Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2019 d'Hanteillan is impeccable. Bright, fresh and vibrant, the 2019 possesses striking aromatic complexity that is immediately alluring. Rose petal, mint and blood orange accents lend tons of complexity to the red berry fruit. D'Hanteillan is an absolute winner that shows how compelling 2019 can be. It should be a steal, too.
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James Suckling
Currant and berry aromas and flavors with chocolate and hazelnuts. Medium-bodied with medium, chewy and polished tannins. It needs time to come together. Nicely crafted. Try after 2023.
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine comes from a 114-acre property planted on an extension of the deep gravel of Saint-Estèphe. The wine is richly textured with tannins and black fruits as well as a touch of licorice. It will develop well and should be ready from 2025.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
While it claims the same basic landscape as the Medoc—only every so slightly elevated above river level—the Haut Medoc is home to all of the magnificent chateaux of the Left Bank of Bordeaux, creating no lack of beautiful sites to see.
These chateaux, residing over the classed-growth cru in the villages of Margaux, Moulis, Listrac, St-Julien, Pauillac and St. Estephe are within the Haut Medoc appellation. Though within the confines of these villages, any classed-growth chateaux will most certainly claim village or cru status on their wine labels.
Interestingly, some classed-growth cru of the Haut Medoc fall outside of these more famous villages and can certainly be a source of some of the best values in Bordeaux. Deep in color, and concentrated in ripe fruit and tannins, these wines (typically Cabernet Sauvignon-based) often prove the same aging potential of the village classed-growths. Among these, the highest ranked chateaux are Chateau La Lagune and Chateau Cantemerle.