Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 29/02/2012 Another brilliant wine from the talented Jean-Philippe Janoueix, this blend of 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet France produced a wine that came in just under 15% natural alcohol. Of course, the vineyard is near Clos Fourtet, and it seems as though a lot of properties in that band of terroir did incredible jobs in 2009. A big, black/purple-colored wine with notes of blackberries, licorice, graphite, truffle and some subtle, toasty oak, the wine is full-bodied and unctuously textured, with loads of glycerin, fruit, and a massive, velvety textured finish. This superb wine should drink well for 15 or more years. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 27/04/2010 This is the well-run St.-Emilion property of the talented Jean-Philippe Janoueix, who does such a great job with his generic Bordeaux, Croix Mouton, and Pomerol’s La Croix St.-Georges. Yields were cropped at 32 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend is 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc coming in at a whopping 14.8% alcohol. I had it four separate times, three of which were very consistent, and once slightly less evolved, but that was on the first day I was in Bordeaux rather than the 12th day, and wines made like this – aged sur-lie with a “hands off” philosophy – were often coming off their post-malolactic lees. Dense purple in color with a beautifully sweet nose of charcoal, red, blue, and black fruits, licorice, and a hint of toasty oak, this opaque wine has tremendous density, thick, juicy, fruit, and unctuous texture, and a long, long, finish. It should be relatively approachable in its youth, since the tannin, alcohol, and wood are largely concealed by the overwhelming density of the wine, and last for up to 20 or more years. (Tasted four times.) (90-93) (90-93)