Notes: Hachette: 2** (Remarkable Wine) + Coup de Coeur, Decanter 4**** (Highly Recommended) and ranked among the 100 best wines of 2011
"The least we can say is that the handover between Luc Touchais and his son Lionel has been a success. For his first vintage, the latter, a trained oenologist, has pulled off a masterstroke. Draped in a crimson velvet robe, this bottle conquers with its bouquet of vibrant aromas: dried fruit, toasted almonds, blackberry jam and red berries. The palate is triumphant: rich, smooth, long and supported by a very nice tannic structure, it reveals a balance close to perfection. Already very harmonious, it will be just as good in four or five years. This wine is an undisputed favorite and deserves a choice dish: a wood pigeon salmis to stay in the Médoc spirit. (Guide Hachette des Vins 2012)
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Eye
Attractive dark color with purple highlights
Nose
The nose expresses notes of black fruit, cedar, spices, leather, and bouquet garni.
Mouth
With lovely black fruit, grainy tannins, elegant and flavorful acidity, full of flavor.
Serve
in a carafe at 17°-18°C
Open
and decant 2 hours before serving
Drink from
2012
Apogee
2013
Drink before
2019
Production
65,000 bottles
Food and wine pairings
Une viande rouge grillée ou en sauce, de l'agneau rôti, un perdreau rôti, un magret de canard aux cerises, un plateau de fromages affinés...<br/>
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2021 guide) Selected (An estate or winery that impressed us with one or more of its wines, but where we are unable to give an overall opinion on the style of the entire range)
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2020 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer's wines are regularly recognized by the guide)
About the estate:
A noble estate in the 14th century, this 20-hectare vineyard is dominated by an elegant charterhouse built by Victor Louis at the end of the 18th century. It was purchased in 1964 by the Touchais family, who came from the Anjou vineyards. Luc Touchais replanted it in 1973 and passed it on to his son Lionel in 2005, an oenologist with experience in various foreign estates.
Wine Enthusiast
Rated estate (2020 guide) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Wine Enthusiast)
Jancis Robinson
Rated Recommended
James Suckling
Rated Recommended
Customer rating
3.5/5
based on 80 reviews
Review and opinion by Mr. FRANCK S. Published on 03/29/2016
A very good wine that I am drinking at the moment. My friends and family unanimously agree that it is very, very good.
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Review and opinion by Mr. THIERRY V. Published on 03/26/2015
Excellent wines, this is not my first Balac.
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Review and opinion by Mr. FREDERIC B. Published on 11/14/2014
red fruits and long finish, but remains average
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Review and opinion by Mr. ERIC G. Published on 08/19/2014
Is it a Médoc? Let's wait and see... The years go by, the bottles are emptied, but the pleasure is still not there. Not bad, but you can find just as good in GS, so...
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Note and opinion by Mr. CAMILLE D. Published on March 16, 2014
Drunk in 2012 and 2014. It deserved to be kept for two extra years, which allowed the wine to open up completely. Excellent!
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Review and opinion by Mr. GERALD P. Published on 01/02/2014
An Ht Médoc that is easy to drink, although, for my taste, it lacks some of the power typical of this appellation.
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Note and opinion by Mr. SARKIS D. Published on October 8, 2013
Aromatic bouquet. Fruity and structured. Good length. A sweet and sensual wine.
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Review and opinion by Ms. KATIA B. Published on 04/24/2013
Here too, I am mistaken. This wine deserves 5/5. It is only when you drink more that you realize this; rich, refined, and complex.
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Note and opinion by Mr. LAURENT P. Published on 10/19/2012
Generous - good potential - pairs perfectly with a ribeye steak with Roquefort sauce.
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Note and opinion by Mr. PATRICK G. Published on 01/04/2025
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