2010 Reserve de Ch Louis

Cropped at a minuscule 20 hectoliters per hectare, this 100% Merlot cuvee from clay and limestone soils achieved 14.6% natural alcohol. The consulting oenologist here, Stephane Derenoncourt, has produced an opaque purple-colored wine with huge extract and tannins in a full-bodied style, with loads of minerality, blue and black fruits, and hints of espresso and white chocolate. An enormously endowed wine, it will need a good 8-10 years of cellaring and should last 20-25 years. I have reviewed these wines together even though the Reserve de Louis comes from a separate, microscopic section of the Chateau Louis vineyards.