2010 d’Aurilhac

This is certainly one of the best of the crus bourgeois. This estate from the very northern end of the Medoc has turned out a wine loaded with creme de cassis, some incense, and smoky barbecue and meaty notes in a full-bodied, mouth-filling, generously endowed style. Drink it over the next decade. A member of the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Medoc.

Hard-working Dutch owner. Very deep crimson. Sweet, ‘worked’ and extremely flattering. Eye catching. Rather a mid Girondin wine (halfway to the right bank?). Big saignée usually to concentrate the must here. Sweet, toasty, cocoa nose. Easy peasy but not especially distinctive and a little tart on the finish.  (JR)