Revisiting Chateau Senejac 2010, Haut Medoc
Classic ruby, tight rim. Fragrant dry purple flowers. Cherries and plum fruit and cranberries on the first nose. Meaty, cedar notes with a touch of chocolate and wood spice on the second. Round, earthy and tamed tannic on the palate - well balanced- with adequate length leading to medium finish reflecting grapes characters. Quite a serious wine despite its humble CB classification and origin, Chateau Senejac 2010 hasd intensity been designed with creating certain complexities 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; sufficient production to provide good economies of scale. From excellent vintage showing great balance, structure and phenolic ripeness, this wine shouts quality for the class and is stylistically akin to an mature Arsac Margaux.
We think that's good because this wine has thus been ably 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 consistently high scores in the level of 93 above and beyond, including: 93 points - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 93 points - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 93 points - Jane Anson, The New Bordeaux.
Leading notes to substantiate are: Wine Spectator “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 “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 "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 "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."
