This morning we finished off our tasting journey with a trip to Pessac-Léognan. Beginning at our final First Growth, Ch. Haut-Brion, we began to see that the vintage has produced great wines in this appellation too. Interestingly, 2010 was the driest vintage at Haut-Brion since 1949 but, thanks to their skills, the wines are still beautifully balanced – something that not every property has managed to achieve. Some may also be interested to see the full line-up of bottle sizes that they now offer for both Ch. Haut-Brion and La Mission. Moving on to the much anticipated Domaine de Chevalier (above), we were treated to a sample of both the 2009 (which is an absolutely beautiful wine and ageing well), as well as 2010, which is also shaping up to be a characteristically wonderful wine. In Pessac we have also caught a glimpse of a few white wines that are elegant with fruity minerality and that all important acidity, which is lacking in a few other whites we have tried this week.

Generally Pauillac, Margaux and St Julien have performed more consistently than others this year, with St Estèphe and St Emilion struggling more with the vintage. That said, every region has produced at least a few wonderful wines, with many of the best exceeding even 2009 for complexity and finesse.

It is not necessarily an easy vintage to understand, in as much as you will need to do your research, but this will be well rewarded in years to come with wines that will age incredibly well, bringing opulent fruit and refreshing acidity to the fore; there are some truly legendary wines to be found this vintage. Keep an eye on our website for up-to-date information on the ones we liked best, the latest reviews and, of course, release dates.

Au revoir!