2011 La Prade

This rustic, dense, heady Cotes de Francs is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol. (Owner Nicolas Thienpont clearly must have harvested relatively late.) The tannins seem slightly elevated and are not completely integrated at present. This cuvee may have been late coming out of malolactic fermentation based on the way it performed. Nevertheless, it offers a deep ruby/purple color as well as lots of substance and headiness, but austere tannins dominate the finish. Given the fact that Nicolas Thienpont is the proprietor and Stephane Derenoncourt and his assistant, Julien Lavenu, are the consultants, I think this wine has the potential to improve beyond my range of scores.

This rustic, dense, heady Cotes de Francs is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that tips the scales at 14.5% alcohol. (Owner Nicolas Thienpont clearly must have harvested relatively late.) The tannins seem slightly elevated and are not completely integrated at present. This cuvee may have been late coming out of malolactic fermentation based on the way it performed. Nevertheless, it offers a deep ruby/purple color as well as lots of substance and headiness, but austere tannins dominate the finish. Given the fact that Nicolas Thienpont is the proprietor and Stephane Derenoncourt and his assistant, Julien Lavenu, are the consultants, I think this wine has the potential to improve beyond my range of scores. Wine Advocate.April, 2012