90 Pts Wine Spectator

"A supple, polished, modern style, relying on creamy, mocha-tinged toast, gentle plum and blackberry fruit flavors before finishing with a lingering cocoa edge. Should stretch out nicely with modest cellaring. Drink now through 2018. -JM" (03/13)

90 Pts Neal Martin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Joanin Becot has a simple bouquet with raspberry and balsamic scents that open and muster more vigour with time, the oak nicely integrated and revealing floral tones. The palate is medium-bodied with a tannic, masculine entry. This is very structured with a dry finish, but it is balanced and poised and will benefit from several years in the cellar. Tasted January 2014." (01/14)

90 Pts James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

"Fresh spicy nose with coffee, red plums and cranberry. Some vanilla, nutmeg and white pepper. Crushed chalk behind the fruit. Vibrant and juicy red fruit on the palate with ripe tannins and good length. Medium-full body. Try in 2015." (03/13)

89 Pts Robert Parker - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Always one of the better wines from his surprisingly value-laden appellation, the Joanin-Becot’s 2010 Cotes de Castillon (tipping the scales at 14.5% natural alcohol) has supple, sweet black cherry and blackberry fruit with hints of licorice, underbrush and subtle smoky oak. This round, generous wine, made from 32 hectoliters per hectare, is a final blend of about three-fourths Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. It can be drunk now or cellared for up to 7-8 years." (02/14)

89 Pts Stephen Tanzer - Vinous Media

"(a 75/25 blend of merlot and cabernet franc): Bright dark red. Musky aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, menthol, flowers and spicy oak. Rather suave and fine-grained, with red fruit, coffee and mocha flavors complicated by sweet oak and underbrushy soil tones. Finishes with a positive herbal element, good ripe acidity and substantial lush, building tannins." (08/13)