James Suckling

James Suckling 2010 Bordeaux En Primeur Scores

If you would like to view individual appellations please select one of the headings below.

Bordeaux › Haut-Médoc › Margaux › Pauillac › Pessac-Léognan › Pomerol › St.-Emilion › St.-Estčphe › St.-Julien

Bordeaux

PAVILLON BLANC DU CHÂTEAU MARGAUX - Bordeaux 2010 - Score: 95-96
Dense and rich with dried lemons, mangos, papaya and apples yet it's super bright and crisp. It's all there. Best ever white from Margaux?

AILE D'ARGENT BLANC - Bordeaux 2010 - Score: 94-95
This has to be the best whites from Mouton-Rothschild ever. It is 60 percent Sauvignon Blanc and 40 percent Semillon. It shows lots of papaya, apple, pineapple character and gorgeous acidity. It's long and beautiful

LIBER PATER - Bordeaux 2010 - Score: 93-94
Full and powerful. From 80-year-old vines. Chewy, yet polished with a lovely mineral undertone. Big. Big. Big

Haut-Medoc

CHÂTEAU CANTEMERLE - Haut-Médoc 2010 - Score: 93-94
Layered and rich with lots of blueberry character and ripe velvety tannins. Lovely texture. Best wine from here in years

Margaux

CHÂTEAU MARGAUX - Margaux 2010 - Score: 100
A phenomenal nose of roses, violets, and other flowers. Subtle yet rich raspberries and currants. It is 90 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. The is a curious wine, almost ethereal. It is all in the front of the palate with ultra-fine tannins. It is full and very, very rich but it is forever balanced and in harmony What a wine. It is a pinpointed wine. So cerebral. It sends shivers down my spine. Incredible

CHÂTEAU PALMER - Margaux 2010 - Score: 97-98
This nose is crazy with treacle tart, dark fruits, spices and milk chocolate. I was in a state of amazement tasting this. Full bodied and very powerful with wonderful ripe tannins and intense nuts and dark chocolate on the palate. This is more powerful than 2009. I am blown away

CHÂTEAU RAUZAN-SÉGLA - Margaux 2010 - Score: 97-98
What a wonderful wine with flower, currant and hints of minerals and wet earth with some smoke. Full bodied, with chewy and creamy tannins. The texture is incredibly long with notes of citrus, dark fruits, and ripe raspberries. Super distinguished style

CHÂTEAU MALESCOT-ST.-EXUPÉRY - Margaux 2010 - Score: 96-97
This is a 2005 Malescot in the making. And that was stunning. I love the blueberries, chocolate and nuts on the nose and palate. The finish lasts for minutes with so much . Goes on and on. I want to drink this! Wow

CHÂTEAU CANTENAC-BROWN - Margaux 2010 - Score: 94-95
Chewy and structured, with ripe fruit and ripe tannins. Tar and dark fruit character. Full body. Super polished. Very Cantenac-Brown in personality. Best in a long time from here

CHÂTEAU GISCOURS - Margaux 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is very structured and muscular with a lots of toasty new wood showing now but if you dig deep you see a rich and beautiful fruit and velvety tannin structure. Is this the new 1970? Very sexy

CHÂTEAU PRIEURÉ-LICHINE - Margaux 2010 - Score: 94-95
Wow. This shows a wonderful core of intense, ripe fruit and velvety tannins. Loads of berry, chocolate and toasted oak. A joy to taste young

PAVILLON ROUGE DU CHÂTEAU MARGAUX - Margaux 2010 - Score: 94-95
A wine that shows a lovely finesse and beauty with orange peel, flowers, blueberries and raspberries. Full and super fine texture. It goes on for minutes. I love the refinement. Paul Pontailler says it's the best Pavillon that he has ever made

CHÂTEAU D'ISSAN - Margaux 2010 - Score: 93-94
Starts off elegant and balanced, with blueberry and floral character. Full and silky. But turns chewy and mouth puckering. Very extracted. But will turn out really outstanding. Best from here in decades

CHÂTEAU SIRAN - Margaux 2010 - Score: 93-94
Really bright character, with dark berry, tar, light coffee and flowers on the nose and palate. Full and rich, yet balanced and complex. Best ever from here?

