La Joie 2011

La Joie (Glæden) er Pierre og Hélène Seillan's kærlighedserklæring til det helt klassiske udtryk i vinene fra Bordeaux venstre bred sådan som det udfoldes i de 2 Pauillac giganter Château Lafite Rothschild og Château Mouton Rothschild. 94 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Bright saturated ruby. Extremely dark aromas of crushed blueberry, violet, bitter chocolate, licorice and camphor. Peppery and precise but not green, with outstanding dark fruit and violet intensity accentuated by an electric impression of energy. This seriously tannic Le Desir will need at least eight years of cellaring before it approaches its plane of peak drinkability. (ST) (5/2014) 93 points Vinous Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage in the 2011 La Joie. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, mint, licorice, savory herbs and violets are all laced together nicely. The 2011 possesses lovely mid-palate sweetness in the soft, restrained style of the year. Here, too, the flavor profile is distinctly Old World leaning. (AG) (1/2015) 90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate A Médoc-inspired wine, the 2011 La Joie (2,800 cases) is composed of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and the rest small quantities of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. It reveals a slight austerity (typical for this vintage) as well as dry tannins in a reasonably long finish for a 2011. The deep ruby/plum/purple color is followed by notes of tobacco leaf, forest floor, blackcurrants, chocolate and vanilla. Medium-bodied with an impressive attack and mid-palate, some hard tannins give the wine an angular aftertaste. (RP) (12/2014) This year started out as another great vintage; cool nights, sunny days and low humidity. The 2011 season had late spring rains and flowering, followed by a not-too-hot summer. It was a long growing season, which produced lower alcohols and very balanced fruit with good acidity and great expression of micro-cru distinction. We began picking September 26th with Merlot from Chalk Hill and finished October 19th with Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Mountain Estate. – Pierre Seillan, Vigneron Notes On the nose sweet red and black fruits abound; red and black plum, ripe redcurrant and tart black cherry. Balancing the fruit are elements of pencil lead, pen ink, powdered mushroom, fresh cut herbs and menthol. These notes are all framed with oak elements of powdered cocoa, toast, clove and nutmeg. A subtle, earthy component of freshly turned topsoil underscores the finish. Composition 74% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Cabernet Franc 7% Merlot 6% Petit Verdot 3% Malbec