Chateau Senejac 2010
USPs for Senejac 2010 are:
From excellent vintage showing great balance, structure and phelonic ripeness;
close to appellation of Margaux(very much south of Arsac), hence stylistically fine and elegant;;
shouts quality as it is well-made under the baton of Alfred Tesseron of the famed Château Pontet Canet
Quite a serious wine depsite its humble CB classification and orign, Chateau Senejac 2010 has been designed with creating complexitites in blending 48% cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot to start. It is oak fermented, nurtured in French oak for 15 months, where 33% is new. Grapes are handpicked, sorted. Vines are 45 year-old; sufficicent production to provide good economies of scale.
Parker gave the 2009 93 points and a disappointing 89 points for vintage 2010. We think that's good, because this wine has thus been able priced low! Indeed, Tasting Team tasted 2006, 2009 and 2010,; they like 2010 best. Where Left-Bank structural character is strongest with 2006, vintage 2009 is most elegant and fine. Nonetheless there is always a freshness to the ripe, dark fruit of 2010 which gives nice complexities, and leaves a good, quite lasting impression.
Leading international tasters subsequently gave consisitently high scores, including:
92 points - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator
91 points - Neal Martin, Wine Journal
93 points - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
93 points - Jane Anson, The New Bordeaux
Leading notes to substabntiuate are:
Wine Spectator 91 “Fresh and open-knit, with friendly notes of raspberry and cherry preserves laced with hints of red licorice and toasted vanilla. Solid and direct, kept honest by just enough grip. Drink now through 2014. 21,000 cases made.” - JM, Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator 92 “Still compact, with a very briary, juicy core of plum, dark currant and braised fig, followed by a roasted tobacco edge on the finish. Offers lively acidity. Should unwind nicely. Score 92” - JM, Wine Spectator
Wine Enthusiast 93 "This chateau is under the same ownership as Saint-Julien’s Château Talbot. The wine is firm, fruity, rich and concentrated, showing all the best qualities of 2010. There is a complex array of black fruits which are sustained by the firm, solid tannins. Age for at least 6–7 years."~RV James Suckling 92 "Really ripe almost jammy sweet fruit with raspberries, black currant and vanilla. Some fresh citrusy notes too. Full on the palate with ripe fruit and soft texture. Fine smooth tannins and good length. This chateau always makes serious wine." Neal Martin 91 "Tasted at the Crus Bourgeois 2010 tasting in London. The Senejac has a superb bouquet with vigorous blackberry, wild strawberry and tobacco-tinged aromas that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, dry tannins. There is plenty of substance here with a dash of black pepper and cedar on the finish. Very St. Estephe like: this is an excellent cru bourgeois. Drink now-2018. Tasted September 2012."
