CHÂTEAU POUJEAUX

The blend here is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. A really dark wine here at the core, with a fresh crimson rim. Very creamy and buttery black fruits on the nose here, a sort of melange of black cherry and blackcurrant baked in a rich, crumbly pie. A little confit style to the fruit. And yet it seems fresh and lifted. The fruit character is vibrant and well formed despite this richer style, rather polished but firmly composed start on the palate, a real shell on the outside, slowly revealing polished fruit in the middle. There is some appealing if rather vibrant acidity here, the fruit style very direct for the vintage, and the tannin extraction has obviously been gentle and well managed - important with 40% Merlot in the blend, perhaps? Good wine, and possibly good value too. Rating: 16-17/20 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2011)

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the Poujeaux 2010 has a crisp, well defined nose with fresh dark berried fruit, a touch of dark plum and a touch of Hoi Sin. Good definition and lift. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, succulent tannins, quite modern in style but imbued with good tension and focus, this should be a little belter in bottle. Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2011)

Well-extracted, ripe but compact fruit, good texture, balance and length. Drink 2015-24. Rating: ****16.5 Steven Spurrier (Apr 2011)

First sample: Fresh, lively on the nose. Lots of fresh fruit. Almost aggressively fresh and raw! A bit tart and green. (Score and tasting dates refer to the second sample.) Second sample: Particularly deep purple. Very, very rich. Taken right to the limit of ripeness. Yet there is freshness here too and the tannins, while a little drying, are not excessively painful. This is a very intense ambassador for 2010’s special qualities. Very fine tannins on the finish and lovely crunch. Pretty stolid and dense. Maybe a slight lack of acidity...? 2018-2028 Rating: 16.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2011)

Love the fruity and chocolate character here, with lots spices and nutmeg. Full and velvety with soft tannins and a long finish. Rating: 92-93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2011)

Feels a little soft on the edges, but the core of plum, raspberry and fig character is persistent, and there's a nice tobacco edge on the finish, which picks up some grip. Rating: 88-91 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2011)