Wine Advocate (99+)

The deep garnet colored 2010 Angélus is an atomic bomb of powerful fruit scents from the moment the cork is pulled! Boysenberries, stewed plums, blackcurrant cordial and black raspberries all burst from the glass, followed up by nuances of tar, star anise, mocha and unsmoked cigars plus a waft of camphor. The big, rich, full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, featuring super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and tons of freshness to support the taut, muscular black fruits, finishing very long and savory. It's starting to enter its drinking window, but based on this tasting, I would recommend waiting another 3-5 years before broaching and then drinking it over the next 40+ years.

Wine Enthusiast (92)

91-93 A very complete wine, packed with just the right level of tannins and with the sweet plum fruit pushing through to give richness to the acidity.

Falstaff (100)

Dark ruby ​​with purple reflections and a delicate watery rim. A multi-faceted bouquet of wild berry confit underlaid with delicate smoky-spice, savory notes of fine oak and subtle nougat with a dark minerality. The complex palate is full-bodied with a fruity texture, firm, well-integrated tannins, fine acidity, salinity and delicate chocolate and ripe black cherry notes on a finish which has excellent length. This is at the beginning of a glorious career. But at the moment, this wine gives only a vague hint of what it will show in ten years and more, patience is absolutely required here. (Store/Drink +50).

Falstaff (100)

Dark ruby ​​with purple reflections and a delicate watery rim. A multi-faceted bouquet of wild berry confit underlaid with delicate smoky-spice, savory notes of fine oak and subtle nougat with a dark minerality. The complex palate is full-bodied with a fruity texture, firm, well-integrated tannins, fine acidity, salinity and delicate chocolate and ripe black cherry notes on a finish which has excellent length. This is at the beginning of a glorious career. But at the moment, this wine gives only a vague hint of what it will show in ten years and more, patience is absolutely required here. (Store/Drink +50).

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

Ripe black cherries, darker currants, smoky earth, truffle, and smoke tobacco-like nuances all emerge from the 2010 Château Barde-Haut, a quintessential Saint-Emilion that brings considerable elegance and purity, as well as the richness and depth of the vintage. It's just now at the early stages of its drinking window and has another 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (87-90)

Deep yellow-gold. Delicate aromas of fresh citrus, saffron and chamomile. Oily, viscous and rich on entry, then a bit chunky in the middle. Not particularly sweet on the persistent lemon-and-honey finish.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (96)

We are in full on classic Pauillac territory here, sculpted and balanced juicy blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, great lift on the finish, one of best value wines of the tasting, sleek tannins, studded with freshly cut herbs and charcoal. For a long time the 2009 was the best of the two vintages at Batailley, but the 2010 is now taking the lead. 55% new oak for ageing, Philippe Casteja owner.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)

Intense and concentrated, with muscular but velvety tannins, a ton of limestone-induced slate and pumice stone juice that kicks in after a few moments. Nowhere near at the perfect drinking window, this was the second year with Nicolas Thienpont, and his more concentrated style, together with the natural impact of the vintage, means you need patience, but it's a wine I'd be willing to get on. There are delicate floral notes underneath the black fruits, and a salted cracker finish. Bernard Oizeau cellar master, yields of 21hl/h.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (98)

Considering that this was two years before Belair tooks today's shape by bringing in the vineyards of Château Magdeleine (also Moueix owned), it is extremely impressive just how complete, balanced and just purely enjoyable this is. As with the 2009, it has a ton of personality and character, placing it fully on the limestone plateau with its pumice stone minerality, and its restrained, subtle but pleasure-driven fennel and anis-studded brambled fruits. 50% new oak for ageing.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (93)

Enjoyable and unfussy, not the most concentrated of the 2010s in this lineup, full of dark brambled fruits, enjoyable and easy to drink, plenty of character.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)

(a blend of 50% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 20% petit verdot): Bright, medium red-ruby. Reduced aromas of black fruits, licorice, dark chocolate and tobacco leaf. Supple on entry, then a bit herbal and lean in the middle but with good freshness to the flavors of cassis, redcurrant and cedar. A juicy wine with modest flesh.

