This formidable wine has loads of structure, an undeniable chalky minerality, big, rich blackberry and creme de cassis fruit, with hints of spring flowers, tar and licorice. Magnificent and pure, this is a killer example of St.-Emilion that is full-bodied and capable of lasting 25-30 years. Drink: 2013 - 2043

Another micro-estate with production well under 500 cases, Les Asteries has produced a 2010 made from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that comes from another parcel of land close to Clos Fourtet with vines nearly 70 years old.
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #205 Feb 2013

(91-94 pts)
2010: Another tiny production offering from proprietor Jonathan Maltus, this blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc is produced from a single vineyard situated near La Carre. The 2010 reveals notes of powdered rock as well as red and black fruits, moderately high tannin, good acidity and a fresh, lively, medium to full-bodied personality. Although slightly austere, it has not fleshed out from its late malolactic, but it looks very impressive. Give it 2-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 15+ years.

This formidable wine has loads of structure, an undeniable chalky minerality, big, rich blackberry and creme de cassis fruit, with hints of spring flowers, tar and licorice. Magnificent and pure, this is a killer example of St.-Emilion that is full-bodied and capable of lasting 25-30 years. Another micro-estate with production well under 500 cases, Les Asteries has produced a 2010 made from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that comes from another parcel of land close to Clos Fourtet with vines nearly 70 years old.

(83% merlot and 17% cabernet franc; 3.46 pH; 14.7 % alcohol) Medium dark ruby. Fruity, pure aromas of raspberry, graphite, white pepper and violet. At once rich and linear, offering a wonderfully vibrant expression of raspberry, red cherry and graphite. The long, sweet finish shows a steely, peppery quality. This wine comes from 80-year-old vines situated on very thin clay over hard limestone, which survived the frost of 1956. I like this wine's purity and the fact that the cabernet franc, even though compromising only a small part of the blend, makes its presence felt.

(15% alcohol): Good ruby-red. Reticent but pure aromas and flavors of plum, violet, lavender pastille, white pepper, smoked meat and oak. Deep, layered and rather backward, with strong calcaire character giving the wine excellent inner-mouth tension. Finishes floral and long, with firm tannins and excellent purity and lift.

Tasted at Chateau Teyssier. The Les Asteries has a very seductive bouquet with macerated black cherries, blueberry and cassis that blossom in the glass. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins, showing a little more flesh than the Le Carré. It is nicely focused, grippy in the mouth with hints of Christmas cake towards the finish. Excellent. Tasted November 2012.

(92-94 pts)
Les Asteries is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc with fine mineralité on the nose and great purity. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannins, quite tense, good acidity with a touch of blackberry leaf on the finish. This is expressing its terroir better than recent vintages, very refined and natural. Drink 2013- Tasted March 2011.

Mineral and blackberry with a fresh herb note. Full and velvety.