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Search Flickinger Wine Inventory
Inventory updated: Sat, Oct 25, 2025 11:02 AM cst
Your search criteria:
Regions: Bordeaux Red
Vintages: Between 2009 and 2009
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Angelus |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML) 
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,672.97 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 99 (2/2012): A candidate for one of the finest Angelus produced to date (and there have been many, including 1989, 1990, 2000 and 2005), this blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc was fashioned from tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. It boasts a black/purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of blueberry liqueur, spring flowers and graphite. In the mouth, notes of incense and cassis also emerge from this velvety-textured, full-bodied, intensely concentrated 2009. With silky tannins, low acidity and spectacular purity, texture and depth, it is already approachable (although I’m sure proprietor Hubert de Bouard would think drinking it now is akin to infanticide), but should keep for 20-30+ years.
JS 97 (2/2012): Gorgeous nose of crushed blackberries with bramble berries and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and polished tannins. Compacted texture. Long, long finish. Try in 2020.
WS 96 (3/2012): Rich and rather stolid now, this features a wall of roasted apple wood and charcoal flavors in front of the dense core of black Mission fig, steeped black currant fruit and espresso notes. Extremely dense on the finish, but the inlaid spice and tobacco hints are there just beneath the surface, needing only extended cellaring to emerge fully. One of the larger-scaled efforts of the vintage. Best from 2018 through 2035. 8,165 cases made.
VM 95 (7/2012): Deep, saturated ruby to the rim. Superripe, high-toned aromas of kirsch and dark chocolate. Large-scaled, ripe and chocolatey, conveying a distinctly exotic character and an impression of power. Finishes with huge but ripe tannins and a lingering note of mocha. For the first 24 hours in the bottle the vintage dominated the wine's cabernet franc character, but eventually blackberry, violet and licorice elements emerged. Built for a long life in bottle. |
|
| Ch. Ausone |
2009 |
St. Emilion |
$895 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 100 (2/2012): Incredible nose of currants and blueberries. Flowers too. Licorice. Such purity on the nose of Cabernet Franc. Full body, incredible structure, with fabulous tannins and a long, long finish. Built out of stone. The perfect Ausone. Try after 2022.
WA 98+ (2/2012): A masterpiece in the making, proprietor Alain Vauthier’s 2009 Ausone boasts a dense purple color along with notes of powdered chalk, crushed rocks and wild blue, red and black fruits. Extravagantly rich with great minerality, precision and freshness as well as a voluptuous texture (unusual for a baby Ausone), this is an extraordinary wine. Sadly, there are fewer than 1,200 cases ... for the world. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2060+.
VM 97 (3/2019): The 2009 Ausone has a sumptuous bouquet with pure blackberry, raspberry, rose petal and orange blossom aromas. The wine is beautifully defined blossoms with aeration. It becomes very liquorice and menthol-like after 10 minutes’ aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. It is not a powerful 2009 and it feels sleek and quite tensile. Pure red fruit linger in the mouth with a very deft, almost understated finish. So elegant, so Ausone. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Beausejour (J. Duffau-Lagarosse) |
2009 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,969.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (2/2012): This big wine (nearly 15% natural alcohol) is a blend of 77% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. It boasts an opaque blue/purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of charcoal, incense, truffles, blackberry jam, black currants, raspberries and flowers. While enormous in the mouth, the limestone soils in which the grapes are grown give the wine good freshness as well as laser-like clarity and precision. Amazing to taste, this massive, super-concentrated powerhouse comes across as ethereal and almost feminine despite its extravagant fruit, density and richness. It is a modern day legend for sure! Anticipated maturity: 2025-2050+ |
|
| Ch. Branaire-Ducru |
2009 |
St. Julien (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,078.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (2/2012): Haut couture becomes a wine! This dense purple wine has the tell-tale notes of flowers and pencil shavings, and its broad aromatics are intense and totally captivating. Powerful, rich, and full, but less tannic than the 2005 and more opulent, this is a dazzling Branaire to drink between 2017-2035.
JS 95 (2/2012): Gorgeous aromas of dark berries and wet earth, with hints of graphite. Full body, with juicy, chewy tannins and a long rich, fruity, and succulent finish. Best ever from here. Try in 2019.
VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright, deep ruby. Superripe, brooding aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Sweet, concentrated and fine-grained, with terrific depth to the plush cassis and coffee liqueur flavors. Serious dusty, fine tannins will not stand in the way of early approachability but this wine has the structure for a 20+-year life in bottle.
WS 93 (3/2012): A ripe, chewy, muscular style, with good cut despite the hefty tar, blackberry, roasted fig and singed apple wood notes. The long, anise-stained finish lets the tarry edge play out, though this shows a touch more finesse than some of its colleagues. Best from 2015 through 2025. 12,000 cases made.
NM 92 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Branaire Ducru ‘09 seems more forward than other wines, a touch of VA informing the sweet red fruits. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly jammy redcurrant and cranberry fruit laced with soy. The finish is missing some of the tension and purity of its peers although it appears to meliorate in the glass. |
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|
2009 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,127.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (2/2012): Haut couture becomes a wine! This dense purple wine has the tell-tale notes of flowers and pencil shavings, and its broad aromatics are intense and totally captivating. Powerful, rich, and full, but less tannic than the 2005 and more opulent, this is a dazzling Branaire to drink between 2017-2035.
JS 95 (2/2012): Gorgeous aromas of dark berries and wet earth, with hints of graphite. Full body, with juicy, chewy tannins and a long rich, fruity, and succulent finish. Best ever from here. Try in 2019.
VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright, deep ruby. Superripe, brooding aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Sweet, concentrated and fine-grained, with terrific depth to the plush cassis and coffee liqueur flavors. Serious dusty, fine tannins will not stand in the way of early approachability but this wine has the structure for a 20+-year life in bottle.
WS 93 (3/2012): A ripe, chewy, muscular style, with good cut despite the hefty tar, blackberry, roasted fig and singed apple wood notes. The long, anise-stained finish lets the tarry edge play out, though this shows a touch more finesse than some of its colleagues. Best from 2015 through 2025. 12,000 cases made.
NM 92 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Branaire Ducru ‘09 seems more forward than other wines, a touch of VA informing the sweet red fruits. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly jammy redcurrant and cranberry fruit laced with soy. The finish is missing some of the tension and purity of its peers although it appears to meliorate in the glass. |
|
| Ch. Calon-Segur |
2009 |
St. Estephe (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,944.98 |
1 |
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WA 94 (2/2012): The 2009 has the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) ever included in a Calon-Segur (the rest is Merlot and Petit Verdot). Completely different from its St.-Estephe brethren, it is more backward and structured with a dense purple color, lots of black cherry, black currant, loamy earth, forest floor and spice notes, excruciatingly high levels of tannin, and a wonderful inner core of sweetness and concentration. It could behave like the 1982, which, at age 30, is just becoming mature. The 2009 is an uncompromising, masculine, massive style of wine that needs 15-20 years of cellaring even in this luscious, flashy, flamboyant vintage. It is super-tight and needs lots of coaxing and aeration. Anticipated maturity: 2025-2050+.
VM 94 (7/2012): Good dark red. Musky, highly complex nose offers plum, blackcurrant, camphor, menthol, violet and lavender. Remarkably silky and fine-grained, combining Outstanding subtle concentration and terrific inner-mouth energy. This very rich but classically dry Saint-Estephe finishes with lush, noble tannins and Outstanding complexity. A great vintage for this estate, and a classic claret in a traditional style.
WS 93-96 (8/2010): Delivers gorgeous aromas of blackberry, blueberry and licorice, with hints of tobacco and spice. Full-bodied, offering a lovely texture and refinement. Very long and beautiful, with tangy acidity and lively fruit. A rich, yet very balanced, Calon. This is almost all Cabernet Sauvignon instead of the normal blend with 40 percent Merlot. The château is now using 100 percent new wood. Like the changes. |
|
| Ch. Canon |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,103.98 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 96 (2/2012): Aromas of nuts, spices, chocolate powder, then changes to fruits and flowers. Fascinating. Full body, with silky tannins and a wonderful intensity and super polished tannins with a long, long finish. Super refined. Best Canon in years. Try in 2016.
NM 95 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Two bottles were tasted in different flights, the first seeming to be just a little more monotonous than I would have liked, however the second was far more attractive. It has a beautiful nose with lifted blackcurrant and bilberry fruit laced with minerals and cedar. The oak is quite noticeable but in synch with the fruit. The palate is silky and smooth on the entry. It is fleshy in the mouth, but belying the firm structure underneath. Perhaps it would benefit from more tension towards the finish but that is a minor quibble. Charming as ever.
WA 94 (2/2012): The finest Canon since the 1982, the 2009 (75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc) reveals a dense blue/purple color along with a classic nose of chalk dust, blueberries, black raspberries, black currants and a touch of wood smoke. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and loaded with an inner framework of minerality and moderately high tannins, this backward, but stylish, concentrated Canon will benefit from 7-8 years of cellaring and last for three decades.
WS 94 (3/2013): Ripe and dense, but very vibrant and energetic, as a torrent of cassis, blackberry coulis and fig paste rushes through, framed by enticing black licorice and evenly roasted alder and juniper notes. The long finish has lots of grip and acidity, but they work together and are deeply embedded. Captures the fruit and structure of the vintage superbly. Best from 2015 through 2030. 6,165 cases made.
VM 92 (7/2012): Ruby-red. Superripe, slightly roasted aromas of cherry, graphite, spices and herbs. Then thick, sweet and very ripe on the palate but a bit youthfully restrained. This full-bodied Canon could use a bit more lift but maintains very good focus. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and excellent length. |
|
| Ch. Canon La Gaffeliere |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,644.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 97 (2/2012): Porcini mushrooms, with dark and ripe fruits. Turns to licorice and violets. Full body, with round and soft tannins and a long delicious finish. The texture is gorgeous. So much going on in the glass. Try after 2018.
WS 96 (3/2012): (Wine Spectator #23 wine of 2012) This is well-cloaked for now in roasted vanilla and espresso notes, but there's ample, fleshy fig sauce and mulled blackberry fruit in reserve. The long finish sports a melted licorice snap feel. Dense, but beautifully polished and pure. For the cellar. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2015 through 2030. 5,140 cases made.
WA 95 (2/2012): An intriguing blend of nearly 50% Merlot, a whopping 35% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon (a somewhat unusual combination for this region), the 2009 reminds me of the 1990. A big, inky/purple-tinged wine with just over 14% natural alcohol, it exhibits exotic, flamboyant aromas of espresso roast, incense, sweet black cherries, black currants, licorice, asphalt, barbecue smoke, Christmas fruitcake and herbs. Full-bodied with silky tannins, luscious fruit, a hedonistic yet complex personality, low acidity, noticeable tannin and enviable purity, this head-turning beauty can be enjoyed over the next 15-20 years.
NM 95 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. You cannot really argue with wines as downright sexy as this! The 2009 has a rich, sumptuous nose with pure macerated dark cherries and cassis with hints of graphite underneath. The oak is well integrated and precise. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins that are perfectly enmeshed with the fruit, lending it grace and harmony. The finish is quite backward but it is very well defined and glides to its conclusion.
VM 92 (7/2012): Bright ruby-red. Jammy, exotic aromas of black raspberry and smoke; wild and slightly high-toned in a syrah way. Dense, sweet and layered, with lovely saline complexity to the ripe black raspberry flavor. Finishes sweet, plush and very long, with smooth tannins and plenty of early sex appeal. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Ch. Cantemerle |
2009 |
Haut Medoc (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$757.97 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 95 (2/2012): Gorgeous ripe fruit character, with loads of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity, fresh, grapefruit aftertaste. Really beautiful. Best ever from here. Best after 2018.
WA 91+ (2/2012): Readers looking for the more ethereal, elegant side of Bordeaux need search no further than Cantemerle, one of the estates in the very southern end of the Medoc. Dense ruby/purple (nearly opaque), this wine offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, raspberries and black cherries. The wine is ethereal, medium-bodied, and by no means a blockbuster, but long and intellectual. However, the tannins are present, and the wine is certainly capable of putting on weight with time in the bottle. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 25+ years.
VM 90+ (7/2012): Bright, deep ruby-red. High-pitched, inky aromas of blackberry, violet and licorice. Juicy, lively and penetrating, with a restrained sweetness and a distinctly cool quality to its black fruit and graphite flavors. Nicely dense but not a fleshy style of 2009. Finishes with firm tannins and sneaky length, and a light touch. I'd lay this down for five or six years; it should last for a good two decades.
WS 91 (3/2012): This broad, fleshy style delivers toasty spice and tobacco notes up front, followed by dark cocoa, crushed plum and mulled blackberry fruit flavors. This really stretches out nicely in the glass, with alluring dark fruit and a velvety feel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2017. 33,330 cases made. |
|
| Le Carre |
2009 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$476.98 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 97 (2/2012): Achieving nearly 15% natural alcohol (one of the highest of the Jonathan Maltus St. Emilion estates) , this blend of approximately 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc is from vineyards that sit on limestone soils near Clos Fourtet, an area that performed brilliantly in 2009. Inky purple, with notes of graphite, vanillin, blackberry and cassis as well as crushed rock and floral notes, the wine has breathtaking extravagance and a luxuriant fruit quality that simply has to be tasted to be believed. Phenomenally rich, full-bodied, and brilliantly poised and well-balanced, this is a tour de force in winemaking and a colossal Le Carre, the finest Jonathan Maltus has yet produced. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.
VM 93 (7/2012): Full medium ruby. High-pitched aromas of blackberry, graphite, mocha, crushed stone and sexy smoky oak, all lifted by a violet perfume. Densely packed and very fine-grained, with lovely limestone energy lifting the dark fruit, graphite and licorice flavors. Tactile, intense, mineral-driven wine with a suavely tannic finish featuring excellent lift and some exotic oak tones.
WS 93 (3/2012): This is densely layered, displaying a creamy edge that makes the plum sauce, roasted fig and blackberry paste flavors seem accessible now, but the dense bittersweet cocoa and blueberry reduction notes add grip on the finish, and will require cellaring to meld fully. Best from 2014 through 2026. 300 cases made. |
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| Carruades de Lafite |
2009 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,969.97 |
2 |
|
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|
| Domaine de Chevalier |
2009 |
Pessac Leognan (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,169.98 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (2/2012): In late 2011, I had the last bottle in my cellar of the 1970 Domaine de Chevalier. Much to my surprise, it was still holding on to life and remained gorgeously complex in that ethereal Graves style. The 2009, one of the finest Domaine de Chevaliers yet produced, reveals a striking bouquet of burning embers, sweet cherry, black and red currant fruit, spice box, cedar and lead pencil shavings. The tannins are sweet in this fleshy, full-bodied offering. It is built on the notion of extraordinary harmony, elegance and complexity. While not the most concentrated or flamboyant 2009, its intense aromas are already reasonably evolved and its lusciousness and balance are terrific. Made from an interesting blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, its yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare were slightly higher than many of its neighbors achieved. Drink it over the next 25 years.
VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright, medium ruby-red. Nuanced, expressive nose combines dark cherry, redcurrant, mocha, graphite, cedar and hot bricks. Plush on entry, then sweet but firm in the middle, with a solid mineral spine giving shape to the fine-grained dark berry and cedar flavors. This wonderfully glossy wine boasts excellent structure on the subtly long back end, with its ripe cabernet sauvignon component much more apparent today than its merlot.
