Chateau Charmail 2010

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "This is a terrific wine from another estate that has a consistent record of excellence for close to two decades. The blend in 2010 is 50% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc with just a touch of Petit Verdot. This wine became famous because of its extraordinarily long, pre-fermentation cold soak of over two weeks. This continues under the new administration, and the alcohols achieved in 2010 are at 14.2%. The wine is a big, rich, sleeper of the vintage with loads of blackberry and floral-infused blueberry fruit. Sitting across from Sociando-Mallet, this estate is certainly well-located, resting on well-drained, gravelly soils with some veins of clay running through them. The 2010 is medium to full-bodied, pure, quite fragrant and capable of lasting at least a decade."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A wine with beautiful aromas of pine nuts, berries and flowers. Full body, with well-integrated tannins and a fresh finish. Silky and very fine. Lovely texture. Drink or hold."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "From a blend of 50% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, this has nice fleshy textures, sweet black cherries, licorice, plums and ripe tannin in abundance. This should age for a decade or two with little trouble. This is an outstanding Bordeaux value wine."