James Suckling (93)

A beautiful core of ripe fruits and berries, with currants and spices. Full and silky. Very polished.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (94+)

Saturated dark ruby. High-toned aromas of black raspberry, blueberry and smoky oak. Superripe, lush, chewy and deep, with a distinctly high-toned quality to the fine-grained flavors of wild dark berries, espresso, graphite and dark chocolate. For all its sweetness, there's no shortage of acidity here. The broad, sweet, building tannins give shape to the fruit of this massive wine, which remained impressively fresh in the recorked bottle.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

This 2010 just nudges the 2009 for me in terms of future potential if you are looking to cellar over the long term. Has depth and silky tannins, layers of bitter black chocolate, tea, cocoa bean, espresso, salted cracker, rosemary, sage, anis, and aromatics of crushed roses as it opens. Great quality, a ton of complexity. 60% new oak for ageing, September 27 to October 13 for harvest.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)

This 2010 just nudges the 2009 for me in terms of future potential if you are looking to cellar over the long term. Has depth and silky tannins, layers of bitter black chocolate, tea, cocoa bean, espresso, salted cracker, rosemary, sage, anis, and aromatics of crushed roses as it opens. Great quality, a ton of complexity. 60% new oak for ageing, September 27 to October 13 for harvest.

James Suckling (94)

What a nose with green olives, olive oil and dark fruit aromas. Full body, with fabulous soft tannins and a glorious texture. It's long and so pretty. Delicious already. Second wine of L'Evangile.

Immerse yourself in the prestige and elegance of Bonalgue 2010, an extraordinary Pomerol hailing from a small village in Bordeaux, France. This exquisite, finely-structured vintage conveys the dedication and mastery of Château Bonalgue, renowned for its authentic, traditionally crafted wines. The high percentage of Merlot brings forward a delicately fruit-forward profile, while Cabernet Franc provides structured tannins and a supple, persistent finish.

The grapes, grown in the vineyard's unique gravelly clay-laden soils, undergo traditional vinification in thermoregulated stainless-steel vats, facilitating a slow and balanced fermentation that fully expresses the terroir. The Bonalgue 2010 also basks in 18 months in French oak barrels; a subtlety adding depth, complexity and gentle cigar box notes to its profile. Reputable sources like Decanter beautifully describe this '2010 as an alluring blend of finesse and power with remarkable ageing potential, thus a great option for collectors and enthusiasts venturing into Pomerol. A true embodiment of the famous ‘Bonalgue’ signature style.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2010 Branaire-Ducru has a lovely mélange of red and black fruit, hints of dried blood and autumn leaves suggesting that this is moving into its secondary phase. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, good body and a fresh marine-tinged finish that is an absolute joy. There is an abiding symmetry about this wine and it is in for the long-haul. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

Wine Advocate (97)

Once again in 2010, notes of mocha, espresso roast, chocolate, creme de cassis and scorched earth soar from this opaque purple-colored wine. It is aged in 100% new oak, but that is hardly noticeable given the wine’s sensational richness and extravagant fruit. This wine is classic, full-bodied and intense. It’s just a shame that less than 8,000 bottles are usually made. This wine is still backward, but very full, rich, and impressively pure in texture. Give it another 5-8 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20+ years.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (97)

The Denise Gasqueton years, and this is very much old school and very much delicious. Bursting with black chocolate, charcoal, crayon, campfire, cassis, bilberries, rose buds, bay leaf. This is pure Calon and you just want to pour yourself inside it. 100% new oak.

Decanter (98)

Vivid, crystal-clear fruit aromas, juicy black cherry, ripe plum and succulent blackberry, combining with artisanal dark chocolate, violet and fresh tobacco leaf, making this wine incredibly complex and still very youthful. Its layered and finely textured palate almost hides powerful density, with freshness to balance opulence, leading to a long finish. Serve with beef Wellington. Or cellar for 10 years for more tertiary flavours.