Bordeaux 2010

James Suckling - "Believe the hype"

Make no mistake about it, the 2010 vintage is a classic Bordeaux vintage, with scores and hype equal to that of 2009. It is even preferred by many. James Suckling has given 4 wines perfect scores - Lafite, Margaux, Vieux Chateau Certan and Haut Brion Blanc. Of Lafite he has said "Believe the hype. Lafite is perfect in 2010…It is amazing. It's like gazing ino the blue sky in wonder after tasting this young wine." and "I found the 2010s extremely easy to taste..I even found them more attractive to taste than the 2009s last year at this time." 

Other top scorers from James Suckling include Cheval Blanc (99-100), Ducru-Beaucaillou (99-100), Lafleur (99-100), Mouton (99-100) and Latour (98-99). The only remaining First Growth, Haut Brion, received 97-98 points.

Decanter

"We have to remind ourselves of what we loved in 2009", Decanter’s Right Bank critic James Lawther MW said. "It was accessible with high tannins and excellent fruit, but perhaps 2010 has that magic quality – acidity."

Robert Parker

Parker believes Bordeaux 2010 is one of “three greatest Bordeaux vintages I have tasted in my career.” He argues that they will have amazing longevity with high alcohol, fresh acids, lower pHs and huge tannins.

Nine Chateaux have scored a perfect 100 from Robert Parker. Ausone 98-100; Beausejour Duffau Lagarosse 96-100; Haut Brion 98-100; l’Eglise Clinet 96-100; Lafite (98-100); Latour (98-100); Mouton Rothschild (97-100); Petrus (98-100) and Pontet Canet (96-100).“As we’ve said all along, those expecting a bargain after 2009 will be disappointed. With another set of outstanding scores, some Chateaux will undoubtedly look to raise prices on last year,” he said.

Jancis Robinson

"If I were a Bordeaux proprietor, I would be wary of showing my 2009 alongside the 2010. The supreme freshness and concentration of the 2010s tends to emphasise the relative softness, and occasional soupiness, of the 2009s - which will doubtless be hugely seductive eventually when served in isolation."

To view our full vintage report click here.