Pauillac

CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 100
This is extraordinary. It is just like 1989 (100 points for me) but it is even more refined and defined. It's so deep and compelling. I put my nose in the glass and I knew it was perfection. Full, yet super refined. So so long. It just builds and builds with flavor, like a tiny light in the sky that becomes a falling star. It is phenomenal. The analytical figures for the wine are off the charts with 15 percent more tannin than 2009, a pH of 3.5, and 14.5% alcohol

CHÂTEAU MOUTON-ROTHSCHILD - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 99-100
This is pure Mouton. The aromas to this wine are so fabulous. I thought right away back to the 1947, one of the great classics of Mouton. Menthol, minty, light eucalyptus, currants and dark fruits on the nose. Full bodied, with super intense and powerful fruit and tannins. So unique for a first growth. Almost all Cab. Magnificent. This is clearly better than 2009. 94 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 6 percent Merlot

CHÂTEAU LATOUR - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 98-99
The quality of the tannins and density of fruit is truly beautiful. This is so focused, with purity and beauty. The 1990 Latour came into my head when I tasted this (twice). It starts off slowly and then builds and builds and builds . So intellectual. A superb wine with precision 90.5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5 percent Merlot, .5 percent Cabernet Franc and .5 Petit Verdot

CHÂTEAU LYNCH-BAGES - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 98-99
What incredible precision and clarity here. Currants, mineral, mint and lead pencil. Full body, with super refined tannins and a long, long finish. I am loving this young wine. It just builds on the palate. Goes so long. 79 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 percent Merlot, 2 percent Cabernet Franc, and 1 percent Petit Verdot

CHÂTEAU PONTET-CANET - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 97-98
What a nose of black currants, minerals and blueberries. Flowers too. Licorice. Full bodied, with a wonderful texture of super refined tannins and a long, long finish. A beautiful concentration of fruit and purity and precision. So clear and focused. Super, super long. The tannins and finish are all in balance. This is the first vintage completely certified for biodynamic. Like a Swiss watch – A Lange! 65 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 percent Merlot, 20 percent Cabernet Franc, 1 percent Petit Verdot

CARRUADES DE LAFITE ROTHSCHILD - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 95-96
Incredible smoke, currants and blackberries. Spices too. Full bodied, with ultra-polished tannins and blackberries, blueberries and minerals. Orange peel too. Best Carruades ever

CHÂTEAU CLERC MILON - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 95-96
I can't remember tasting a young Clerc as exciting as this since the 1980s. Fascinating aromas of blackberries and currant jam. Very deep. Tar too. Full and very dense. It just tickles the tip of your tongue. So much there. 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 36 per cent Merlot, 11 percent Cabernet Franc, 2 percent Petit Verdot, and 1 percent Carménčre

CHÂTEAU GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 95-96
Lovely aromas already, with currants and blackberries. Full body, with very fine, yet dense tannins and a rich finish. Reserved and sophisticated. Noble tannins

CHÂTEAU PICHON-LONGUEVILLE-BARON - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 95-96
This has wonderful purity of fruit with currants, blackberries and licorice on the nose and palate. Full body, with velvety yet poished tannins and a long, long finish. Roses and flowers at the end. Tar too! Reminds me of the 1990 PB

LE PETIT MOUTON DE MOUTON-ROTHSCHILD - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is really exceptional with beautiful chocolate and blackberry character. It's full and velvety with gorgeous ripe tannins. Loving this. Wonderful richness and length

LES FORTS DE LATOUR - Pauillac 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is hyper fine, with beautiful tannins that are incredibly integrated. Full and super intense. Licorice and currants and violets. Splendid. 72.5 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25.5 percent Merlot, and 2 percent Petit Verdot

Pessac-Léognan

DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER BLANC - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 99-100
This is a remarkable wine with a density of fruit that reminds me of a Montrachet from a great vintage. it's full bodied, dense and rich -- almost oily -- but then it turns bright and fresh with a powerful backbone of acidity. A marvel

CHÂTEAU LA MISSION-HAUT-BRION BLANC - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 98-99
I love the lemon-lime, mineral and lilac character to this young white. It says great Montrachet but it's dry white Bordeaux. Full and super minerally and racy. Intense and vibrant. Tangy. Like a red wine in structure. Very dense and beautiful

CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 97-98
Wonderful aromas of dark fruits with sweet tobacco and lilac character. Blackberries too. Amazing nose. This is tight and powerful with beautiful tannins and a racy structure. It lasts for minutes. Super refined yet muscular style of Haut-Brion due to a much lower percentage of Merlot in the blend. I like the 2009 better. Its more typical. This is 57 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 23 percent Merlot and 20 percent Cabernet Franc