WS 93 (3/2012): Very rich, but sleek and pure, with beautiful mouthfeel and layers of enticing fig, steeped blackberry and warm currant confiture nicely stitched with black tea and mesquite. The long finish has a tarry underlay, but stays polished. Approachable for its mouthfeel, but has the balance to age nicely. Drink now through 2025. 12,000 cases made. |
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|
2009 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,321.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (2/2012): In late 2011, I had the last bottle in my cellar of the 1970 Domaine de Chevalier. Much to my surprise, it was still holding on to life and remained gorgeously complex in that ethereal Graves style. The 2009, one of the finest Domaine de Chevaliers yet produced, reveals a striking bouquet of burning embers, sweet cherry, black and red currant fruit, spice box, cedar and lead pencil shavings. The tannins are sweet in this fleshy, full-bodied offering. It is built on the notion of extraordinary harmony, elegance and complexity. While not the most concentrated or flamboyant 2009, its intense aromas are already reasonably evolved and its lusciousness and balance are terrific. Made from an interesting blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, its yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare were slightly higher than many of its neighbors achieved. Drink it over the next 25 years.
VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright, medium ruby-red. Nuanced, expressive nose combines dark cherry, redcurrant, mocha, graphite, cedar and hot bricks. Plush on entry, then sweet but firm in the middle, with a solid mineral spine giving shape to the fine-grained dark berry and cedar flavors. This wonderfully glossy wine boasts excellent structure on the subtly long back end, with its ripe cabernet sauvignon component much more apparent today than its merlot.
WS 93 (3/2012): Very rich, but sleek and pure, with beautiful mouthfeel and layers of enticing fig, steeped blackberry and warm currant confiture nicely stitched with black tea and mesquite. The long finish has a tarry underlay, but stays polished. Approachable for its mouthfeel, but has the balance to age nicely. Drink now through 2025. 12,000 cases made. |
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| Le Clarence de Haut Brion |
2009 |
Pessac Leognan (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,069.97 |
2 |
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JS 95 (2/2012): This is very, very Haut-Brion. Perhaps this second wine is like the gran vin in 1995? Full body, with rich ripe tannins, with a silky texture. It is dense and powerful. Long and rich. Better in 2016. Best second wine of Haut-Brion ever? It has just about everything Haut-Brion has in an excellent year like this. Try in 2019.
WA 92 (2/2012): The second wine, the 2009 Le Clarence de Haut-Brion, is almost as large a cuvee as the grand vin. This 7,000-case cuvee is a blend of 46% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest small quantities of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Once again the burning ember/scorched earth characteristic that often comes from Haut-Brion is found in the second wine, along with more kirsch and cassis, fewer nuances and less complexity than its bigger sibling. The wine is full-bodied with the minerality offered by this terroir as well as plenty of sweet tannins. This is the finest second wine Haut-Brion has produced since the astonishing 1989 Bahans-Haut-Brion. Enjoy it over the next two decades.
WS 92 (3/2012): This delivers the textbook profile of the appellation and vintage, with dense but mouthwatering tar, cassis, blackberry, bay leaf and dark cocoa notes all melded together and driving through the grippy finish. Approachable, but better with some time. Best from 2013 through 2023. 6,665 cases made.
NM 90 (7/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Clarence de Haut Brion ‘09 has a much more timid bouquet with light blackberry and briary fruit, touches of sous-bois and liquorice developing with aeration. The palate is full-bodied with a firm grip. Bold and brassy but still very well balanced with a fresh inviting finish. This is showing better than 12 months ago. Tasted January 2013.
VM 89+ (7/2012): Dark ruby-red. Blackcurrant, cedar and minerals on the forward nose. Fresh, sweet and smooth on entry, then slightly austere in the middle, with rich black fruit and herb flavors joined by an emerging hint of underbrush. The finish is chewy and moderately persistent. Though Le Clarence has lately been a rather austere wine when young, I'm not sure I like it this time around as much as I did at the Primeurs. I suspect this is in a very closed phase. As the fruit is pure and clean, I am willing to bet it will come around. |
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| Ch. Clerc Milon |
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,459.99 |
1 |
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JS 95 (2/2012): What an amazing nose of lead pencil shavings and dark fruits. Stunning. Full bodied, with super silky tannins and an amazing depth of fruit. Polished and refined. Gorgeous. 50% Cabernet Sauivgnon, 44% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmaere. Best after 2017.
WS 93 (3/2012): Juicy and nicely framed with a singed bay leaf note, which allows the medium-weight core of crushed plum and mulled fig to glide along nicely through the velvety finish. This fleshes out considerably as it sits in the glass, showing more layers of dark fruit and lingering minerality. This has some power in reserve, but lovely balance as well. Best from 2013 through 2024.
NM 93 (4/2013): A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carmenere and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Clerc Milon has an extraordinarily concentrated bouquet with layers of ripe black fruit, glycerine, anis and kirsch that soars from the glass. The palate is full-bodied with very ripe black fruit laced with tar and liquorice. It has good acidity as one would expect from Clerc Milon with great weight and persistency. It is a “monster” wine...although it does not have the same class as the following millesime. Drink 2016-2030.
WA 92 (2/2012): This fat, fleshy, dense purple-colored 2009 exhibits abundant notes of creme de cassis, roasted espresso, chocolate, berry fruit and underling hints of high quality, unsmoked cigar tobacco. Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and a touch of Carmenere, it reveals plenty of structure and tannin, but the evolved aromatics offer a deceptive view that the wine will be drinkable early on. I do not think this is the case as the tannins kick in once it hits the palate. This seriously endowed, powerful, boisterous, muscular Pauillac should hit its prime between 2017 and 2035.
VM 91+ (7/2012): Bright red-ruby. Brooding aromas and flavors of cassis, licorice, minerals and earthy dark tobacco. Juicy, spicy and tightly wound; dense and powerful but with the elegance of the year. Seriously concentrated wine with enticing sweetness currently overshadowed by a serious spine of dusty tannins. This deep, long Pauillac calls for at least six to eight years of cellaring. |
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| Ch. Clinet |
2009 |
Pomerol (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,356.99 |
1 |
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WA 100 (2/2012): Clinet has been on a hot streak lately and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc (12%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), this big Pomerol boasts an opaque, moonless night inky/blue/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of blueberry pie, incense, truffles, black raspberries, licorice and wood smoke. Viscous and multi-dimensional with silky, sweet tannin, massive fruit concentration and full-bodied power, there are nearly 4,000 cases of this thick, juicy, perfect Clinet. It should drink well in 3-5 years and keep for 25-30.
JS 96 (2/2012): Aromas of dark fruits, hazelnut and dark chocolate, follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins that are polished and refined. Beautiful depth of fruit to this. Best in 2018.
WS 94 (3/2012): Very lush and exotic, boasting plum sauce, crushed fig, warm raspberry confiture and steeped black currant fruit all dripping over a racy but buried graphite spine. The long, dark finish has plenty of stuffing for the long haul. Really beautifully rendered. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2034. 3,750 cases made.
VM 93 (7/2012): Deep medium ruby. Blackberry, blueberry and licorice on the nose, lifted by a violet topnote. At once hefty and penetrating, with lovely depth and breadth to the black fruit flavors. A bit youthfully medicinal today and not yet particularly complex but shows the sweetness of the vintage in spades. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and excellent length. |
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|
2009 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,552.99 |
2 |
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WA 100 (2/2012): Clinet has been on a hot streak lately and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc (12%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), this big Pomerol boasts an opaque, moonless night inky/blue/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of blueberry pie, incense, truffles, black raspberries, licorice and wood smoke. Viscous and multi-dimensional with silky, sweet tannin, massive fruit concentration and full-bodied power, there are nearly 4,000 cases of this thick, juicy, perfect Clinet. It should drink well in 3-5 years and keep for 25-30.
JS 96 (2/2012): Aromas of dark fruits, hazelnut and dark chocolate, follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins that are polished and refined. Beautiful depth of fruit to this. Best in 2018.
WS 94 (3/2012): Very lush and exotic, boasting plum sauce, crushed fig, warm raspberry confiture and steeped black currant fruit all dripping over a racy but buried graphite spine. The long, dark finish has plenty of stuffing for the long haul. Really beautifully rendered. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2015 through 2034. 3,750 cases made.
VM 93 (7/2012): Deep medium ruby. Blackberry, blueberry and licorice on the nose, lifted by a violet topnote. At once hefty and penetrating, with lovely depth and breadth to the black fruit flavors. A bit youthfully medicinal today and not yet particularly complex but shows the sweetness of the vintage in spades. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and excellent length. |
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| Ch. Conseillante |
2009 |
Pomerol (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,648.97 |
1 |
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| |
JS 98 (11/2011): Aromas of blueberry, minerals, flowers, and hints of brewed coffee. Sweet tobacco. Full bodied, with an amazing palate of intense dark fruits that verge on kir, but then a racy background of super fine tannins. Superb. Try after 2022.
WA 96 (2/2012): The competition between the 2009, 2005 and 2000 La Conseillante will be interesting to follow over the next twenty years. There was more of a selection process at this estate in 2009 than there was in 2000, resulting in a beautiful Pomerol offering notes of mulberries, sweet cherries, spring flowers, raspberries and truffles. The color is a healthy deep plum/ruby/purple and the wine is medium to full-bodied with silky tannins, a broad, layered mouthfeel and wonderful freshness as well as length. This gorgeous, complex, Burgundian-styled Pomerol will be drinkable in 4-6 years and should keep for 30-40. (The 1970 is still alive and that was not nearly as well made as the 2009.)
WS 96 (3/2012): This delivers stunning toasted spice, mocha and black tea aromas, while the core of plum, blackberry and fig flavors is still rather reticent. The long finish is liberally laced with a racy graphite note, while the perfumy accent pervades. This will be a suave head-turner when it rounds into form. Best from 2018 through 2030. 4,000 cases made.
NM 95+ (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The La Conseillante ‘09 has a very seductive bouquet with lifted kirsch, mulberry and light honeyed tones – all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a sensual but insistent entry. There are layers of ripe dark cherry, spicebox, black pepper and Provencal herbs with great weight and persistency on the finish. Superb.
VM 94 (7/2012): Bright ruby-red. Knockout perfume of red berries, dark cherry, minerals, flowers, licorice, tobacco and tarragon, complemented by sexy sweet oak. Suave, glossy and silky, but given energy and lift by its cabernet franc component. Captivating vanilla, coconut and spice notes add complexity and lift to the vibrant fruit flavors. No excessive sweetness here. Still a baby but already boasts lovely early balance. Wonderfully smooth Pomerol with terrific finishing lift. |
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2009 |
Pomerol (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,849.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 98 (11/2011): Aromas of blueberry, minerals, flowers, and hints of brewed coffee. Sweet tobacco. Full bodied, with an amazing palate of intense dark fruits that verge on kir, but then a racy background of super fine tannins. Superb. Try after 2022.
WA 96 (2/2012): The competition between the 2009, 2005 and 2000 La Conseillante will be interesting to follow over the next twenty years. There was more of a selection process at this estate in 2009 than there was in 2000, resulting in a beautiful Pomerol offering notes of mulberries, sweet cherries, spring flowers, raspberries and truffles. The color is a healthy deep plum/ruby/purple and the wine is medium to full-bodied with silky tannins, a broad, layered mouthfeel and wonderful freshness as well as length. This gorgeous, complex, Burgundian-styled Pomerol will be drinkable in 4-6 years and should keep for 30-40. (The 1970 is still alive and that was not nearly as well made as the 2009.)
WS 96 (3/2012): This delivers stunning toasted spice, mocha and black tea aromas, while the core of plum, blackberry and fig flavors is still rather reticent. The long finish is liberally laced with a racy graphite note, while the perfumy accent pervades. This will be a suave head-turner when it rounds into form. Best from 2018 through 2030. 4,000 cases made.
NM 95+ (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The La Conseillante ‘09 has a very seductive bouquet with lifted kirsch, mulberry and light honeyed tones – all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a sensual but insistent entry. There are layers of ripe dark cherry, spicebox, black pepper and Provencal herbs with great weight and persistency on the finish. Superb.
VM 94 (7/2012): Bright ruby-red. Knockout perfume of red berries, dark cherry, minerals, flowers, licorice, tobacco and tarragon, complemented by sexy sweet oak. Suave, glossy and silky, but given energy and lift by its cabernet franc component. Captivating vanilla, coconut and spice notes add complexity and lift to the vibrant fruit flavors. No excessive sweetness here. Still a baby but already boasts lovely early balance. Wonderfully smooth Pomerol with terrific finishing lift. |
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| Ch. Cos d'Estournel |
2009 |
St. Estephe (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,990.97 |
1 |
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| |
JD 100 (11/2020): Another magical wine from this property, the 2009 Château Cos D'Estournel reminds me slightly of the 2005 with its incredibly rich, powerful, opulent style married to stunning finesse and elegance. Still youthful yet with a touch of maturity, its deep ruby/plum color is followed by classic Saint-Estèphe notes of blackcurrants, dried tobacco, loamy earth, Asian spices, and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, and massive on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced and has building tannins hiding under its wealth of fruit, with no hard edges and a great, great finish. This tour de force is still 5-7 years away from maturity and is a legendary wine to follow over the coming 40-50 years.
WA 100 (3/2019): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cos d'Estournel features a myriad of wonderfully intense notes, including blackcurrant pastilles, redcurrant jelly, kirsch and blueberry compote with hints of rose hip tea, sauteed herbs, underbrush, pencil shavings and Indian spices. Full-bodied, rich and opulently fruited in the mouth, it has beautifully plush tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and very spicy.
JS 98 (3/2019): A very bold, ripe and complex wine with excellent concentration and a warm, engaging personality (cinnamon and allspice) that's hard to resist. With aeration a hint of dried fruit character emerges. Massive, yet polished finish. It’s been rated 100 in the past. We will see. Drink or hold.
WS 97 (7/2016): This shows why everyone loves the vintage. Features a gorgeous display of perfectly melded plum, red currant and blackberry fruit that flows beautifully over very creamy tannins. Still nearly all fruit, with flecks of warm stone and iron on the finish. This could easily sit in this phase for some time, but will be hard to resist. Totally modern and beautifully done.—Non-blind Cos-d'Estournel vertical (December 2015). Best from 2020 through 2040. 20,830 cases made. |
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|
2009 |
St. Estephe (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,456.98 |
2 |
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| |
JD 100 (11/2020): Another magical wine from this property, the 2009 Château Cos D'Estournel reminds me slightly of the 2005 with its incredibly rich, powerful, opulent style married to stunning finesse and elegance. Still youthful yet with a touch of maturity, its deep ruby/plum color is followed by classic Saint-Estèphe notes of blackcurrants, dried tobacco, loamy earth, Asian spices, and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, and massive on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced and has building tannins hiding under its wealth of fruit, with no hard edges and a great, great finish. This tour de force is still 5-7 years away from maturity and is a legendary wine to follow over the coming 40-50 years.
WA 100 (3/2019): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cos d'Estournel features a myriad of wonderfully intense notes, including blackcurrant pastilles, redcurrant jelly, kirsch and blueberry compote with hints of rose hip tea, sauteed herbs, underbrush, pencil shavings and Indian spices. Full-bodied, rich and opulently fruited in the mouth, it has beautifully plush tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and very spicy.
JS 98 (3/2019): A very bold, ripe and complex wine with excellent concentration and a warm, engaging personality (cinnamon and allspice) that's hard to resist. With aeration a hint of dried fruit character emerges. Massive, yet polished finish. It’s been rated 100 in the past. We will see. Drink or hold.
WS 97 (7/2016): This shows why everyone loves the vintage. Features a gorgeous display of perfectly melded plum, red currant and blackberry fruit that flows beautifully over very creamy tannins. Still nearly all fruit, with flecks of warm stone and iron on the finish. This could easily sit in this phase for some time, but will be hard to resist. Totally modern and beautifully done.—Non-blind Cos-d'Estournel vertical (December 2015). Best from 2020 through 2040. 20,830 cases made. |
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2009 |
St. Estephe (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,799.97 |
1 |
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JD 100 (11/2020): Another magical wine from this property, the 2009 Château Cos D'Estournel reminds me slightly of the 2005 with its incredibly rich, powerful, opulent style married to stunning finesse and elegance. Still youthful yet with a touch of maturity, its deep ruby/plum color is followed by classic Saint-Estèphe notes of blackcurrants, dried tobacco, loamy earth, Asian spices, and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, and massive on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced and has building tannins hiding under its wealth of fruit, with no hard edges and a great, great finish. This tour de force is still 5-7 years away from maturity and is a legendary wine to follow over the coming 40-50 years.
