Tasted at the Union de Grand Cru in London. I much prefer the red to the white. The nose is intense with blackberry, a touch of damson and graphite. The palate is medium-bodied with chunky tannins but good weight on the allspice and tar-tinged finish. Fine early to medium-term drinking. Tasted October 2011.
Dark crimson. The merest hint of damp fur on the nose here - a touch of brett? A bit soft and oddly formless for a 2010. As though there has been some fight against the tannins.
This Graves property is situated just a few hundred metres from Chateau Haut Brion and this 2010 is made from 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot with no Cabernet Franc this year. Denis Dubourdieu consults here and the Merlot was picked whilst still fresh and lively. This is a lovely wine with great purity of fruit. There is a nice touch of smoky, tarry Graves typicity and excellent balance between fruit and acidity. A wine for those who are getting tired of over-ripe fruit bombs and bound to be good value as usual.
The nose has a very attractive mix of fruit very black fruit driven. Fruit sweetness gives richness on the palate the black plum vying with cassis for dominance. Although the fruit is ripe and sweet there is enough freshness to balance and towards the back layers of flavour give lots of complexity.
The Pique Caillou has a very lifted, very pure bouquet of blackberry, a touch of cassis and well integrated creamy oak. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded, supple tannins. Notes of blackberry, dark plum and a touch of cracked pepper, just missing a little delineation towards the finish but demonstrated good weight and persistency. Very fine. Tasted April 2011.
