50% merlot 45% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. Part of the reason for the high level of quality of Pessac wines in the 2010 vintage are the soil surveys that enable better planting and helps to manage the individual plots better. Larrivet-Haut-Brion is a leader in these modern techniques and also uses optical sorters that are becoming more common in Bordeaux. The nose is focused very high toned with notes of red fruit and violet. A supple entry onto the palate leads into a rich dense complex wine with loads of concentrated blackberry and blueberry flavors. There is a ton of structure here and it finishes with dry tannins and a touch of heat at the moment. Look for this to come together with the nice freshness.

Dense, winey and energetic, but also supple and alluring, with steeped plum and boysenberry fruit inlaid with hints of singed anise, violet and warm stone. The tarry finish strides with authority, revealing ample grip for cellaring. A strong showing for this estate in '10. Best from 2015 through 2028. – JM

A sleeper of the vintage from this under-the-radar estate, this is a complex, fragrant, sexy style of wine with deep ruby purple color, loads of red and black fruits intermixed with caramelized character, supple tannins, a savory and expansive mid-palate and finish, and sweet tannin. I found this wine extremely endearing and far better from bottle than it had shown from barrel. Give it several years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades. - Robert Parker