WA 100 (3/2019): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cos d'Estournel features a myriad of wonderfully intense notes, including blackcurrant pastilles, redcurrant jelly, kirsch and blueberry compote with hints of rose hip tea, sauteed herbs, underbrush, pencil shavings and Indian spices. Full-bodied, rich and opulently fruited in the mouth, it has beautifully plush tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and very spicy.
JS 98 (3/2019): A very bold, ripe and complex wine with excellent concentration and a warm, engaging personality (cinnamon and allspice) that's hard to resist. With aeration a hint of dried fruit character emerges. Massive, yet polished finish. It’s been rated 100 in the past. We will see. Drink or hold.
WS 97 (7/2016): This shows why everyone loves the vintage. Features a gorgeous display of perfectly melded plum, red currant and blackberry fruit that flows beautifully over very creamy tannins. Still nearly all fruit, with flecks of warm stone and iron on the finish. This could easily sit in this phase for some time, but will be hard to resist. Totally modern and beautifully done.—Non-blind Cos-d'Estournel vertical (December 2015). Best from 2020 through 2040. 20,830 cases made. |
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| Ch. Dauzac |
2009 |
Margaux (375 ML) |
$45 |
16 |
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WA 92 (2/2012): Has Dauzac ever made a wine this good? Deep ruby/purple, with notes of graphite and black currants followed by some spicy oak and licorice in a creamy, plump succulent texture that almost reminds me of a Right Bank wine, this 2009 is full-throttle, dense and super-concentrated. It is an amazing Dauzac. Drink it over the next 25 years.
WS 91 (3/2012): Perfumy and sleek, with nicely stitched anise, violet, juniper, blackberry and cassis notes all gliding through the polished finish. A lingering iron twang adds a little length. Drink now through 2019. 8,300 cases made.
VM 89 (7/2012): Deep ruby-red. Musky aromas of black raspberry and leather reminded me a bit of syrah. Deep, rich and energetic, in a rather extractive style, with sweet black fruit flavors joined by chewy, slightly drying (oak-driven) tannins on the back end. This fairly large-scaled Margaux should provide early pleasure. Stephen Tanzer.
NM 88 (7/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. This has a fragrant bouquet with dark plum and mulberry on the nose that demonstrates good vigour and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. It is soft in the mouth and need more backbone, whilst the earthy finish is a little smudged. I must confess ... I was expecting more from a wine that showed so much potential out of barrel, but perhaps is it enduring a difficult phase. |
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|
2009 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$921.97 |
1 |
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WA 92 (2/2012): Has Dauzac ever made a wine this good? Deep ruby/purple, with notes of graphite and black currants followed by some spicy oak and licorice in a creamy, plump succulent texture that almost reminds me of a Right Bank wine, this 2009 is full-throttle, dense and super-concentrated. It is an amazing Dauzac. Drink it over the next 25 years.
WS 91 (3/2012): Perfumy and sleek, with nicely stitched anise, violet, juniper, blackberry and cassis notes all gliding through the polished finish. A lingering iron twang adds a little length. Drink now through 2019. 8,300 cases made.
VM 89 (7/2012): Deep ruby-red. Musky aromas of black raspberry and leather reminded me a bit of syrah. Deep, rich and energetic, in a rather extractive style, with sweet black fruit flavors joined by chewy, slightly drying (oak-driven) tannins on the back end. This fairly large-scaled Margaux should provide early pleasure. Stephen Tanzer.
NM 88 (7/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. This has a fragrant bouquet with dark plum and mulberry on the nose that demonstrates good vigour and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. It is soft in the mouth and need more backbone, whilst the earthy finish is a little smudged. I must confess ... I was expecting more from a wine that showed so much potential out of barrel, but perhaps is it enduring a difficult phase. |
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| Ch. La Dominique |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,466.97 |
2 |
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JS 95 (7/2012): This is amazing with loads of milk chocolate and orange peel. Full and super velvety. Goes on for minutes. So gorgeous and sexy. Hard not to drink now but better in 2018.
WA 93 (2/2012): Finally we have returned to the great La Dominiques made in 1989 and 1990. This has much of the style of the 1990, with supple tannin and loads of spicy fruitcake, licorice, cassis and kirsch-like notes that jump from this dense ruby/purple wine. Fat, fleshy and full-bodied, with beautiful richness, purity and length, this wine will be approachable in its youth yet last for two decades (just like the 1989 and 1990).
WS 93 (3/2012): This sports a dark, roasted feel, as espresso and charcoal notes flank the core of tobacco and dark fig flavors. Has a burly edge now, but shows ample flesh through the finish. Should settle down in the cellar. Lots here. Best from 2014 through 2027. 8,330 cases made.
VM 92 (7/2012): Bright medium ruby. Smoky, sexy aromas of roasted blackberry, kirsch and toffee; I might have picked this blind as a Pomerol. Rich, concentrated, dense and sweet but not heavy, with chewy flavors of black raspberry, blackberry and roast coffee. The broad finish features sweet, building tannins and excellent length. There's an almost exotic quality to the blackberry fruit and yet the wine also maintains a primary character. The best La Dominique in many years.
NM 86 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. This is a disappointing showing from La Dominique. It has a fragrant bouquet with wild strawberry, black plum, minerals and dried flowers. Very fine definition, very natural. The palate is medium-bodied with a grippy entry. A little metallic perhaps, nice citrus thread but it needs more cohesion on the heavy-handed finish. |
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| Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou |
2009 |
St. Julien (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$755.99 |
12 |
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| |
JD 100 (10/2023): Starting a duo of magical vintages, the 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of those wines that always seems to deliver the goods. A normal blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that hit 13.5% natural alcohol, it has a soaring bouquet of sweet blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, minty herbs, graphite, and assorted spicy nuances. It's full-bodied, broad, expansive, and flawlessly balanced, and has still present yet sweet, fine-grained tannins. It's in a much sexier, more showy style compared to the 2010, but I suspect it will nevertheless be just about as long-lived. This is pure perfection in wine. (Drink between 2023-2098).
WA 98 (8/2020): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou bursts from the glass with bombastic crème de cassis, black cherry compote and preserved plums notes followed by hints of menthol, hoisin, dusty soil and incense plus fragrant wafts of candied violets and baker’s chocolate. Full bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, the palate offers a beautifully plush texture and bags of freshness, finishing long and layered. An absolute powerhouse!
VM 97 (7/2022): The 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a fantastic wine. Here it bursts from the glass, perhaps less Pauillac-like than previous bottles, beautifully defined with a smorgasbord of red and black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco. There is no hedonism here, just wonderful intensity and focus. The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity, very poise yet powerful with a multi-layered finish that just lacquers the mouth. It probably needs another 5-6 years in bottle, but what a wine. Stunning. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Drink between 2025-2065). Neal Martin.
JS 96 (2/2012): The purity of fruit is wonderful in this, with plums, currants and hints of fresh mushrooms. Hints of cloves too. Full-bodied, with chewy, creamy tannins and a bright fresh finish. Super energy and intensity. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Better in 2018.
WS 96 (3/2013): Features plenty of flash and sizzle, with gorgeous, inviting mocha, espresso and chocolate notes up front, backed by a dense core of plum sauce, cassis, blackberry puree and blueberry reduction accents. Long, showing terrific polish, with a lovely lingering loam note and a buried singed apple wood edge that keeps everything driving through the finish. Best from 2016 through 2035.
NM 95 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Ducru Beaucaillou ‘09 has a classy, sophisticated bouquet with blackberry, dark plum, and a hint of cassis and oyster shell. It displays fine delineation and composure. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe entry. There is very good weight and structure here, a sense of symmetry and grace that is very appealing. This is one of Bruno Borie’s finest wines ...although I think the 2010 might turn out even better. |
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|
2009 |
St. Julien (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,434.99 |
2 |
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JD 100 (10/2023): Starting a duo of magical vintages, the 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of those wines that always seems to deliver the goods. A normal blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that hit 13.5% natural alcohol, it has a soaring bouquet of sweet blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, minty herbs, graphite, and assorted spicy nuances. It's full-bodied, broad, expansive, and flawlessly balanced, and has still present yet sweet, fine-grained tannins. It's in a much sexier, more showy style compared to the 2010, but I suspect it will nevertheless be just about as long-lived. This is pure perfection in wine. (Drink between 2023-2098).
WA 98 (8/2020): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou bursts from the glass with bombastic crème de cassis, black cherry compote and preserved plums notes followed by hints of menthol, hoisin, dusty soil and incense plus fragrant wafts of candied violets and baker’s chocolate. Full bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, the palate offers a beautifully plush texture and bags of freshness, finishing long and layered. An absolute powerhouse!
VM 97 (7/2022): The 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a fantastic wine. Here it bursts from the glass, perhaps less Pauillac-like than previous bottles, beautifully defined with a smorgasbord of red and black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco. There is no hedonism here, just wonderful intensity and focus. The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity, very poise yet powerful with a multi-layered finish that just lacquers the mouth. It probably needs another 5-6 years in bottle, but what a wine. Stunning. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Drink between 2025-2065). Neal Martin.
JS 96 (2/2012): The purity of fruit is wonderful in this, with plums, currants and hints of fresh mushrooms. Hints of cloves too. Full-bodied, with chewy, creamy tannins and a bright fresh finish. Super energy and intensity. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Better in 2018.
WS 96 (3/2013): Features plenty of flash and sizzle, with gorgeous, inviting mocha, espresso and chocolate notes up front, backed by a dense core of plum sauce, cassis, blackberry puree and blueberry reduction accents. Long, showing terrific polish, with a lovely lingering loam note and a buried singed apple wood edge that keeps everything driving through the finish. Best from 2016 through 2035.
NM 95 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Ducru Beaucaillou ‘09 has a classy, sophisticated bouquet with blackberry, dark plum, and a hint of cassis and oyster shell. It displays fine delineation and composure. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe entry. There is very good weight and structure here, a sense of symmetry and grace that is very appealing. This is one of Bruno Borie’s finest wines ...although I think the 2010 might turn out even better. |
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|
2009 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,763.97 |
1 |
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| |
JD 100 (10/2023): Starting a duo of magical vintages, the 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of those wines that always seems to deliver the goods. A normal blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that hit 13.5% natural alcohol, it has a soaring bouquet of sweet blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, minty herbs, graphite, and assorted spicy nuances. It's full-bodied, broad, expansive, and flawlessly balanced, and has still present yet sweet, fine-grained tannins. It's in a much sexier, more showy style compared to the 2010, but I suspect it will nevertheless be just about as long-lived. This is pure perfection in wine. (Drink between 2023-2098).
WA 98 (8/2020): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou bursts from the glass with bombastic crème de cassis, black cherry compote and preserved plums notes followed by hints of menthol, hoisin, dusty soil and incense plus fragrant wafts of candied violets and baker’s chocolate. Full bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, the palate offers a beautifully plush texture and bags of freshness, finishing long and layered. An absolute powerhouse!
VM 97 (7/2022): The 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a fantastic wine. Here it bursts from the glass, perhaps less Pauillac-like than previous bottles, beautifully defined with a smorgasbord of red and black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco. There is no hedonism here, just wonderful intensity and focus. The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity, very poise yet powerful with a multi-layered finish that just lacquers the mouth. It probably needs another 5-6 years in bottle, but what a wine. Stunning. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Drink between 2025-2065). Neal Martin.
JS 96 (2/2012): The purity of fruit is wonderful in this, with plums, currants and hints of fresh mushrooms. Hints of cloves too. Full-bodied, with chewy, creamy tannins and a bright fresh finish. Super energy and intensity. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Better in 2018.
WS 96 (3/2013): Features plenty of flash and sizzle, with gorgeous, inviting mocha, espresso and chocolate notes up front, backed by a dense core of plum sauce, cassis, blackberry puree and blueberry reduction accents. Long, showing terrific polish, with a lovely lingering loam note and a buried singed apple wood edge that keeps everything driving through the finish. Best from 2016 through 2035.
NM 95 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Ducru Beaucaillou ‘09 has a classy, sophisticated bouquet with blackberry, dark plum, and a hint of cassis and oyster shell. It displays fine delineation and composure. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe entry. There is very good weight and structure here, a sense of symmetry and grace that is very appealing. This is one of Bruno Borie’s finest wines ...although I think the 2010 might turn out even better. |
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2009 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,953.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 100 (10/2023): Starting a duo of magical vintages, the 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of those wines that always seems to deliver the goods. A normal blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that hit 13.5% natural alcohol, it has a soaring bouquet of sweet blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, minty herbs, graphite, and assorted spicy nuances. It's full-bodied, broad, expansive, and flawlessly balanced, and has still present yet sweet, fine-grained tannins. It's in a much sexier, more showy style compared to the 2010, but I suspect it will nevertheless be just about as long-lived. This is pure perfection in wine. (Drink between 2023-2098).
WA 98 (8/2020): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou bursts from the glass with bombastic crème de cassis, black cherry compote and preserved plums notes followed by hints of menthol, hoisin, dusty soil and incense plus fragrant wafts of candied violets and baker’s chocolate. Full bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, the palate offers a beautifully plush texture and bags of freshness, finishing long and layered. An absolute powerhouse!
VM 97 (7/2022): The 2009 Ducru-Beaucaillou is a fantastic wine. Here it bursts from the glass, perhaps less Pauillac-like than previous bottles, beautifully defined with a smorgasbord of red and black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco. There is no hedonism here, just wonderful intensity and focus. The palate is fresh on the entry with a fine bead of acidity, very poise yet powerful with a multi-layered finish that just lacquers the mouth. It probably needs another 5-6 years in bottle, but what a wine. Stunning. Tasted at the Ducru Beaucaillou vertical at the château. (Drink between 2025-2065). Neal Martin.
JS 96 (2/2012): The purity of fruit is wonderful in this, with plums, currants and hints of fresh mushrooms. Hints of cloves too. Full-bodied, with chewy, creamy tannins and a bright fresh finish. Super energy and intensity. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. Better in 2018.
WS 96 (3/2013): Features plenty of flash and sizzle, with gorgeous, inviting mocha, espresso and chocolate notes up front, backed by a dense core of plum sauce, cassis, blackberry puree and blueberry reduction accents. Long, showing terrific polish, with a lovely lingering loam note and a buried singed apple wood edge that keeps everything driving through the finish. Best from 2016 through 2035.
NM 95 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Ducru Beaucaillou ‘09 has a classy, sophisticated bouquet with blackberry, dark plum, and a hint of cassis and oyster shell. It displays fine delineation and composure. The palate is medium-bodied with a ripe entry. There is very good weight and structure here, a sense of symmetry and grace that is very appealing. This is one of Bruno Borie’s finest wines ...although I think the 2010 might turn out even better. |
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| Ch. Duhart Milon |
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,499.97 |
1 |
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WA 97 (2/2012): A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, it displays an inky/blue/purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, forest floor, licorice, lead pencil, cedar and subtle barrique smells. Viscous and full-bodied, it is the most concentrated and broadest example of this cuvee I have tasted in over three decades. It will be ready to drink in 5-7 years and should last for three decades or more. Consumers looking to maximize value should be checking out Duhart Milon, as this may be the single smartest purchase in this great and historic vintage!
