2010 Domaine de L'A, Côtes de Castillon (Pre-Arrival)

SKU #1066897 93 points James Suckling

Lots of dark chocolate, berry and limestone sort of character in this wine. Full and velvety with round tannins and a pretty chewiness. The personal wine estate of Stephane Derenoncourt, the famous consulting enologist. Better in 2016. (2/ 2013)

93 points Wine Spectator

Set apart by range and depth, with gorgeous blueberry, blackberry and plum notes intertwined with additional açaí berry and loganberry fruit flavors. The toasted apple wood frame is subtle and caressing, accented by a lilting anise accent that flitters through the finish. Best from 2014 through 2024. (3/ 2013)

89-92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Good, saturated ruby. Aromas of blackberry, raspberry jam, mocha and woodsmoke. Sweet, pliant, expressive and deep, with an attractive sugar/acid balance. With its concentrated, perfumed flavors of blackberry and blackcurrant, this conveys a black fruit juice cocktail quality. Finishes with smooth, ripe tannins and excellent length. (6/ 2011)

91 points Wine Enthusiast

A tough, dark wine, needing considerable aging to bring out its balanced fruits. It has the feel of a serious, impressive wine, dominated by powerful tannins. Underneath, the fruit is dark, brooding and firm. Give this wine at least five years. (3/ 2013)

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The wine displays loads of roasted espresso bean with hints of white chocolate, rich cassis and cherry. With its opaque ruby/purple color, medium to full body, silky texture and very sweet tannins, this is once again a sleeper of the vintage, as it so often is in both great and good to very good years. Kudos to the Derenoncourts. Drink it over the next 5-10 years. Its alcohol is at an all-time high of 14%. From the home estate of Stephane and Christine Derenoncourt, this blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc was produced from tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. (2/ 2013)