CHÂTEAU PAPE CLÉMENT - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 96-97
Very chewy, with wonderful blueberry and mineral character. Hints of mint too. Full and super classy. Love the texture of the tannins. Hyper-refined in texture

CHÂTEAU HAUT-BAILLY - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 95-96
Wow. What a superb nose of blackberries, flowers and licorice. Full bodied, with a powerful palate of super rich fruit yet bright tannins and loads of blackberries and ctirus on the finish. This is really structural with amazing purity of fruit. It is so direct and powerful. Chic brick house of a wine. 62 Cabernet Sauvignon, 36 Merlot and 2 Cabernet Franc

CHÂTEAU LA MISSION-HAUT-BRION - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 95-96
This is very perfumed for La Mission with dark berry, light chocolate, flowers, and minerals. Full and silky with fine tannins and a bright and tangy finish. Intense and powerful. Refined. Long

CHÂTEAU SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 95-96
Wonderful aromas of currants, berries and minerals. Very stoney. Full bodied, with an intense and dense palate structure. Loads of blackberries, sweet tobacco and hot stones. Long finish. We will see if it's better than the 2009 or not

DOMAINE DE CHEVALIER - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 95-96
This is the most structured and powerful DC in a long, long time. Full bodied, with polished and rich tannins and a long finish. Tasted twice.The rising star of Bordeaux?

CHÂTEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIČRE - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is impressive, with a gorgeous palate of super velvety tannins and ultra-ripe fruit. Full and caressing yet muscular and powerful. Tasted three times. Best ever

CHÂTEAU MALARTIC-LAGRAVIČRE BLANC - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 94-95
What a wine, with wonderful intensity of lemon, limes, dried papaya. Full and layered for a white. It goes on for minutes. This estate is rocking now. Tasted twice

CHÂTEAU PAPE CLÉMENT BLANC - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is a powerful white with wonderful mineral and citrus character on the nose and palate. Full and racy, bright acidity and dense palate. Long, long finish. Excellent

CHÂTEAU BRANON - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 93-94
This has great fruit. So pure and beautiful, with blueberry, currant and raspberries. Full, yet very reserved, with a long, long finish

CHÂTEAU CARBONNIEUX BLANC - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 93-94
Wow. Best wine ever from here. Superb with intense mineral character and loads of fruit too. Full and rich, with an ultra long finish

CHÂTEAU LARRIVET-HAUT-BRION - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 93-94
Very spicy and intense, with dark berries and sweet tobacco. Full and velvety. Very long and intense

CHÂTEAU LES CARMES-HAUT-BRION - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 93-94
Complex red with chocolate, berry, currants and nutmeg as well as other dried spices. Full and velvety with a long, long finish. Best ever from here

LA CHAPELLE DE LA MISSION-HAUT-BRION - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 93-94
The second wine of La Mission shows a lot of restraint this year. Blueberry and lemon rind aromas and flavors. It's full and silky with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Tangy acidity and bright fruit in the end

LE CLARENCE DE HAUT-BRION - Pessac-Léognan 2010 - Score: 93-94
This is a fresh and lively young wine. The second wine of Haut-Brion has a lot of linear richness. I really like the texture of this with super polished tannins and vibrant acidity

Pomerol

CHÂTEAU PÉTRUS - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 100
This is extraordinary. It is just like 1989 (100 points for me) but it is even more refined and defined. It's so deep and compelling. I put my nose in the glass and I knew it was perfection. Full, yet super refined. So so long. It just builds and builds with flavor, like a tiny light in the sky that becomes a falling star. It is phenomenal. The analytical figures for the wine are off the charts with 15 percent more tannin than 2009, a pH of 3.5, and 14.5% alcohol

VIEUX-CHÂTEAU-CERTAN - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 100
This is off the charts. I am blown away. This is so concentrated yet perfect. With chocolate, blackberry, coffee. Full and amazing in density and balanced. The grapes were tiny and the production was tiny. I am speechless. This may match the legendary 1947 or 1945

CHÂTEAU LAFLEUR - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 99-100
Very powerful wine with loads of Cabernet Franc character with dark fruits, blueberry and hints of spices. Licorice and flowers. Full and very powerful, intense is the word. It's like a first growth from Paulliac. Incredible. Extreme, almost severe in style yet fabulous. 62 percent Cabernet Franc and 36 percent Merlot

CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR-PÉTRUS - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 98-99
What a complex nose of dark fruits, truffles and wet earth. Fascinating. Full, yet super long with ultra refined tannins and a long, long finish. It is tannic and muscular but polished and reserved. It's a wine with refinement and power

CHÂTEAU L'ÉGLISE CLINET - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 97-98
So much elegance and complexity to this young wine with plenty of flowers and dark fruit notes. Full and super refined, with amazing complexity and firmness. It is very tight and silky. Long and intense. This is a super 2001 or a 1961

CHÂTEAU LA CONSEILLANTE - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 97-98
The nose is exuberant, with pure violets and berries. Insane. This is so straight and racy, with super fine tannins and a long, long finish. There is a minimalist clarity to the wine. Superb.