NM 96 (7/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. To the astonishment of our group of experienced palates, the Duhart-Milon '09 took on all-comers under blind conditions and triumphed. I always regarded it as a fantastic Pauillac but this good? I mean ... it received a higher average group score than almost every Grand Vin. It has a very intense bouquet with blackberry, mulberry, quince and a touch of dried flowers picked from down in Margaux. There is a slight meaty tincture suggesting some Cabernet Franc? The palate is medium-bodied but with superb fruit concentration. Again, there is a beguiling sense of precision and harmony that lends the finish weightlessness and poise. This is an effortless wine and a benchmark Duhart. Bravo! Tasted January 2013.
JS 95 (2/2012): This is superb, with so much beautiful subtle fruit and wonderful flowers. Full and very lively, with super fine tannins and a lively finish. Very exciting. Best ever from here. Try in 2018.
WS 92 (3/2012): This takes a fleshy, rather toasty approach, showing roasted plum and black currant fruit, with a smoked mesquite note on the loam-tinged finish. There's more breadth than depth, but this has the latent minerality to last a long time in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2027. |
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| Ch. Duluc de Branaire-Ducru |
2009 |
St. Julien (375 ML) |
$35 |
9 |
|
| |
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| Ch. L' Evangile |
2009 |
Pomerol (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$5,205.98 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (2/2012): An astonishing effort from the Rothschild family, the 2009 l’Evangile may be the reference point offering from this estate for decades to come. A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak, with 15% natural alcohol, it exhibits a sumptuous bouquet of caramels, black raspberry liqueur, blackberries, violets, graphite and truffles. Thick, viscous flavors are reminiscent of such super-ripe vintages as 1982, 1959, 1949 and 1947. The striking aromatics, massive, full-bodied mouthfeel and multilayered palate that resembles a skyscraper in the mouth offer an abject lesson in great winemaking, extraordinary terroir, and the ability to combine power with precision, elegance and freshness. This is unquestionably a huge wine, but it also possesses mindboggling complexity and finesse. Because of its sheer extract and velvety personality, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and will keep for four decades or more where well-stored. The most profound L’Evangile ever made?
JS 99 (2/2012): A wine that impresses you, with its subtlety and strength. Every molecule of the tannins and fruit seems to be almost perfectly in line. Enticing dark fruits and milk chocolate. The delicate, yet intense flavors go on for minutes. My palate is so caressed. Such class here. Might end up being better than the perfect 2005. Try after 2020.
WS 97 (3/2012): This takes a broader approach, with almost stolid tobacco and charcoal structure guarding the core of black currant, roasted fig and blackberry confiture flavors. Long and very fleshy, offering ample toast and searing singed iron notes, but terrific integration. Merlot in Cabernet clothing, with a long life ahead. Best from 2018 through 2035.
VM 94+ (7/2012): Deep inky-ruby. A fresh violet topnote lifts and complicates aromas of dark plum and cassis on the enticing nose. Quite pure in the mouth, with mineral-driven flavors of dark berries, creamy milk chocolate and smoky plum. Lively framing acidity extends the wine's flavors impressively through a long finish. This has lost some baby fat but picked up more gracefulness since I tried it in the spring of 2010. |
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|
2009 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,085.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (2/2012): An astonishing effort from the Rothschild family, the 2009 l’Evangile may be the reference point offering from this estate for decades to come. A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak, with 15% natural alcohol, it exhibits a sumptuous bouquet of caramels, black raspberry liqueur, blackberries, violets, graphite and truffles. Thick, viscous flavors are reminiscent of such super-ripe vintages as 1982, 1959, 1949 and 1947. The striking aromatics, massive, full-bodied mouthfeel and multilayered palate that resembles a skyscraper in the mouth offer an abject lesson in great winemaking, extraordinary terroir, and the ability to combine power with precision, elegance and freshness. This is unquestionably a huge wine, but it also possesses mindboggling complexity and finesse. Because of its sheer extract and velvety personality, it will be drinkable in 4-5 years, and will keep for four decades or more where well-stored. The most profound L’Evangile ever made?
JS 99 (2/2012): A wine that impresses you, with its subtlety and strength. Every molecule of the tannins and fruit seems to be almost perfectly in line. Enticing dark fruits and milk chocolate. The delicate, yet intense flavors go on for minutes. My palate is so caressed. Such class here. Might end up being better than the perfect 2005. Try after 2020.
WS 97 (3/2012): This takes a broader approach, with almost stolid tobacco and charcoal structure guarding the core of black currant, roasted fig and blackberry confiture flavors. Long and very fleshy, offering ample toast and searing singed iron notes, but terrific integration. Merlot in Cabernet clothing, with a long life ahead. Best from 2018 through 2035.
VM 94+ (7/2012): Deep inky-ruby. A fresh violet topnote lifts and complicates aromas of dark plum and cassis on the enticing nose. Quite pure in the mouth, with mineral-driven flavors of dark berries, creamy milk chocolate and smoky plum. Lively framing acidity extends the wine's flavors impressively through a long finish. This has lost some baby fat but picked up more gracefulness since I tried it in the spring of 2010. |
|
| Ch. La Fleur Petrus |
2009 |
Pomerol Ex-Negociant |
$335 |
6 |
|
| |
JS 99 (11/2011): This is very ripe with loads of sweet fruit with dark and milk chocolate, berries, but then turns to black olives. It’s full and compacted with fabulously fine tannins and a terrific finish. It’s subtle and very, very long. Perfection? Try after 2020.
WA 97 (2/2012): Even with considerable youthful characteristics, this stunning, open-knit 2009 is quite approachable. This fabled terroir sandwiched between Petrus and Lafleur (hence the name) generally produces one of the more elegantly-styled Pomerols, but in 2009 it offers an extra dimension of flavor intensity as well as more texture and concentration. It reveals a super-seductive perfume of mocha, loamy soil, herbs, black cherries and black currants, truffles and licorice, full body and velvety tannins. The overall impression is one of intensity, power, glycerin and richness as well as undeniable elegance and laser-like focus. This 2009 can be drunk now or cellared for another 25-30+ years.
WS 97 (3/2012): Densely packed and rather backward, displaying charcoal and apple wood notes in front of the core of dense roasted fig, macerated plum and steeped cherry fruit. The long finish is well-studded with toasted spice and tobacco hints. Terrific underlying grip for the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2030. 4,300 cases made.
NM 94 (7/2013): Comparing the 2009 with the 2010 La Fleur-Petrus, the 2009 has the more expansive bouquet with copious dark berries, both red and black, hints of wet sand, garrigues, perhaps a suggestion of white fennel emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied and it is certainly a more sensual Pomerol than the 2010. It is harmonious and focused, softer in the mouth, with an adorable spicy, black truffle tinged finish that is long in the mouth.
VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright red-ruby. Reticent nose hints at plum. Fat, sweet and voluminous, with mouthfilling plum and cherry fruit flavors complicated by smoke and underbrush. This seriously concentrated and firmly structured wine is most impressive today on the long, insinuating finish, which offers terrific focus for a 2009 Pomerol. |
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|
2009 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,969.98 |
10 |
|
| |
JS 99 (11/2011): This is very ripe with loads of sweet fruit with dark and milk chocolate, berries, but then turns to black olives. It’s full and compacted with fabulously fine tannins and a terrific finish. It’s subtle and very, very long. Perfection? Try after 2020.
WA 97 (2/2012): Even with considerable youthful characteristics, this stunning, open-knit 2009 is quite approachable. This fabled terroir sandwiched between Petrus and Lafleur (hence the name) generally produces one of the more elegantly-styled Pomerols, but in 2009 it offers an extra dimension of flavor intensity as well as more texture and concentration. It reveals a super-seductive perfume of mocha, loamy soil, herbs, black cherries and black currants, truffles and licorice, full body and velvety tannins. The overall impression is one of intensity, power, glycerin and richness as well as undeniable elegance and laser-like focus. This 2009 can be drunk now or cellared for another 25-30+ years.
WS 97 (3/2012): Densely packed and rather backward, displaying charcoal and apple wood notes in front of the core of dense roasted fig, macerated plum and steeped cherry fruit. The long finish is well-studded with toasted spice and tobacco hints. Terrific underlying grip for the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2030. 4,300 cases made.
NM 94 (7/2013): Comparing the 2009 with the 2010 La Fleur-Petrus, the 2009 has the more expansive bouquet with copious dark berries, both red and black, hints of wet sand, garrigues, perhaps a suggestion of white fennel emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied and it is certainly a more sensual Pomerol than the 2010. It is harmonious and focused, softer in the mouth, with an adorable spicy, black truffle tinged finish that is long in the mouth.
VM 93+ (7/2012): Bright red-ruby. Reticent nose hints at plum. Fat, sweet and voluminous, with mouthfilling plum and cherry fruit flavors complicated by smoke and underbrush. This seriously concentrated and firmly structured wine is most impressive today on the long, insinuating finish, which offers terrific focus for a 2009 Pomerol. |
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| Ch. Fombrauge |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$896.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 92 (2/2012): The 2009 Fombrauge has the potential to be the finest wine ever made at this property. Michel Rolland is the consulting oenologist in the vineyard, which sits in the southern sector of St.-Emilion known as St.-Christophe des Bardes. It was picked very late in 2009, and the result is a powerhouse wine with an inky blue/purple color and the smell of pen ink, acacia flowers, blueberries, black raspberries and cassis. The wine hit 15% natural alcohol, which gives it lots of glycerin as well as a full-bodied intensity, while the low yields of 27 hectoliters per hectare have provided a striking level of concentration and length. This is very serious wine from an estate that is on the upswing. It should benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring and keep for two decades.
NM 92 (7/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Initially, I was parsimonious with my score, but it actually improved dramatically in the glass. It is taciturn on the nose, at first broody and sullen and reluctantly offers briary and wild hedgerow. The palate is ripe and concentrated with firm structure and backbone. It is very well composed with superb definition and focus. This is a supremely well-made Saint Emilion with class and breeding. I probably scored this around 87 points at the beginning, so I would decant this and you should find yourself with a 91 or 92 point Saint Emilion.
WS 92 (12/2012): Dense and ripe, but sleek and tautly framed, with a nice iron edge to the plum sauce, blackberry preserves and tangy red currant fruit flavors. The long finish lets the minerality hang nicely, as the fruit fills in behind. There's lovely acidity here, too. Best from 2013 through 2023. 10,830 cases made. |
|
| Les Forts de Latour |
2009 |
Pauillac
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$224.97 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 95 (2/2012): Possibly the best second wine ever made at Latour (and I love how the 1982 is drinking at age 30), the 2009 Les Forts de Latour is composed of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot blended with a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, and finished at 13.5% alcohol. Juicy notes of creme de cassis, licorice, camphor, smoke and crushed rocks are followed by a rich, unctuously textured, thick, juicy, exceptionally pure, long wine. This beauty will be at its finest in several years and should keep for three decades.
JS 95 (2/2012): The aromas are so floral, with currants and blueberries as well. Succulent. Full and very balanced, with super velvety tannins and a long and lovely finish. Frederic Engerer, president of Latour, uses the word “succulent” to describe it. He’s right. I like the word gorgeous as well. Try in 2018, but hard not to drink.
NM 93 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Les Forts de Latour has a very fragrant, floral bouquet with lifted blackberry, raspberry cheesecake, vanilla and graphite on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with succulent ripe black fruit on the entry. It is fleshier than its peers, with very good weight and a smooth, rounded, velvety finish that is seeking a little more precision and tension.
WS 93 (3/2012): This has purity and precision, with mouthwatering blackberry, black currant and steeped plum fruit racing along, nicely laced with graphite and studded with enticing ganache and iron notes through the finish. Sleek, but the grip is there. Best from 2014 through 2028. 10,830 cases made.
VM 90+ (7/2012): Ruby-red. Pungently fragrant aromas of blackcurrant and cedar complicated by quinine and bay leaf. Rich, dense and suave, with rather brooding flavors of blackberry, plum liqueur, aromatic herbs and forest floor. This has shut down since the Primeurs and will need patience. Lacks only the generosity of the grand vin but should be Outstanding. And it's a remarkable second wine. |
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|
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,709.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (2/2012): Possibly the best second wine ever made at Latour (and I love how the 1982 is drinking at age 30), the 2009 Les Forts de Latour is composed of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot blended with a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, and finished at 13.5% alcohol. Juicy notes of creme de cassis, licorice, camphor, smoke and crushed rocks are followed by a rich, unctuously textured, thick, juicy, exceptionally pure, long wine. This beauty will be at its finest in several years and should keep for three decades.
JS 95 (2/2012): The aromas are so floral, with currants and blueberries as well. Succulent. Full and very balanced, with super velvety tannins and a long and lovely finish. Frederic Engerer, president of Latour, uses the word “succulent” to describe it. He’s right. I like the word gorgeous as well. Try in 2018, but hard not to drink.
NM 93 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Les Forts de Latour has a very fragrant, floral bouquet with lifted blackberry, raspberry cheesecake, vanilla and graphite on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with succulent ripe black fruit on the entry. It is fleshier than its peers, with very good weight and a smooth, rounded, velvety finish that is seeking a little more precision and tension.
WS 93 (3/2012): This has purity and precision, with mouthwatering blackberry, black currant and steeped plum fruit racing along, nicely laced with graphite and studded with enticing ganache and iron notes through the finish. Sleek, but the grip is there. Best from 2014 through 2028. 10,830 cases made.
VM 90+ (7/2012): Ruby-red. Pungently fragrant aromas of blackcurrant and cedar complicated by quinine and bay leaf. Rich, dense and suave, with rather brooding flavors of blackberry, plum liqueur, aromatic herbs and forest floor. This has shut down since the Primeurs and will need patience. Lacks only the generosity of the grand vin but should be Outstanding. And it's a remarkable second wine. |
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|
2009 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,387.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (2/2012): Possibly the best second wine ever made at Latour (and I love how the 1982 is drinking at age 30), the 2009 Les Forts de Latour is composed of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot blended with a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot, and finished at 13.5% alcohol. Juicy notes of creme de cassis, licorice, camphor, smoke and crushed rocks are followed by a rich, unctuously textured, thick, juicy, exceptionally pure, long wine. This beauty will be at its finest in several years and should keep for three decades.
JS 95 (2/2012): The aromas are so floral, with currants and blueberries as well. Succulent. Full and very balanced, with super velvety tannins and a long and lovely finish. Frederic Engerer, president of Latour, uses the word “succulent” to describe it. He’s right. I like the word gorgeous as well. Try in 2018, but hard not to drink.
NM 93 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Les Forts de Latour has a very fragrant, floral bouquet with lifted blackberry, raspberry cheesecake, vanilla and graphite on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with succulent ripe black fruit on the entry. It is fleshier than its peers, with very good weight and a smooth, rounded, velvety finish that is seeking a little more precision and tension.
WS 93 (3/2012): This has purity and precision, with mouthwatering blackberry, black currant and steeped plum fruit racing along, nicely laced with graphite and studded with enticing ganache and iron notes through the finish. Sleek, but the grip is there. Best from 2014 through 2028. 10,830 cases made.
VM 90+ (7/2012): Ruby-red. Pungently fragrant aromas of blackcurrant and cedar complicated by quinine and bay leaf. Rich, dense and suave, with rather brooding flavors of blackberry, plum liqueur, aromatic herbs and forest floor. This has shut down since the Primeurs and will need patience. Lacks only the generosity of the grand vin but should be Outstanding. And it's a remarkable second wine. |
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| Ch. La Gaffeliere |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,563.98 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95+ (12/2011): An absolutely spectacular effort, the 2009 is one of the all-time great La Gaffelieres produced. One would have to go back to the 2005, 1947 or 1961 to find this level of quality from this ancient, historic vineyard planted adjacent to the walls of St.-Emilion, on the Cote Pavie. Dating back to the 1400s, this estate has been owned for over three centuries by the Malet-Roquefort family. Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc (in the past it was two-thirds Merlot and the rest split between Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc), the 2009 reveals compelling elegance, tremendous intensity and opulence and more viscosity than one normally sees. Lots of kirsch, licorice, incense, truffle, asphalt, blackberry and cassis notes dominate the aromatics and flavors of this full-bodied, viscous, fabulously pure, flamboyant St.-Emilion. Drinking it now may be considered infanticide by some consumers, but it is already attractive, and should last for 3-4 decades.
