Château Bolaire 2011

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Remarkably well-crafted: a distinctive nose with notes of blackcurrant and blackberry jam, gunflint, and vanilla-tinged oak; the palate reflects the same aromatic profile, velvety, fresh, balanced, and full of charm.

About the estate:

What makes this wine unique is the high percentage of Petit Verdot in its blend, typically around 40%. This grape variety reaches its full potential on the Palus terroir that dominates this 5-hectare estate, located on a former island in the Garonne River that was connected to the mainland in the Middle Ages. Full of character, the wines display exuberant aromas, generally very ripe fruit, skillfully balanced oak, and a texture that is both powerful and silky, always balanced by an elegant freshness. The exuberance and refinement characteristic of the estate are evident in the 2015 vintage, which is powerful, complex, deep, vibrant, and energetic.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Planting on well-drained marshy soil, the Bolaire vineyard is unique in its emphasis on Petit Verdot, which makes up 54% of this wine, complemented by Merlot (37%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep color with violet hues, an intense, fruit-forward nose with notes of black cherry and blackcurrant, a lively and powerful attack, well-integrated tannins that remain firm on the finish. “Solid as a rock” and already harmonious.

About the estate:

Businessman Vincent Mulliez, who passed away in 2010, had purchased Château Bolaires (Bordeaux Supérieur) in the southern Médoc region in 2004, along with Château Belle Vue and Château Gironville (Haut-Médoc), which have since become reliable investments. His heirs have taken up the torch.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

In the Macau marshes, at a place known as Le Bout de l’Île, the team at Château Belle-Vue (Haut-Médoc) crafts a superb Bordeaux Supérieur. Its distinctive character stems from a significant proportion of Petit Verdot (60% of the blend), which lends the wine a perfectly balanced spicy and minty character. With a late harvest, low-temperature vinification (to extract color and fruit expression), and barrel aging (30% new oak)—which can sometimes be a bit too dominant at the expense of the fruit—the latest vintages stand out for their seductive profile and long finish. This estate is undoubtedly one of the appellation’s safest bets!

Wine Spectator