Chateau Balestard La Tonnelle, Grand Cru Classe, St. Emilion, Bordeaux, 2010

Tasting: St. Emilion Grand Cru & Premier Grand Cru Classe

Dense, oaky nose, with brooding black fruits. Rich and solid, with firm tannins and chocolaty grain and grip, which fights the essentially soft ripe texture of the palate. It’s not very nuanced but should develop more complexity with time. Quite long.

Tasting: St. Emilion Grand Cru & Premier Grand Cru Classe

Discreet red fruit nose. Plummy Merlot note but fresh and poised. Lithe and long on the palate. Limestone terroir apparent. Firm tannic frame.

Tasting: St. Emilion Grand Cru & Premier Grand Cru Classe

Well-extracted Merlot fruit, good broad flavours, and good tannins and acidity in the background. Quite forward and rich, with good structure for the medium term.