VM 92 (7/2012): Bright ruby-red. Jammy, exotic aromas of black raspberry and smoke; wild and slightly high-toned in a syrah way. Dense, sweet and layered, with lovely saline complexity to the ripe black raspberry flavor. Finishes sweet, plush and very long, with smooth tannins and plenty of early sex appeal. Stephen Tanzer.
WS 91 (3/2012): Very fleshy, with lush, velvety-textured plum sauce, currant paste and melted licorice notes, woven with toasty spice and backed by a dark chocolate bark note on the finish. Best from 2014 through 2023. 4,165 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Le Gay |
2009 |
Pomerol (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$977.97 |
1 |
|
| |
NM 97 (6/2013): This is a monumental Le Gay, perhaps one of the finest ever produced at the estate and, similar to other vintages, it just seems to get better and better with each passing year. Here, it has an utterly seductive bouquet that remains very youthful with ripe dark cherries and boysenberry jam that explode from the glass. There is a floral note to this perfumed nose that gains intensity with aeration. The palate is very intense, quite backward and structured, supporting layers of pure ripe black and red succulent fruit that will need several years to soften. It is the sheer dimension of this wine that is so captivating. Stunning. Have you got your bottle yet?
WA 96+ (2/2012): Tiny yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare and a final blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc have produced an enormously concentrated, black/purple-colored wine exhibiting notes of roasted meats, smoked game, blackberries, coffee, incense and forest floor. This distinctive, large-scaled, viscous, thick Pomerol may be as concentrated as some of this estate’s all-time classics (1947 and 1950). I am puzzled by why I could not see this a few years ago. In any event, this is one of the most profound Le Gay’s ever produced. Forget it for at least a decade and drink it over the following half century.
WS 94 (3/2012): Very fresh and pure, this displays a lovely tobacco streak cutting through the enticing core of crushed plum, mulled raspberry and dark fig fruit. Long and racy on the finish, with singed cedar nicely embedded. Has opulence but stays focused. Best from 2013 through 2029. 1,500 cases made.
JS 94 (3/2012): Aromas of blackberries, with a milky chocolate and berry character. Full body, with soft and velvety tannins and a fruity finish. So delicious now, but better in a few years. A wine with balance and finesse. Best in 2015. |
|
| Ch. Gazin |
2009 |
Pomerol (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,806.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (2/2012): A big, powerful, masculine Pomerol with a style not dissimilar from Le Gay, the dense purple-colored 2009 Gazin exhibits black currant, black cherry liqueur, coffee, roasted herb, an exotic Asian spice component, vanillin, creme caramel and toasty oak in its aromatics and flavors. From a vineyard near Petrus, Le Gay and La Fleur Petrus, it is full-bodied with licorice, earth, truffle and creme de cassis in the mouth. Give this powerful, backward 2009 an additional 6-8 years of cellaring and drink it over the following three decades.
VM 95 (3/2019): The 2009 Gazin has a very concentrated, high-toned bouquet with Merlot firmly in the driving seat, a mixture of black and blue fruit. The palate is rounded on the entry with supple tannin, succulent and glossy in style with macerated black cherries and salted liquorice towards the finish. This needs another year or two in the glass. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Neal Martin.
JS 96 (2/2019): Very dark, spicy and mysterious, this is a concentrated and graceful Pomerol that shows what was possible in this vintage if everything was done right. The stunningly fine tannins drive the very long subtle finish. Drink or hold. |
|
| Ch. Gruaud Larose |
2009 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,434.98 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (2/2012): As I wrote in my barrel tasting note, the 2009 appears to be the finest Gruaud Larose since their 1990. Some of my concerns about too much brett in previous vintages are long gone as the purity of the 2009 jumps out. Copious notes of sagebrush, cedar, cigar box, licorice, incense, blackberries and lead pencil shavings suggest a big Pauillac rather than a St.-Julien. Broad, rich and full-bodied with good balance and abundant, but sweet, well-integrated tannin, this big, masculine Gruaud Larose reveals remarkable finesse, richness, extract, density and a cascade of fruit that nearly hides the lofty tannins. This beauty should be at its best between 2020-2045.
JS 95 (2/2012): I like the aromas of sliced mushroom, berries and wet earth, that follow through to a full body, with super silky tannins and a chewy finish. A fit, yet polished wine here. Try after 2020.
VM 94+ (7/2012): Dark ruby-red. Intense aromas of red cherry, cassis, aromatic herbs and cedar. Rich, dense and suave, with concentrated flavors of dark berries, cedar and quinine complicated by smoky and peppery nuances. Finishes very long and smooth, with a highly tactile quality to the cedar and cassis flavors. This Gruaud stands out for its purity, as it seems free of the earthy and gamey nuances that have been present in many past vintages. In fact, this impressive wine strikes me as the best young Gruaud-Larose in recent memory.
WS 92 (3/2012): This has good density, with fleshy blackberry and blueberry cobbler flavors laced with anise, sweet spice and smoldering maduro tobacco notes. Long and well-structured, with fresh, embedded acidity. Best from 2013 through 2023. 14,500 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Haut Bages Liberal |
2009 |
Pauillac |
$93.99 |
54 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2012): Pretty nose of blueberries, currants and blackberries, follows through to a full body, with ultra-refined tannins and polished, caressing texture. Very refined and long. Perhaps the best ever from here. Try after 2018.
WA 92 (2/2012): Probably the finest Haut-Bages Liberal since the 1982, this beautifully rich wine has an inky purple color, a big, sweet kiss of creme de cassis, incense, some background spicy oak and forest floor. Its gorgeous fruit, full-bodied opulence, impressive purity, expansive texture and broad, savory finish make for a terrific wine to drink over the next 25+ years.
WS 91 (3/2012): Singed bay leaf and briar notes run along the edges, with ripe, almost sappy blackberry, black cherry and currant fruit leading to a finish of tobacco and olive. Latent grip hangs through the finish. Drink now through 2020. 10,000 cases made.
NM 90 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Haut Bages Liberal '09 has an earthier, undergrowth-scented bouquet with dusky, broody black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, slightly abrasive tannins. Good weight in the mouth. This is a bit of a rough diamond but time should polish the edges.
VM 90 (7/2012): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, licorice, bitter chocolate and spicy oak. Sweet, rich and vinous, with harmonious acidity giving shape and grip to the fine-grained flavors of dark berries, cedar, smoke and leather. Good structure and energy here. This firmly built wine spreads out nicely on the lingering aftertaste. A big success for this property. |
|
| Ch. Haut Bailly |
2009 |
Pessac Leognan (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,296.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (4/2015): I have had this wine now four separate times since I wrote my official review after bottling of the 2009s. It goes from strength to strength, and it is not surprising that it is now one of the perfect wines of this great, great vintage – the finest vintage of Bordeaux that I have tasted in 37 years covering that epicenter for world-class quality in wine. Much of it is attributable to winemaker Veronique Sanders and her boss, Robert Wilmers. Their incredibly draconian selection process and their enormous investments in both the viticulture and the estate as well as the winemaking facility have paid off brilliantly over the last decade. The 2009, which has an opaque ruby/purple color, an extraordinary nose of high-quality unsmoked cigar tobacco, graphite, blackcurrants and spice, hits the palate with a medium to full-bodied, saturated and rich mouthfeel, but an elegant and ethereal quality that is difficult to articulate. It is rich, complex and tastes as if it were the vinous equivalent of a remarkable haute couture creation from the late Coco Chanel. It is full-bodied yet elegant, powerful yet delicate, and remarkably velvety-textured, sumptuous and loaded with upside potential. It can be approached now, as most 2009s tend to be, given their richness of fruit, low acidity and extraordinary concentration, but the great complexity that will emerge from this fabulous terroir is at least a decade away, and this wine is set for 50 or more years of longevity. Kudos to Haut-Bailly!
JS 95 (11/2011): Aromas of mineral and dark fruits follow through to a full body, with hints of chocolate and vanilla. Lots of wood right now, but firm and racy. Lovely fruit with a long finish. This is tight but showing wonderful balance. Try in 2016.
WS 94 (3/2012): Offers a rich, very dense feel, but stays racy thanks to a strong graphite frame around the core of roasted fig, plum sauce and maduro tobacco. Muscular but defined on the finish, with a long tarry edge in reserve. This shows serious depth and is more backward than most of its peers. Should really stretch out nicely in the cellar. Best from 2017 through 2035. 6,665 cases made.
VM 94 (7/2012): Medium ruby-red. Very ripe but subdued aromas of dark berries, black cherry, minerals, woodsmoke, mocha and smoky underbrush. Silky on entry, then utterly smooth and seamless in the middle, with Outstanding concentration and lift to the berry, tobacco and hot rock flavors. Finishes with utterly noble tannins and Outstanding, slowly building length and lingering perfume. This Outstanding Haut-Bailly saturates every square millimeter of the palate without leaving any undue impression of weight. I was reminded of the time I was served three classy old Pessac-Leognan wines blind. I guessed that I was tasting Haut-Brion, but the bottles turned out to be Haut-Bailly 1961, 1945 and 1928.
NM 93 (7/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Haut-Bailly ‘09 has a sweet iodine-scented bouquet with pure creme de cassis and violets that is more Margaux than Graves, hints of black olive emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition. There is a lot of extraction here, lending this a more modern personality, with plenty of sweet rounded dark cherry and boysenberry fruit on the lithe finish. |
|
| Ch. Haut Batailley |
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$896.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 90 (3/2012): A taut, sinewy style, with lots of roasted cedar, espresso and steeped black currant notes. Stays tangy through the finish, with an iron edge hanging on. There's enough purity and length to wait this out for a bit. Best from 2014 through 2024.
WA 89 (2/2012): As usual, the 2009 Haut-Batailley is a delicate, finesse-styled wine exhibiting a dense ruby/purple color as well as plenty of sweet black cherry, mulberry and wild mountain berry fruit intermixed with notes of foresty underbrush. Medium-bodied with good purity, sweet tannin and a forward, almost St.-Julien-like personality, it can be enjoyed over the next 15+ years. |
|
| Ch. d' Issan |
2009 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,409.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94 (3/2015): Wonderfully perfumed with dark berry, mineral and chocolate character. Full body, great tannins and a long and racy finish. Very refined. Tight and racy. Better in 2016.
WA 93 (2/2012): A strong effort from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse, d’Issan’s 2009 was fashioned from minuscule yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, and its 13.7% natural alcohol set a record at this estate. Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, it exhibits a classic Margaux fragrance of acacia flowers/violets, blueberries, cassis, licorice and camphor. Opulent and full-bodied with silky tannins as well as a rich, dense style, it will be interesting to compare the 2009 with the brilliant 2000 and 2005 over the next two to three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035+.
NM 91 (7/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The d'Issan '09 shows very fine precision on the nose, although it is not as multifaceted as other wines in the Margaux flight. There are scents of blackberry, black olive and a faint maritime influence, almost seaweed. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This is finely balanced with a touch of white pepper and a sweet, liquorice tinged finish. A classy performance.
WS 91 (3/2012): A taut but fresh style, with plum skin, mesquite and mineral notes running along. There's a solid core of steeped blackberry fruit in reserve, and the perfumy finish has latent grip. Best from 2013 through 2023. |
|
| Ch. Kirwan |
2009 |
Margaux (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$973.98 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2012): This is a wine that seduces you, with its crushed blackberries and hints of dark chocolate that follow through to a full body and ultra-fine tannins with a tangy, fresh finish. Solid as a rock. Best ever from here. Try in 2019.
WA 92+ (2/2012): A big, powerful Margaux that should age for 20+ years, this inky purple-colored wine exhibits notes of spring flowers intermixed with blackberries, raspberries and cassis. Some lead pencil shavings and toasty oak are also present in this powerful yet at the same time very pure, textured, full-throttle Kirwan. It needs about 5-7 years of cellaring and will be among the longest-lived wines of the vintage.
WS 92 (3/2012): Ripe and mouthfilling, but with fresh acidity harnessing the core nicely, keeping the dark plum, blackberry and sage notes wound up, while lilac, sandalwood and black tea fill in on the finish. Shows lovely mouthfeel. Drink now through 2024. 7,000 cases made.
NM 89+ (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Like other Margaux Grand Vins - the Kirwan is at a "problematic" stage at the moment. It has a wonderful bouquet with very fine fruit concentration: black plum, iodine and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It is fleshy in the mouth, perhaps lacking a little substance, but is clean and correct on the slightly reduced finish. I think once the reduction goes, it will be a much better Margaux wine.
VM 88 (7/2012): Bright red-ruby. Wild meaty nose lifted by a floral element. Sweet, fine-grained and fairly generous in the mouth, with plenty of baby fat to its dark fruit flavors. But ultimately a wine of moderate richness and concentration. The persistent but slightly dry-edged finish shows a sweet/sour quality. - |
|
| Ch. Lafite Rothschild |
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$9,393.98 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 100 (2/2012): The second you put your nose in the glass, you know that it is 100 points. The combination of sweet tobacco, fresh flowers, currants and sultanas on the nose leaves me breathless. Turns to cocoa powder and freshness. The palate re-enforces the show, with phenomenally polished tannins. Fabulous class. Could be a remake of the phenomenal 1959. Try in 2022.
WA 99+ (3/2012): The main reason the 2009 Lafite Rothschild did not receive a perfect score is because the wine has closed down slightly, but it is unquestionably another profound Lafite, their greatest wine since the amazing 2003. Among the most powerful Lafites ever made (it came in at 13.59% alcohol), the final blend was 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. The selection was incredibly severe with only 45% of the crop being utilized. A tight, but potentially gorgeous nose of graphite, black currants, licorice and camphor is followed by a full-bodied wine revealing the classic elegance, purity and delineated style of Lafite. It is phenomenally concentrated with softer tannins than the 2005, the 2003's voluptuous, broad, juicy personality, and low acidity. There are several vintages that I thought were a replay of their colossal 1959, most notably 1982 and 2003, but 2009 is also one to keep an eye on. It is still extremely youthful and seems slightly more backward than I would have guessed based on the barrel tastings, but it needs 10-15 years of bottle age, and should last for 50+.
WS 98 (3/2012): This is stunning for its ability to take massively endowed fig, currant paste and crushed plum fruit flavors and harness them with ultrasuave freshly roasted espresso, black tea and ganache notes. A seductive style, long and velvety, with the dense core of black fruit and smoldering iron just waiting and waiting. Best from 2020 through 2040.
VM 96+ (7/2012): (a blend of 82.5% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot, and 0.5% petit verdot; 13.8% alcohol; 75 IPT; a 43% selection of the total crop). Deep ruby-red. Classic Lafite aromas of cassis, cedar and graphite are lifted by a fragrant violet note. Then pure and vibrant on the palate, with seamless flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, iron and flint. The very smooth tannins provide plenty of support to the fruit flavors, while the wine's harmonious acidity really draws out the finish. This Outstanding Lafite is all about grace--in contrast to Latour's power. |
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|
2009 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,701.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 100 (2/2012): The second you put your nose in the glass, you know that it is 100 points. The combination of sweet tobacco, fresh flowers, currants and sultanas on the nose leaves me breathless. Turns to cocoa powder and freshness. The palate re-enforces the show, with phenomenally polished tannins. Fabulous class. Could be a remake of the phenomenal 1959. Try in 2022.
