Decanter recently published an article on the trade's first impressions of 2010 on the Right Bank, following the Cercle Rive Droite tasting in London last Thursday, which featured wines from 30 producers - including the St-Emilion Grands Crus Classes. Whilst concerns were reported over high alcohol levels, the wines received kudos for their remarkable freshness and high Cabernet Franc content, which is said to have added perfume, spice and juiciness. According to Decanter, a typical 2010 blend contains as much as 20 per cent Cabernet Franc (rather than the usual 10-15 per cent) – a prominence that reflects problems of over-ripeness in the Merlot.
Aside from misgivings over alcohol levels, some critics noted that acidity levels may drop as most of the wines are still undergoing maloactic fermentation. On the whole, however, the 2010s were “concentrated and – at the moment – balanced by good acidity. Tannins are ripe and powerful”.
Read the full article here.
