2011 Cuvee Dame Honneur du Ch Lagrezette
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Tasting notes
Slightly more fresh and unevolved, the 2011 Cahors Cuvee Dame Honneur is a smoking blend of 92% Malbec and 8% Merlot that spent 24 months in barrel before blending and bottling. Cassis, violets, licorice and sweet oak flow to a full-bodied, gorgeously concentrated and focused palate that has no hard edges, sweet tannin and a big finish. Hedonistic and layered, it stays remarkably polished and elegant. It should evolve gracefully for 15 years or more. While located in Cahors and not falling under the purview of this report, I was able to taste through this lineup, and opted to include the wines here as the quality is off-the-charts. Importer: The Other Wine and Spirits LLC, www.ows-winespirits.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
So named in honour of Marguerite de Massault (1481-1556) who founded the original château. 91% Malbec, 9% Merlot from 35-year-old vines. Four-day cold maceration, fermentation in large oak with malo in new oak barriques where it spends 24 months. Very sweet and dramatic and right banky, albeit with some vivacity.Thick and with black tarry smells. It could be approached already but should have long life too. It's denser – and arguably more dramatic – than Clos Marguerite but I'm not convinced that is definitely an asset. Less fresh and sweeter. (JR)