CHÂTEAU TROTANOY - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 97-98
Pure aromas of dark fruits from raspberries to blueberries. Full bodied, with super silky tannins that are refined and elegant. The texture of this wine caresses all of your palate. Very powerful

CHÂTEAU CLINET - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 95-96
Nothing on the palate and then all of a sudden it blasts off on the finish. Superb Clinet. Full and velvety. Juicy

CHÂTEAU LATOUR Ŕ POMEROL - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 95-96
This is the best LP I have had a long time, with black currant and flowers. Full body. It builds on the palate, with incredibly polished tannins and a long, intense finish

CHÂTEAU LE BON-PASTEUR - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 95-96
I love the crescendo to this wine. It starts up slowly and then builds and builds, with amazingly beautiful tannins and complex fruit and wood. Layered on the palate. Best ever from here?

CHÂTEAU LE PIN - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 95-96
This has muscles, with milk chocolate, plums and hints of wood. Very powerful, with lots of structure. It reminds me of the 1986 which is underrated and fabulous. A wine for aging. Super structured

CHÂTEAU CERTAN DE MAY - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 94-95
Gorgeous aromas. Tar, dark fruits and forest leaves on the nose. Full body, with lovely velvety tannins and a long aftertaste of dark chocolate, dark fruits and cappuccino. Tasted twice

CHÂTEAU HOSANNA - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 94-95
Incredibly perfumed, with flowers and berries. A full bodied wine, with silky tannins and a bright and fruity finish. Not the weight of the Lafleur Petrus, but beautiful

CHÂTEAU L'EVANGILE - Pomerol 2010 - Score: 94-95
What a nose, with orange peel, dark berries and blueberries. Full and bright , with super velvety tannins. Acidity is juicy too. Very sumptuous. Creamy tannin texture. 88 percent Merlot and 22 percent Cabernet Franc

St.-Emilion

CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 99-100
The blueberry and blackberry character and bouquet of violets is off the charts. Full body, the Cabernet Franc dominates the blend now, with so much dark fruits, minerals and flowers with hints of spices. It is a very powerful and linear CB and shows amazing length and purity. Zen-like focus

CHÂTEAU BEAUSÉJOUR DUFFAU-LAGAROSSE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 98-99
Clearly the best wine from here since 1989 or 1990. The intensity of dark fruits is insane with citrus and flowers as well as dark fruits. Full and lively with a finish that lasts for minutes but it is dense and impressive

CHÂTEAU ANGÉLUS - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 97-98
Wild aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate and hints of toasted nuts. Very intense. Full bodied, with super integrated tannins and a fabulous finish. Goes on for minutes. This takes off on the palate. Really impressive. 45 percent Cabernet Franc and 55 percent Merlot

CHÂTEAU AUSONE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 96-97
There is something almost unnerving with Ausone this year. It has almost supernatural fruit character and earth shattering acidity. Full and tannic, it finishes with a dark fruit jam but then goes to citrus acidity and freshness. A tiny bit too much

CHÂTEAU PAVIE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 96-97
Very powerful. It sneaks up on you. It doesn't show its strength at first but then takes off with excellent ripe fruit, spices, chocolate and nuts. So long and exciting. I prefer the style to the 2009 by a hair

LA MONDOTTE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 96-97
This takes my breath away with dark fruits, blackberries, chocolate and spice. Full bodied, with super silky tannins and loads of beautiful dark fruits. Super silky and long. Made from 80 percent Merlot and 20 Cabernet Franc

CHAPELLE D'AUSONE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 95-96
The second wine of Ausone again doesn't taste like a second wine! It's too good!! Dense and exciting, with blackberry, blueberry and currants. Full and powerful. It takes off at the end. The precision and pinpointed dark fruit character is fantastic

CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE-MONDOTTE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 95-96
This just takes off with amazing combination of drark fruits and insane acidity. Citrusy and wild. Full bodied and powerful yet it's delicate and finesse. Owner Gerard Perse calls it sweet power! I agree

