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B-21 Top Recommendation
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Without a doubt, one of my favorite people in the wine industry – especially speaking of Bordeaux – is the ever jovial Hélène Garcin-Lévêque, owner of the Bordeaux-based Chateaux Barde-Haut, Haut-Bergey, Clos l'Eglise as well as Poesia in Argentina. Since taking over her family's business in the early 2000s and settling with her family in Saint Emilion, she has greatly increased the level of quality at her estates while bringing a breath of fresh air to the business of sales and promotions. A savvy lady of the vine first and foremost, her first order of business was to initiate a program of organic and sustainable vineyard management across each of her estates. This commitment to soil and vine began to take root by the 2009 and subsequent vintages, with her 2010s and 2012s some of the best she has bottled to date.
In particular, at Haut-Bergey in Pessac-Leognan, with its south by south-west exposure and sloping, gravely terroir, intensive vineyard work and strict hands-on approach to harvest and selection resulted in outstanding critical acclaim for 2010 and '12. Across the river, at Barde-Haut in St. Emilion, the same tireless efforts paid serious dividends when, in 2012, this ancient estate was elevated to Grand Cru Classe de Saint-Emilion. Barde-Haut's limestone amphitheater of a vineyard boasts vines planted just after World War II, and under Hélène's guidance, recent efforts have been outstanding. Today, we bring three of Hélène's recent beauties for your consideration, at some of the best pricing in America. |
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From Helene Garcin, this blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot displays classic tobacco leaf and smoky barbecue notes along with rich black currants and crushed rocks in a medium to full-bodied, seductive, attractively up-front style. Some Asian plum sauce is also noticeable in this complex, evolved and delicious wine, which can be drunk over the next 10-15 years. It is a sleeper of the vintage.
92 points, Wine Advocate (Issue # 205 - Feb 2013)
Offers lush fruit, with dark raspberry and boysenberry notes, good, graphite-laced structure and bright acidity weaving throughout. The long, smoldering finish features an appealing licorice snap and violet profile. Best from 2015 through 2025. 10,000 cases made.
92 points, Wine Spectator (2013)
Good dark ruby-red. Wild aromas of black cherry, incense and sexy oak. Smooth, plush and rich, with rather full-bodied flavors of plum, tobacco, flowers, minerals and herbs. The sweet finish features a fine dusting of tannins that will not get in the way of enjoying this wine soon.
91 points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous (Jul 2013)
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