2011 Girolate
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
This experimental, concentrated, 100% Merlot from a vineyard planted with 10,000 vines per hectare, is treated like a pampered child in its viticulture, fermentation and upbringing in barrel. Made by the Despagne family, this luxury cuvee has been a brilliant success in just about every vintage they have released to date. The 2011 is a big, robust effort whose exuberant tannins, which are not fully integrated, suggest caution may be needed. Loaded with sweet, rich, chocolaty berry fruit intermixed with graphite and vanilla notes, it still reveals some new oak, so some additional time in the bottle is warranted. It is hard to believe that a wine that carries a Bordeaux appellation exhibits the courage and visionary zeal needed to produce something like this. This offering should drink well for a decade, but the tannins need to be better integrated for it to fully merit an outstanding score.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
100% Merlot. Intense colour of elderberry juice. Dark savoury cassis and plum with a touch of char. Pretty oaky on the palate though the fruit is clear and fresh underneath. Firm, dry tannins but the freshness and juiciness returns on the finish. (JH)
100% Merlot. Intense colour of elderberry juice. Dark savoury cassis and plum with a touch of char. Pretty oaky on the palate though the fruit is clear and fresh underneath. Firm, dry tannins but the freshness and juiciness returns on the finish. Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
This experimental, concentrated, 100% Merlot from a vineyard planted with 10,000 vines per hectare, is treated like a pampered child in its viticulture, fermentation and upbringing in barrel. Made by the Despagne family, this luxury cuvee has been a brilliant success in just about every vintage they have released to date. The 2011 is a big, robust effort whose exuberant tannins, which are not fully integrated, suggest caution may be needed. Loaded with sweet, rich, chocolaty berry fruit intermixed with graphite and vanilla notes, it still reveals some new oak, so some additional time in the bottle is warranted. It is hard to believe that a wine that carries a Bordeaux appellation exhibits the courage and visionary zeal needed to produce something like this. This offering should drink well for a decade, but the tannins need to be better integrated for it to fully merit an outstanding score. Apr 2014, www.robertparker.com