WA 99+ (3/2012): The main reason the 2009 Lafite Rothschild did not receive a perfect score is because the wine has closed down slightly, but it is unquestionably another profound Lafite, their greatest wine since the amazing 2003. Among the most powerful Lafites ever made (it came in at 13.59% alcohol), the final blend was 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. The selection was incredibly severe with only 45% of the crop being utilized. A tight, but potentially gorgeous nose of graphite, black currants, licorice and camphor is followed by a full-bodied wine revealing the classic elegance, purity and delineated style of Lafite. It is phenomenally concentrated with softer tannins than the 2005, the 2003's voluptuous, broad, juicy personality, and low acidity. There are several vintages that I thought were a replay of their colossal 1959, most notably 1982 and 2003, but 2009 is also one to keep an eye on. It is still extremely youthful and seems slightly more backward than I would have guessed based on the barrel tastings, but it needs 10-15 years of bottle age, and should last for 50+.
WS 98 (3/2012): This is stunning for its ability to take massively endowed fig, currant paste and crushed plum fruit flavors and harness them with ultrasuave freshly roasted espresso, black tea and ganache notes. A seductive style, long and velvety, with the dense core of black fruit and smoldering iron just waiting and waiting. Best from 2020 through 2040.
VM 96+ (7/2012): (a blend of 82.5% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot, and 0.5% petit verdot; 13.8% alcohol; 75 IPT; a 43% selection of the total crop). Deep ruby-red. Classic Lafite aromas of cassis, cedar and graphite are lifted by a fragrant violet note. Then pure and vibrant on the palate, with seamless flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, iron and flint. The very smooth tannins provide plenty of support to the fruit flavors, while the wine's harmonious acidity really draws out the finish. This Outstanding Lafite is all about grace--in contrast to Latour's power. |
|
| Ch. Lafleur |
2009 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$8,996.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 100 (2/2012): This is a crazy nose of tangerines and blueberries, with raspberries and mushroom and berries. Full-bodied, with ultra fine tannins. This wine is all about texture, with phenomenal tannins and subtle fruits that just make you think. Evocative. It is layered, yet changes all the time. I can't believe it really. Speechless. Amazes me. Try in 2020.
WA 99 (2/2012): An absolutely prodigious blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, the 2009 Lafleur displays the tell-tale characteristics of this great estate. Kirsch liqueur, licorice and floral notes are intermixed with raspberry in a very full-bodied, super-intense, opulent and multi-dimensional style. Extraordinarily dense and pure, but not heavy by any means, the intensity, texture, and richness of the 2009 Lafleur are reminiscent of the perfect 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.
NM 98 (6/2012): Tasted from an ex-chateau bottle at the Lafleur vertical dinner at Attersee in Austria. On this occasion it is difficult to separate the 2005 and 2009 Lafleur, although to reiterate my comments last year, they are very different and paradigms of the vintage. The bouquet has a ravishing, floral bouquet of violets and rose petals that explode from the glass. The palate is voluptuous, spherical and extraordinarily pure. It is far more generous and giving than the 2005 with raspberry and wild strawberry on the crescendo of a finish. The texture is to die for – pure satin. This wonderful should be cellared for at least a decade, although I suspect it will be approachable before the 2010.
VM 98 (7/2012): Bright full ruby. Drop-dead gorgeous nose combines superripe strawberry, raspberry jam, black cherry syrup, brown spices, Oriental herbs and exotic oak. Extremely densely packed and energetic but already offering a satin-like texture and great early appeal owing to its sexy sweetness of superripe fruit. There's an almost pinot-like silkiness of texture to its red fruit and exotic spice flavors. The finish is very graceful yet lush, offering uncommon depth, complexity and charm. As amazing as the 2009 and 2010 Petrus are, I think these two vintages from Lafleur are the best pair of clarets made by anyone in 2009 and 2010. Simply put, this is yet another truly unforgettable wine.
WS 95 (3/2012): This gushes with mouthwatering blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruit, leading to a long black tea- and incense-filled finish. Darkens up considerably as it airs, with layers of extra flesh, Kenya AA coffee and charcoal notes striding through the finish. Shows an exotic side, and gorgeous mouthfeel. Best from 2015 through 2030. 950 cases made. |
|
| Pensees de Lafleur |
2009 |
Pomerol (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,036.98 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Pomerol (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,150.98 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Langoa Barton |
2009 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,141.98 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 94 (3/2019): The 2009 Langoa-Barton has a gorgeous bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light tobacco aromas that blossom from the glass. This feels so composed and pure. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine-grain tannin, beautifully judged acidity and a svelte, languorous finish that fans out with style. What a gorgeous and utterly seductive Saint-Julien. It turns out to be Langoa Barton, a wine that I have rated very highly in the past. Neal Martin.
WS 93 (3/2012): Very dense and still rather reserved, with dark blueberry, blackberry and fig notes rolled together, framed by freshly brewed espresso and Black Forest cake notes. Long and tarry through the finish, with a melted licorice snap note hanging on at the very end. Best from 2014 through 2030. 10,000 cases made.
JS 93 (2/2019): A rich and fleshy wine, yet it remains decisively dry. Attractive blueberry aroma and impressive supple tannins make this very harmonious. If it was slightly brighter in the nose this would rate even higher. Drink now.
WA 91 (3/2019): The medium to deep garnet colored 2009 Langoa Barton is scented of warm red and black plums, dried mulberries and blackcurrant cordial with touches of dried mint and new leather. Medium to full-bodied with a solid frame of grainy tannins and bold freshness, it has loads of red and black berry preserves layers on the long, savory finish. |
|
| Ch. Larcis-Ducasse |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,563.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96 (2/2018): Showing better than a previous bottle, the 2009 Larcis Ducasse is just now starting to come into its own, offering terrific, full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, licorice, espresso, and leafy herbs. This deep, rich, full-bodied effort has absorbed its oak elevage beautifully, has a layered, unctuous texture, and plenty of sweet tannin. It’s a heavenly Saint Emilion to enjoy over the coming 15+ years.
VM 96 (3/2017): The 2009 Larcis Ducasse is an exotic, flamboyant wine endowed with remarkable depth and pure pedigree. Sweet tobacco, mint, pine and red-fleshed fruits are front and center. Even with all of its voluptuousness and richness, the 2009 is firm and quite tannic. Readers should be prepared to cellar it for at least a handful of years. Antonio Galloni.
WA 95 (3/2019): The deep garnet colored 2009 Larcis Ducasse sashays out of the glass with compelling scents of kirsch, dried roses, Black Forest cake and crème de cassis with hints of black tea, cigar box and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tautly structured with ripe, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
JS 94 (2/2019): Tons of ripe plum and damson here plus some bitter chocolate and balsamic richness that fill out the opulent body nicely. Generous supple tannins support the massive frame. Bold but long and harmonious finish. Drink or hold.
WS 93 (12/2012): This has the fleshy, almost corpulent feel of the vintage, with enticing linzer torte, currant preserves, blackberry coulis and melted licorice notes. Warm and inviting already, with a nice sappy feel at the core. The finish picks up a slightly extracted, chewy edge that lacks the vivacity of the '05 or '10. Although well-stuffed and worthy of cellaring, the minerality may have dissipated by the time this comes of age. |
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| Ch. Larrivet Haut Brion |
2009 |
Pessac-Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$806.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Latour |
2009 |
Pauillac (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$7,039.98 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 100 (2/2012): A breathtaking combination of dried flowers and minerals, with dark fruits such as currants and blackberries. Full-bodied, with fabulous fruit concentration, yet its compacted. Velvety tannins. So much fruit and beauty. It's the quality of the tannins that are magic. It is the famous 1959 all over again. Amazing. Try in 2022.
WA 100 (2/2012): A blend of 91.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.7% Merlot with just under 14% natural alcohol, the 2009 Latour is basically a clone of the super 2003, only more structured and potentially more massive and long lived. An elixir of momentous proportions, it boasts a dense purple color as well as an extraordinarily flamboyant bouquet of black fruits, graphite, crushed rocks, subtle oak and a notion of wet steel. It hits the palate with a thundering concoction of thick, juicy blue and black fruits, lead pencil shavings and a chalky minerality. Full-bodied, but very fresh with a finish that lasts over a minute, this is one of the most remarkable young wines I have ever tasted. Will it last one-hundred years? No doubt about it. Can it be drunk in a decade? For sure.
WS 99 (3/2012): This seems to come full circle, with a blazing iron note and mouthwatering acidity up front leading to intense, vibrant cassis, blackberry and cherry skin flavors that course along, followed by the same vivacious minerality that started things off. The tobacco, ganache and espresso notes seem almost superfluous right now, but they'll join the fray in due time. The question is, can you wait long enough? Best from 2020 through 2040. 9,580 cases made.
NM 97 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Latour '09 has a comparatively exotic bouquet with macerated small dark cherries, mango sorbet, and blackcurrant and vanilla pod. There is a floral component that lends it a Margaux like veneer. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grip on the entry. There is a pleasing saline edge, firm grip with a pleasing crescendo towards the opulent but controlled, delineated finish. Perhaps it is showier than its peers, but why not? And there is enormous grip and weight on the finish, making this an impressive Latour for long-term ageing.
VM 96+ (8/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Latour '09 has a comparatively exotic bouquet with macerated small dark cherries, mango sorbet, and blackcurrant and vanilla pod. There is a floral component that lends it a Margaux like veneer. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grip on the entry. There is a pleasing saline edge, firm grip with a pleasing crescendo towards the opulent but controlled, delineated finish. Perhaps it is showier than its peers, but why not? And there is enormous grip and weight on the finish, making this an impressive Latour for long-term ageing. |
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|
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$11,981.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 100 (2/2012): A breathtaking combination of dried flowers and minerals, with dark fruits such as currants and blackberries. Full-bodied, with fabulous fruit concentration, yet its compacted. Velvety tannins. So much fruit and beauty. It's the quality of the tannins that are magic. It is the famous 1959 all over again. Amazing. Try in 2022.
WA 100 (2/2012): A blend of 91.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.7% Merlot with just under 14% natural alcohol, the 2009 Latour is basically a clone of the super 2003, only more structured and potentially more massive and long lived. An elixir of momentous proportions, it boasts a dense purple color as well as an extraordinarily flamboyant bouquet of black fruits, graphite, crushed rocks, subtle oak and a notion of wet steel. It hits the palate with a thundering concoction of thick, juicy blue and black fruits, lead pencil shavings and a chalky minerality. Full-bodied, but very fresh with a finish that lasts over a minute, this is one of the most remarkable young wines I have ever tasted. Will it last one-hundred years? No doubt about it. Can it be drunk in a decade? For sure.
WS 99 (3/2012): This seems to come full circle, with a blazing iron note and mouthwatering acidity up front leading to intense, vibrant cassis, blackberry and cherry skin flavors that course along, followed by the same vivacious minerality that started things off. The tobacco, ganache and espresso notes seem almost superfluous right now, but they'll join the fray in due time. The question is, can you wait long enough? Best from 2020 through 2040. 9,580 cases made.
NM 97 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Latour '09 has a comparatively exotic bouquet with macerated small dark cherries, mango sorbet, and blackcurrant and vanilla pod. There is a floral component that lends it a Margaux like veneer. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grip on the entry. There is a pleasing saline edge, firm grip with a pleasing crescendo towards the opulent but controlled, delineated finish. Perhaps it is showier than its peers, but why not? And there is enormous grip and weight on the finish, making this an impressive Latour for long-term ageing.
VM 96+ (8/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Latour '09 has a comparatively exotic bouquet with macerated small dark cherries, mango sorbet, and blackcurrant and vanilla pod. There is a floral component that lends it a Margaux like veneer. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grip on the entry. There is a pleasing saline edge, firm grip with a pleasing crescendo towards the opulent but controlled, delineated finish. Perhaps it is showier than its peers, but why not? And there is enormous grip and weight on the finish, making this an impressive Latour for long-term ageing. |
|
| Ch. Latour Martillac |
2009 |
Pessac-Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$692.98 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94 (7/2012): Gorgeous nose of warm stones and dark fruits. Full body with a solid core of fruit and chewy tannins, and a long and intense finish. Best ever. Best after 2016.
WA 93 (2/2012): The best ever wine from this estate (even better than their sensational 2005), this full-bodied wine offers notes of blueberry, black currant, asphalt and burning charcoal embers in a deep, layered and multi-dimensional style. It is impressively pure and well-built, with far greater concentration and length than I ever remember this wine having in the past. Forget it for 5 years and drink it over the following three decades.
WS 92 (3/2012): This has a very solid core of black Mission fig, blackberry preserves and freshly roasted espresso flavors, woven nicely with hints of alder wood, tar and pastis. The long finish shows polish, with nice grip in reserve. Best from 2013 through 2022. 12,083 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Leoville Las Cases |
2009 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,220.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 99 (2/2019): Let yourself go and sink into this deep dark chasm that will swallow you whole if you let it. Enormous concentration, but every bit as much finesse, the finish extremely long and fine. And this is just beginning to give its best! Drink or hold.
JD 98 (11/2020): Still a baby, the 2009 Château Leoville Las Cases is largely in the mold of the 1990 and 1982, offering a sexy opulence while staying in the classic, structured style of the estate. Based on 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, its still ruby/purple hue is followed by a sensational array of blackcurrants, cedar pencil, green tobacco, exotic spices, and incense. With incredible purity, ultra-fine tannins, full-bodied richness, and that rare mix of power and elegance, this magical Saint-Julien is just now starting to reveal some secondary nuances and won't hit full maturity for another decade. It should see its 75th birthday in fine form.
WS 98 (3/2012): This is gorgeously layered with cassis bush, anise, roasted fig and plum reduction notes all framed by racy espresso and graphite. Very deep and very long, with terrific intensity on the finish thanks to razor cut from the seemingly endless iron spine. With its purity and precision, this mineral-driven Cabernet should cruise for two decades. Best from 2020 through 2035. 14,165 cases made.
WA 97 (8/2022): The 2009 Léoville Las Cases is aging very gracefully, exhibiting all the plenitude and generosity of the vintage without any of its potential excesses. Offering up aromas of sweet cassis, loamy soil, cigar wrapper, spices and a deft touch of classy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with a layered core of fruit framed by fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, beautifully defined finish. It's at the beginning of what will be a long drinking window.
VM 97 (3/2019): The 2009 Léoville Las-Cases simply delivers on the nose with intense blackberry, wild hedgerow, graphite and crushed stone aromas on the nose. You would put this down as a Pauillac if served blind, unsurprising given that it borders that appellation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, silky smooth in texture with immense depth. It is blessed with quite brilliant delineation and the precision on the finish is magnificent. Chapeau Mon. Delon. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits Ten Year On tasting. Neal Martin. |
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|
2009 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,563.97 |
2 |
|
| |
JS 99 (2/2019): Let yourself go and sink into this deep dark chasm that will swallow you whole if you let it. Enormous concentration, but every bit as much finesse, the finish extremely long and fine. And this is just beginning to give its best! Drink or hold.
JD 98 (11/2020): Still a baby, the 2009 Château Leoville Las Cases is largely in the mold of the 1990 and 1982, offering a sexy opulence while staying in the classic, structured style of the estate. Based on 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, its still ruby/purple hue is followed by a sensational array of blackcurrants, cedar pencil, green tobacco, exotic spices, and incense. With incredible purity, ultra-fine tannins, full-bodied richness, and that rare mix of power and elegance, this magical Saint-Julien is just now starting to reveal some secondary nuances and won't hit full maturity for another decade. It should see its 75th birthday in fine form.
WS 98 (3/2012): This is gorgeously layered with cassis bush, anise, roasted fig and plum reduction notes all framed by racy espresso and graphite. Very deep and very long, with terrific intensity on the finish thanks to razor cut from the seemingly endless iron spine. With its purity and precision, this mineral-driven Cabernet should cruise for two decades. Best from 2020 through 2035. 14,165 cases made.
