with mint-infused blackberry fruit, fine structure with admirable precision on the finish.