2010 Chateau La Vieille Cure, Fronsac

Always one of the ripest and most hedonistic of the Fronsacs, this wine again delivers the goods. Dense ruby/purple, with loads of black currant and licorice-infused black raspberry fruit, this wine has stunning density, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and impressive purity, texture and length. The high Merlot content always seems to ensure a wine that has accessibility young, but also has the potential to easily last for a decade or more. This is once again a major sleeper of the vintage. A stunningly opulent, even voluptuous style of wine from proprietor Colin Ferenbach (an American, of all things!), this blend of 75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon emerges from 45 acres of hillside vineyards in Fronsac.

Bright ruby-red. Expressive aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, licorice and violet, plus a hint of leathery rusticity. Deep, sweet and fine-grained, with tactile, palate-saturating flavors of dark raspberry and smoked meat. Finishes with broad, dusty, serious tannins and noteworthy length. A very impressive vintage for this chateau, this has the stuffing to age.