WA 97 (8/2022): The 2009 Léoville Las Cases is aging very gracefully, exhibiting all the plenitude and generosity of the vintage without any of its potential excesses. Offering up aromas of sweet cassis, loamy soil, cigar wrapper, spices and a deft touch of classy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with a layered core of fruit framed by fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, beautifully defined finish. It's at the beginning of what will be a long drinking window.
VM 97 (3/2019): The 2009 Léoville Las-Cases simply delivers on the nose with intense blackberry, wild hedgerow, graphite and crushed stone aromas on the nose. You would put this down as a Pauillac if served blind, unsurprising given that it borders that appellation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, silky smooth in texture with immense depth. It is blessed with quite brilliant delineation and the precision on the finish is magnificent. Chapeau Mon. Delon. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits Ten Year On tasting. Neal Martin. |
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|
2009 |
St. Julien (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,594.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 99 (2/2019): Let yourself go and sink into this deep dark chasm that will swallow you whole if you let it. Enormous concentration, but every bit as much finesse, the finish extremely long and fine. And this is just beginning to give its best! Drink or hold.
JD 98 (11/2020): Still a baby, the 2009 Château Leoville Las Cases is largely in the mold of the 1990 and 1982, offering a sexy opulence while staying in the classic, structured style of the estate. Based on 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, its still ruby/purple hue is followed by a sensational array of blackcurrants, cedar pencil, green tobacco, exotic spices, and incense. With incredible purity, ultra-fine tannins, full-bodied richness, and that rare mix of power and elegance, this magical Saint-Julien is just now starting to reveal some secondary nuances and won't hit full maturity for another decade. It should see its 75th birthday in fine form.
WS 98 (3/2012): This is gorgeously layered with cassis bush, anise, roasted fig and plum reduction notes all framed by racy espresso and graphite. Very deep and very long, with terrific intensity on the finish thanks to razor cut from the seemingly endless iron spine. With its purity and precision, this mineral-driven Cabernet should cruise for two decades. Best from 2020 through 2035. 14,165 cases made.
WA 97 (8/2022): The 2009 Léoville Las Cases is aging very gracefully, exhibiting all the plenitude and generosity of the vintage without any of its potential excesses. Offering up aromas of sweet cassis, loamy soil, cigar wrapper, spices and a deft touch of classy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with a layered core of fruit framed by fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, beautifully defined finish. It's at the beginning of what will be a long drinking window.
VM 97 (3/2019): The 2009 Léoville Las-Cases simply delivers on the nose with intense blackberry, wild hedgerow, graphite and crushed stone aromas on the nose. You would put this down as a Pauillac if served blind, unsurprising given that it borders that appellation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, silky smooth in texture with immense depth. It is blessed with quite brilliant delineation and the precision on the finish is magnificent. Chapeau Mon. Delon. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits Ten Year On tasting. Neal Martin. |
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| Ch. Leoville Poyferre |
2009 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,673.97 |
1 |
|
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JD 100 (2/2018): The greatest wine I’ve ever tasted from this address is the 2009 Leoville Poyferre, which is a step up over both the 2000 and the 2010. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and the balance Cabernet Franc that hit 13.9% alcohol, it offers everything you could ask of a wine and reveals a saturated purple color as well as incredible notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, lead pencil, exotic Spices, and dried flowers. Incredibly full-bodied, super concentrated, deep, and opulent, yet still pure, fresh, and lively, it has sweet tannin and a hedonistic vibe that hides its underlying structure. Drink it anytime over the coming three decades.
WA 100 (2/2012): One of the more flamboyant and sumptuous wines of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored St.-Julien reveals thrilling levels of opulence, richness and aromatic pleasures. A soaring bouquet of creme de cassis, charcoal, graphite and spring flowers is followed by a super-concentrated wine with silky tannins, stunning amounts of glycerin, a voluptuous, multilayered mouthfeel and nearly 14% natural alcohol. Displaying fabulous definition for such a big, plump, massive, concentrated effort, I suspect the tannin levels are high even though they are largely concealed by lavish amounts of fruit, glycerin and extract. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.
VM 96 (3/2019): The 2009 Leoville Poyferre has an outstanding bouquet with blackberry, mint and cedar aromas, almost Pauillac in style, very dense and with plenty of horsepower. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, saturated tannins that frame layers of blackberry infused with graphite and white pepper. I love the symmetry and control of this Poyferre, in particular its persistent finish. This is a magnificent wine from Didier Cuvelier. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting. Neal Martin.
JS 95 (2/2019): Ripe and creamy but also refined and lively, this is a beautiful 2009 Medoc, the fine tannins adding a lot to the long and silky finish. The obvious bitter chocolate note will either delight you or be a touch too much. Drink or hold.
WS 93 (3/2012): Solid notes of steeped black currant, ganache-coated fig and plum eau de vie pump along in this very dark red, but with well-integrated structure. Long and winey through the finish, with the grip extending everything nicely. Best from 2016 through 2026. 17,665 cases made. |
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| Ch. Lynch Bages |
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,167.97 |
3 |
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JD 98 (8/2024): In the running for the greatest vintage ever from this château, the 2009 Château Lynch-Bages is pure Pauillac magic, offering a powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, freshly sharpened pencils, smoked tobacco, and gravelly earth. It's full-bodied, has a concentrated, structured mouthfeel, building yet beautifully integrated tannins, and a great, great finish. It's just now at the early stages of its prime drinking window and has another 30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. I wish I'd bought more on release.
WA 96 (3/2019): The medium to deep garnet colored 2009 Lynch Bages is boldly scented of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and baked plums with chocolate box, incense and underbrush suggestions plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, taut and well sustained in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy texture and a lively backbone lifting the black fruit core to a nice long finish.
JS 97 (2/2012): Wow. Intense aromas of blackberries, currants and blueberries, follow through to a full body, with wonderful fruit and ultra-fine tannins. Fabulous Lynch. One of the top buys of the vintage. Best since 1989. I think that 2010 is probably better. Try in 2020.
WS 96 (3/2012): (WS #93 wine of 2012) Tight and backward, this has dense, almost chewy layers of fig, currant and plum cake behind a very solid wall of cedar, roasted vanilla and charcoal notes. There's serious grip on the finish, with an iron edge that won't quit. Best from 2015 through 2035. 31,500 cases made.
VM 92 (7/2023): The 2009 Lynch-Bages is very well defined on the nose, yet powerful with ample fruit to spare: blackberry, wild strawberry, cranberry mixed with cedar and a light mint touch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and lightly spiced with superb focus. It exerts a gentle grip from start to finish, then delivers an engaging, spicy finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent. Tasted at the Lynch Bages vertical at the château. (Drink between 2021-2030) Neal Martin. |
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2009 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,240.97 |
1 |
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JD 98 (8/2024): In the running for the greatest vintage ever from this château, the 2009 Château Lynch-Bages is pure Pauillac magic, offering a powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, freshly sharpened pencils, smoked tobacco, and gravelly earth. It's full-bodied, has a concentrated, structured mouthfeel, building yet beautifully integrated tannins, and a great, great finish. It's just now at the early stages of its prime drinking window and has another 30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. I wish I'd bought more on release.
WA 96 (3/2019): The medium to deep garnet colored 2009 Lynch Bages is boldly scented of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and baked plums with chocolate box, incense and underbrush suggestions plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, taut and well sustained in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy texture and a lively backbone lifting the black fruit core to a nice long finish.
JS 97 (2/2012): Wow. Intense aromas of blackberries, currants and blueberries, follow through to a full body, with wonderful fruit and ultra-fine tannins. Fabulous Lynch. One of the top buys of the vintage. Best since 1989. I think that 2010 is probably better. Try in 2020.
WS 96 (3/2012): (WS #93 wine of 2012) Tight and backward, this has dense, almost chewy layers of fig, currant and plum cake behind a very solid wall of cedar, roasted vanilla and charcoal notes. There's serious grip on the finish, with an iron edge that won't quit. Best from 2015 through 2035. 31,500 cases made.
VM 92 (7/2023): The 2009 Lynch-Bages is very well defined on the nose, yet powerful with ample fruit to spare: blackberry, wild strawberry, cranberry mixed with cedar and a light mint touch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and lightly spiced with superb focus. It exerts a gentle grip from start to finish, then delivers an engaging, spicy finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent. Tasted at the Lynch Bages vertical at the château. (Drink between 2021-2030) Neal Martin. |
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2009 |
Pauillac (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,769.97 |
1 |
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JD 98 (8/2024): In the running for the greatest vintage ever from this château, the 2009 Château Lynch-Bages is pure Pauillac magic, offering a powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, freshly sharpened pencils, smoked tobacco, and gravelly earth. It's full-bodied, has a concentrated, structured mouthfeel, building yet beautifully integrated tannins, and a great, great finish. It's just now at the early stages of its prime drinking window and has another 30 years of prime drinking ahead of it. I wish I'd bought more on release.
WA 96 (3/2019): The medium to deep garnet colored 2009 Lynch Bages is boldly scented of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and baked plums with chocolate box, incense and underbrush suggestions plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, taut and well sustained in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy texture and a lively backbone lifting the black fruit core to a nice long finish.
JS 97 (2/2012): Wow. Intense aromas of blackberries, currants and blueberries, follow through to a full body, with wonderful fruit and ultra-fine tannins. Fabulous Lynch. One of the top buys of the vintage. Best since 1989. I think that 2010 is probably better. Try in 2020.
WS 96 (3/2012): (WS #93 wine of 2012) Tight and backward, this has dense, almost chewy layers of fig, currant and plum cake behind a very solid wall of cedar, roasted vanilla and charcoal notes. There's serious grip on the finish, with an iron edge that won't quit. Best from 2015 through 2035. 31,500 cases made.
VM 92 (7/2023): The 2009 Lynch-Bages is very well defined on the nose, yet powerful with ample fruit to spare: blackberry, wild strawberry, cranberry mixed with cedar and a light mint touch. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity and lightly spiced with superb focus. It exerts a gentle grip from start to finish, then delivers an engaging, spicy finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent. Tasted at the Lynch Bages vertical at the château. (Drink between 2021-2030) Neal Martin. |
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| Ch. Malartic Lagraviere |
2009 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$896.98 |
1 |
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WA 92+ (2/2012): Probably the best wine that has come from this estate, along with their 2005, the final blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot boasts Michel Rolland as the consulting oenologist. This organically farmed vineyard has turned out a deeply layered wine with a striking perfume of graphite, wet stones, red and black currants, tobacco leaf and underbrush. The compelling aromatics are followed by a medium-bodied but intensely concentrated wine with loads of ripe fruit, plenty of glycerin (14% natural alcohol) and a long, nuanced, impressively endowed finish. Accessible already, this wine should continue to drink well for 15 or more years.
WS 92 (3/2012): Packed and very backward, with taut tobacco, iron and bittersweet cocoa notes up front, while the core of crushed plum, roasted fig and cassis flavors is held in reserve. Lots of chalky grip marks the finish, where the fruit drips in the background. Best from 2015 through 2022. 7,500 cases made. |
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| Ch. Malescot St. Exupery |
2009 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,423.97 |
1 |
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JS 97+ (11/2011): Lots of blueberries and blackberries with hints of dark chocolate. Full bodied, with gorgeous fruit. Loads of dried strawberries with dark chocolate. I love the texture of the velvety tannins. What length and beauty here. Superb. Best ever from this estate. Try after 2019.
WA 96 (2/2012): An inky/purple color is followed by notes of Asian plum sauce, forest floor, creme de cassis, black raspberries and a floral component that is unusual for a Margaux. A wine of exceptional intensity and purity with a full-bodied, sumptuous texture, lots of fresh vibrancy and excellent definition, this beautiful 2009 exhibits high but sweet tannin. It is more sexy than the 2005 was at a similar age, although their level of extract and concentration is relatively equal. Something about the 2009 reminds me of a Margaux version of St.-Julien's Leoville Poyferre ... if that makes any sense. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.
WS 94 (6/2012): This is beautiful, with smoldering tar, espresso and tobacco leaf notes fully melded together, while the core of crushed plum, steeped black currant and blackberry fruit sits in reserve. A twinge of iron adds extra length and definition on the finish. Very suave. Approachable now, but with plenty of stuffing and balance for the cellar as well. Best from 2013 through 2030. 9,580 cases made.
VM 91+ (7/2012): Inky ruby. Ripe aromas of plum, blackberry jam and sweet balsamic vinegar. Rich and ripe in the mouth, with lively acidity lifting the creamy black fruit flavors and extending the wine's lightly peppery, very suave finish. Not the most refined or subtle Margaux you'll ever taste but immensely drinkable, and with plenty of depth and concentration to its aromas and flavors. |
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| Ch. Margaux |
2009 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$8,936.97 |
1 |
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JS 99 (3/2019): This marathon runner is currently in the no-man's land between youthful vitality and mellow maturity. There's a very serious tannin structure here, but it needs a lot longer to fully resolve. Very tight and closed. A perfect wine usually. But not today. Try in 2020.
WA 99 (2/2012): A brilliant offering from the Mentzelopoulos family, once again their gifted manager, Paul Pontallier, has produced an uncommonly concentrated, powerful 2009 Chateau Margaux made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Medocs, the alcohol here is actually lower (a modest 13.3%) than most of its siblings-. Abundant blueberry, cassis and acacia flower as well as hints of charcoal and forest floor aromas that are almost Burgundian in their complexity are followed by a wine displaying sweet, well-integrated tannins as well as a certain ethereal lightness despite the wine's overall size. Rich, round, generous and unusually approachable for such a young Margaux, this 2009 should drink well for 30-35+ years.
VM 97 (3/2019): The 2009 Château Margaux is blessed with a stunning nose that delivers intense blackberry and cranberry scents, crushed rose petals and touches of slate. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, taut and quite linear with an effortless and precise finish that is a pure joy. You have the sense of a Château Margaux that is only beginning to show what it can do. Brilliant. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting. Neal Martin.
WS 97 (12/2013): This offers gorgeously caressing fruit, with steeped plum, blackberry and red currant notes, finely embroidered with accents of rooibos and black tea, tobacco leaf, alder and sandalwood. Delivers loads of fruit, with the structure already melded into the core of fruit-but that's the vintage style. A stunner, though I still find the '10 a full step ahead. Non-blind Château Margaux vertical (December 2013). Best from 2018 through 2035. |
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2009 |
Margaux (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,504.99 |
1 |
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JS 99 (3/2019): This marathon runner is currently in the no-man's land between youthful vitality and mellow maturity. There's a very serious tannin structure here, but it needs a lot longer to fully resolve. Very tight and closed. A perfect wine usually. But not today. Try in 2020.
WA 99 (2/2012): A brilliant offering from the Mentzelopoulos family, once again their gifted manager, Paul Pontallier, has produced an uncommonly concentrated, powerful 2009 Chateau Margaux made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Medocs, the alcohol here is actually lower (a modest 13.3%) than most of its siblings-. Abundant blueberry, cassis and acacia flower as well as hints of charcoal and forest floor aromas that are almost Burgundian in their complexity are followed by a wine displaying sweet, well-integrated tannins as well as a certain ethereal lightness despite the wine's overall size. Rich, round, generous and unusually approachable for such a young Margaux, this 2009 should drink well for 30-35+ years.
VM 97 (3/2019): The 2009 Château Margaux is blessed with a stunning nose that delivers intense blackberry and cranberry scents, crushed rose petals and touches of slate. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, taut and quite linear with an effortless and precise finish that is a pure joy. You have the sense of a Château Margaux that is only beginning to show what it can do. Brilliant. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting. Neal Martin.