CHÂTEAU CANON(ST.-EMILION) - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 95-96
Blackberries and hints of spices and fresh herbs. This is so tasty. It has wonderful round and juicy tannins, with lots of fruit yet subtle and spicy, with chocolate and light coffee. So yummy. Hard not to drink it. This is a classic style of Canon, such as 1955 or 1959. Better than 2009

CHÂTEAU LARCIS-DUCASSE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 95-96
The intensity to this wine is incredible with an electric dark fruit character and dark chocolate note. It's so lively and vibrant. Full and beautiful

CHÂTEAU PAVIE-DECESSE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 95-96
This is so bright and beautiful with lovely aromas of dark fruits and flowers. Full and silky yet fresh and bright. Complex

CHÂTEAU PAVIE-MACQUIN - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 95-96
Super compacted with incredible intensity of minerals, black fruits, licorice and spices. Full and dense. Wild fruit that goes on for minutes. A little firm as always but will open nicely

CHÂTEAU TROPLONG-MONDOT - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 95-96
What a nose. Gorgeous aromas of minerals, flowers and dark berries. Stunning. Full bodied, with a solid core of fruit and racy tannins. Citrusy finish too. Loving this

CHÂTEAU VALANDRAUD - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 95-96
Wow. What beautiful fruit here. It's intense, but balanced with fine and silky tannins and a caressing texture. I love the layers of everything here from sliced plums to bright cherries. So long and interesting. Best ever?

CHÂTEAU FIGEAC - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is very structured, with a solid core of plums, chocolate and bright acidity. Firm and silky tannins and a long, long finish. A powerful and structured young wine

CHÂTEAU CANON-LA GAFFELIČRE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is tight and powerful. Solid frame of fruit and tannins. Curious about this. Like the 2009. This is 40 percent Cabernet Franc, 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 50 percent Merlot

CHÂTEAU LA DOMINIQUE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is super powerful, with amazing density and richness. Goes on for minutes. Full, yet reserved and focused. Best ever

CHÂTEAU LOUIS - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is a wine for the restaurant in Paris of Amis Louis. What a beautiful layer of fruit and ultra-fine tannins. It's full with bright fruit and tannins. Love it. 90 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Franc

CHÂTEAU PÉBY-FAUGČRES - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 94-95
This is super classy with super fine and polished tannins. Chocolate, Indian spices and berries. Full and beautiful. Super fine

CLOS DE L'ORATOIRE - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 94-95
Love the finish to this. It really kicks in with bright acidity, citrus and blackberries and minerals too. This is complex. Full and super silky. Loving it!

LE PETIT CHEVAL - St.-Emilion 2010 - Score: 94-95
Love the mineral, violets and berries on the nose. Turns to chocolate too. This is so silky and beautiful, with amazing texture for a second wine. Long and beautiful. It's like a top Pomerol this year. Better than 2009. 75 percent Merlot and 25 percent Cabernet Franc

St.-Estčphe

CHÂTEAU COS-D'ESTOURNEL - St.-Estčphe 2010 - Score: 96-97
This is a classic Cos, with wonderful layers of ultra-polished tannins and wonderful character of spices, currants and minerals. I love the finish and raciness to this. Lots of pedigree

CHÂTEAU MONTROSE - St.-Estčphe 2010 - Score: 95-96
This is really integrated and polished, with a full body and super layers of cashmere-like tannins. Goes on and on. 53 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 37 percent Merlot, 9 percent Cabernet Franc and 1 percent Petit Verdot

St.-Julien

CHÂTEAU DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU - St.-Julien 2010 - Score: 99-100
I can't believe the precision and complexity in this wine. This is really amazing with minerals, berries, currants and blackberries. Full and extraordinary. It goes on and on and on. Tasted twice. Best ever from Ducru

CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE BARTON - St.-Julien 2010 - Score: 97-98
This is phenomenal, with dark fruits, with cassis and blackberries Full and super silky, with incredible fruit and ripe tannins. It goes on and on. So much depth of fruit here. Barton is on a roll again in this vintage

CHÂTEAU LÉOVILLE LAS CASES - St.-Julien 2010 - Score: 95-96
This is very silky, with a racy and fresh character of violets, currants and raspberries. Full with a super texture. Racy structure. Reminds me of the 1996

CHÂTEAU LAGRANGE(ST.-JULIEN) - St.-Julien 2010 - Score: 94-95
A wine, with very pretty balance and length already. Full body, with a wonderful core of ripe fruit and a persistent silky finish. Lasts for a long time. Dense