A blend of 48% Merlot 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc with 7.3% vin de presse delivering 13.9% alcohol this has a ripe blackberry nose with raspberry kirsch a touch of cassis and cedar all cloaked in warm alcohol. The palate is full-bodied with ripe slightly chewy tannins very good weight certainly more complexity that recent vintages well defined towards the finish and coping with that alcohol adeptly. This is a better Potensac than in recent years but still a little "conservative" in style.

The 2010 Potensac has a high-toned, airy bouquet with balsamic and Hoisin infusing the black fruit. The palate is well defined with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. There is something just a little “Oriental” about the style of this Potensac that delivers impressive body and grip on the finish. Very fine. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting. -- Neal Martin

Firm and prominent yet dusty tannins show one side of the richness of the vintage. The other is the ripe, black fruits, with acidity in fine balance. This estate, under the same ownership as Léoville las Cases, is serious Médoc, needing to age. ROGER VOSS

Solid, if a bit chunky, with cocoa and ganache coating a core of black currant and blackberry fruit that hangs through the muscular finish, where a warm paving stone note rings out. A touch austere, but the stuffing is there for cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2020. 16,666 cases made. — JM