WS 97 (12/2013): This offers gorgeously caressing fruit, with steeped plum, blackberry and red currant notes, finely embroidered with accents of rooibos and black tea, tobacco leaf, alder and sandalwood. Delivers loads of fruit, with the structure already melded into the core of fruit-but that's the vintage style. A stunner, though I still find the '10 a full step ahead. Non-blind Château Margaux vertical (December 2013). Best from 2018 through 2035. |
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| Ch. Marquis de Terme |
2009 |
Margaux (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$870.97 |
1 |
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| |
|
| La Chapelle de La Mission Haut Brion |
2009 |
Pessac Leognan (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,434.97 |
1 |
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| |
NM 94 (5/2014): Tasted at Christies' Boardroom dinner from an ex-chateau bottle. Now with three of four years in bottle, the 2009 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc serves up a delightful white Pessac-Leognan. It has a slightly paler colour compared to the Haut-Brion Blanc served alongside. The bouquet is complex with attractive lime flower, lemon curd and heightened marine influences (cockle shell and seaweed.) The palate is very well balanced with a fine line of acidity, spicier than I recollect with a twist of ginger towards the sensual finish. This is a superb, long-term white Pessac-Leognan.
JS 94 (5/2012): Sweet berry and sweet tobacco with chocolate and orange peel on the nose. Full and velvety tannins and long finish. Gorgeous. Creamy texture. Try in 2016.
WS 92 (3/2012): A plush, modern style version, with a rounded feel to the spice-tinged structure that supports the fleshy blackberry and raspberry confiture flavors. Fruitcake and dark anise chime in the background and echo through the suave, well-coated finish. Best from 2014 through 2025. 5,800 cases made.
WA 91 (2/2012): The second wine, the 2009 La Chapelle de la Mission, is essentially an equal part blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with slightly more Cabernet Franc that came in at 14.2% natural alcohol. It reveals an extraordinary meaty nose displaying hints of volcanic soils, burning embers, sweet black currants, blueberries, plums, tobacco leaf and wet stones. This tasty, full-bodied, supple-textured beauty should drink well for 15-20 years.
VM 91 (7/2012): Deep ruby. Deep, complex nose of blackcurrant, coffee and fresh herbs. Similarly complex on the palate, offering rich yet fresh flavors of black fruits, aromatic herbs and cocoa along with a hint of violet. This long, youthfully chewy wine is much bigger than the very good 2008. Like La Mission, this has improved greatly since the Primeurs, when I probably underrated it by a point or two. Don't think I'm crazy when I tell you that this wine is very close in quality to some La Missions from lesser vintages of the past. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Ch. Montrose |
2009 |
St. Estephe (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,950.98 |
3 |
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WA 100 (3/2019): Hallelujah—what a glorious nose! The deep garnet colored 2009 Montrose features beautiful Black Forest cake, licorice, crème de cassis and warm blueberries scents with hints of charcoal, truffles, tapenade and menthol plus a waft of star anise. The palate is full-bodied, rich, super concentrated and yet superbly harmonious with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.
JS 100 (2/2012): Blueberries, currants and Indian spices on the nose follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a lovely finish. It's intense and refined. A beauty. It goes on for minutes. Speechless. Better and cleaner than the great 1990. Try in 2022.
VM 98+ (3/2019): The 2009 Montrose has a taut, brilliantly defined bouquet with intense black fruit laced with crushed stone, forest floor, crushed rose petals and a touch of slate. Magnificent. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, good depth and grip, plenty of graphite locked in here with a bravura finish that indicates that this Saint-Estèphe is in for the long-haul. It may well deserve a higher score as it evolves in bottle. Everything you wish for in a Montrose. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Neal Martin.
WS 97 (3/2012): A bit of a brute, with a very chewy bittersweet ganache, tobacco and roasted fig core splayed open right now by a dagger of roasted apple wood, allspice and cedar. Long and dense through the finish, with a strong singed iron edge. The stuffing is certainly there, but this will take a while to come together as it's running unbridled right now. Proves you can still get classic old-school Bordeaux. Best from 2020 through 2040. 17,000 cases made. |
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2009 |
St. Estephe (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,569.99 |
1 |
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WA 100 (3/2019): Hallelujah—what a glorious nose! The deep garnet colored 2009 Montrose features beautiful Black Forest cake, licorice, crème de cassis and warm blueberries scents with hints of charcoal, truffles, tapenade and menthol plus a waft of star anise. The palate is full-bodied, rich, super concentrated and yet superbly harmonious with a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.
JS 100 (2/2012): Blueberries, currants and Indian spices on the nose follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a lovely finish. It's intense and refined. A beauty. It goes on for minutes. Speechless. Better and cleaner than the great 1990. Try in 2022.
VM 98+ (3/2019): The 2009 Montrose has a taut, brilliantly defined bouquet with intense black fruit laced with crushed stone, forest floor, crushed rose petals and a touch of slate. Magnificent. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, good depth and grip, plenty of graphite locked in here with a bravura finish that indicates that this Saint-Estèphe is in for the long-haul. It may well deserve a higher score as it evolves in bottle. Everything you wish for in a Montrose. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Neal Martin.
WS 97 (3/2012): A bit of a brute, with a very chewy bittersweet ganache, tobacco and roasted fig core splayed open right now by a dagger of roasted apple wood, allspice and cedar. Long and dense through the finish, with a strong singed iron edge. The stuffing is certainly there, but this will take a while to come together as it's running unbridled right now. Proves you can still get classic old-school Bordeaux. Best from 2020 through 2040. 17,000 cases made. |
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| Ch. Mouton-Rothschild |
2009 |
Le Petit Mouton Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,428.99 |
2 |
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2009 |
Le Petit Mouton Pauillac (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,327.97 |
1 |
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2009 |
Pauillac (6x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$16,093.97 |
1 |
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WA 99 (4/2019): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Mouton Rothschild gives up bold earthy notions of underbrush, tilled soil and fungi over a core of crème de cassis, plum preserves and Indian spices with a waft of camphor. Full-bodied with a firm, velvety tannin texture and packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, it has seamless freshness and a very long, decadently fruited finish.
WS 98 (7/2017): This will always be a great contrast to the dark power of the 2010, sporting lush layers of fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture, carried by velvety tannins, flowing through a long, anise-, tobacco- and cocoa-fueled finish. Not shy on grip, but much rounder and plusher in feel. Hard to resist now, but there's absolutely no rush.--Non-blind Mouton-Rothschild vertical (March 2017). Best from 2020 through 2050. 16,000 cases made.
JS 98 (2/2019): With a ton of ripe blackcurrant and some bitter chocolate this is a rich and rather opulent wine that still retains a delightful freshness and has a long, positively dry finish. Drink or hold. |
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| Ch. Palmer |
2009 |
Margaux (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,891.97 |
1 |
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JD 99 (11/2020): I've been lucky enough to have the 2009 Château Palmer numerous times over the past handful of years, and it continues to be a primordial yet heavenly wine every time, revealing a deep purple color as well as an incredibly powerful bouquet of blackcurrants, black cherry liqueur, smoked tobacco, graphite, crushed stone, and chocolate. Possessing full-bodied richness and a massive, dense, incredibly powerful style (not far off the 2018), it gains elegance and finesse with time in the glass, has ultra-fine tannins, and one hell of a finish. This magical Palmer needs another decade to hit maturity and will evolve for 50+ years or more.
JS 98 (2/2012): This has such class and power. Aromas of blueberries and blackberries, with hints of violets. Full-bodied, with polished tannins and a juicy finish. Solid and extremely pretty. Fabulous finish. Try in 2020.
WA 98 (3/2019): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Palmer delivers a beguiling array of black fruit—warm plums, cassis and black cherry compote—with kirsch and wild sage sparks plus profound suggestions of fragrant earth, black truffles, iron ore and liquid licorice. Full-bodied, rich and decadently seductive in the mouth, the generous fruit is superbly framed with plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.
VM 96 (3/2019): The 2009 Palmer has a beautifully defined bouquet with bright black cherry and boysenberry fruit, crushed stone and rose petal. Not as decadent as the bottle poured at the BI tasting, yet precise. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and refined tannin, and crisp acidity. Wonderfully poised with quite a penetrating finish that delivers a payload of multi-layered blueberry and blackberry. This is a very well crafted 2009 Margaux destined for long-term ageing. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Neal Martin.
WS 95 (3/2012): This is on another level from most in the appellation, with gorgeous layers of warm currant confiture, smoldering tobacco, licorice snap, warm paving stone and anise all framed by tarry but integrated grip. Stays sleek and well-defined through the finish. Should age beautifully. Best from 2015 through 2030. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 9,500 cases made. |
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| Ch. Pavie |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,890.99 |
1 |
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JD 100 (3/2019): Similar in style to the blockbuster 2005, the 2009 Pavie is another magical, legendary wine from the Perse family that tops out on my scale. Made from 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 80% new French oak, its saturated purple color is followed by a massive bouquet of blackcurrants, scorched earth, chocolate, graphite, and lead pencil, with an incredible sense of minerality. Deep, full-bodied, and remarkably concentrated and intense, it still stays perfectly balanced and weightless, with building yet sweet tannins. It’s still a baby yet is a magical drink today given its opulence, purity and balance. Drink this magical wine any time over the coming 50-60 years.
WA 100 (8/2015): While the Perses may think the 2005 is the summit of winemaking at Pavie, this vintage certainly gives serious competition to both the 2005 and 2000. It is certainly the most opulent and luxuriously rich wine Pavie has ever made (and that is saying something). Pavie’s style of low yields, ripe fruit and serious extraction does produce, even in lighter vintages, a very concentrated and dense wine, but in the great years, the results are legendary. This wine has an inky purple color and a stunningly sweet, ripe nose of mulberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, licorice and incense. The oak still has some presence in the aromatics, as well as in the full-bodied, very concentrated, skyscraper-like mouthfeel and texture. This wine feels almost as if you could lose your palate in it, it is so dense and deep, yet at the same time it possesses silky tannins and rather remarkable purity, balance, and a good 60-second-plus finish. This is an amazing wine and probably will be drinkable in 5-10 years (although actually it could be drunk now because of the vintage’s voluptuous texture), and again, seems to have 50 or more years of longevity. It is clearly a modern Bordeaux legend.
WS 98 (6/2012): This is massively rendered, with powerful notes of dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit intertwined with ganache, maduro tobacco and tar. Yet the overall impression is both polished and driven, with a buried graphite edge and lingering spice notes that hint at the reward for extended cellaring. It's amazing to see the results when ambition and execution are equal. Best from 2020 through 2040. 7,080 cases made.
JS 98 (4/2012): This is a powerful wine with mineral and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with firm tannins yet they are very polished and beautiful. It goes on for minutes. It is so layered and deep. It needs at least 10 years before opening. It is a dense and deep wine.
VM 96 (3/2019): The 2009 Pavie has a gorgeous bouquet, very pure and refined with seamlessly integrated oak and wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, perfectly judged acidity. Fine grip with compelling tension on the finish. This shimmers with energy. Easily, this is the best bottle that I have encountered over the years. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Neal Martin. |
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2009 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,008.97 |
1 |
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JD 100 (3/2019): Similar in style to the blockbuster 2005, the 2009 Pavie is another magical, legendary wine from the Perse family that tops out on my scale. Made from 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in 80% new French oak, its saturated purple color is followed by a massive bouquet of blackcurrants, scorched earth, chocolate, graphite, and lead pencil, with an incredible sense of minerality. Deep, full-bodied, and remarkably concentrated and intense, it still stays perfectly balanced and weightless, with building yet sweet tannins. It’s still a baby yet is a magical drink today given its opulence, purity and balance. Drink this magical wine any time over the coming 50-60 years.
WA 100 (8/2015): While the Perses may think the 2005 is the summit of winemaking at Pavie, this vintage certainly gives serious competition to both the 2005 and 2000. It is certainly the most opulent and luxuriously rich wine Pavie has ever made (and that is saying something). Pavie’s style of low yields, ripe fruit and serious extraction does produce, even in lighter vintages, a very concentrated and dense wine, but in the great years, the results are legendary. This wine has an inky purple color and a stunningly sweet, ripe nose of mulberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, licorice and incense. The oak still has some presence in the aromatics, as well as in the full-bodied, very concentrated, skyscraper-like mouthfeel and texture. This wine feels almost as if you could lose your palate in it, it is so dense and deep, yet at the same time it possesses silky tannins and rather remarkable purity, balance, and a good 60-second-plus finish. This is an amazing wine and probably will be drinkable in 5-10 years (although actually it could be drunk now because of the vintage’s voluptuous texture), and again, seems to have 50 or more years of longevity. It is clearly a modern Bordeaux legend.
WS 98 (6/2012): This is massively rendered, with powerful notes of dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit intertwined with ganache, maduro tobacco and tar. Yet the overall impression is both polished and driven, with a buried graphite edge and lingering spice notes that hint at the reward for extended cellaring. It's amazing to see the results when ambition and execution are equal. Best from 2020 through 2040. 7,080 cases made.
JS 98 (4/2012): This is a powerful wine with mineral and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with firm tannins yet they are very polished and beautiful. It goes on for minutes. It is so layered and deep. It needs at least 10 years before opening. It is a dense and deep wine.
VM 96 (3/2019): The 2009 Pavie has a gorgeous bouquet, very pure and refined with seamlessly integrated oak and wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, perfectly judged acidity. Fine grip with compelling tension on the finish. This shimmers with energy. Easily, this is the best bottle that I have encountered over the years. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Pavie Decesse |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,534.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (2/2012): Bottled the week of January 16 (a week before I tasted it), the 2009 Pavie Decesse (from a tiny 9-acre vineyard on the limestone slopes above Pavie) is an uncommonly fat, succulent, rich, 1,000-case cuvee with 14.3% alcohol. It boasts an inky/blue/purple hue along with notes of incense, spring flowers, roasted espresso, chocolate, licorice, blackberries and blueberries. Even though it is aged in 100% oak, the wood is virtually non-existent. An inky blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine exhibits a flawless integration of acidity, alcohol and tannin. This opulent, viscous, thick, juicy St.-Emilion will be accessible in 5-7 years and last for three decades. |
|
| Ch. Pavie Macquin |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,483.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 96 (7/2015): This is a "wow" wine, with a stunning display of plum, blackberry and raspberry confiture aromas and flavors, allied to a dense but very velvety structure. Licorice, violet and plum cake notes fill in the background. Everything carries through the long, lush finish until the fine chalky minerality finally appears, adding remarkable finesse to this otherwise explosive display. Hard not to drink now, but this will cruise in the cellar.—Non-blind Pavie Macquin vertical (December 2014). Drink now through 2030. 3,750 cases made.
JS 96 (2/2012): Gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberries and blueberries, with vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with a solid core of very ripe fruit, toasted oak, milk chocolate and a long finish. Layered and intense. Made from organically grown grapes. Try in 2018.
VM 94+ (3/2014): (14.5% alcohol; 3.39 pH): Bright ruby-red. Enticing nose offers fragrant floral and red berry aromas lifted by aromatic wood and mineral notes. Bright, fresh and juicy, with concentrated red berry, tobacco and delicately herbal flavors showing noteworthy precision and depth. The very lively but harmonious acidity extends the flavors at the back. Despite the relatively warm vintage, Pavie Macquin's cool soils have yielded a bright, fresh wine with great purity of fruit and Outstanding length. The youthful chewy tannins are noble and need time to resolve. This vintage of Pavie Macquin will requires patience, but it will age splendidly and ought to prove one of the best Pavie Macquins yet made.
WA 92+ (2/2012): The 2009 is enormous in size, yet broodingly backward, I was somewhat surprised by the astringency of the tannins in this blend of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a big wine (14.5% alcohol), black purple in color, with huge concentration of fruit and beautiful purity, but a good decade of cellaring is required. From a top terroir, this wine is built for the long haul, and I am sure it will be even better than its relatively conservative rating at this point. Anticipated maturity: 2022-2035.
NM 92+ (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. This sample was just let down by some volatility showing through on the nose that rendered it more like a Tuscan wine! Boot polish notes coming through with aeration. Everything is as it should be on the palate, which is medium-bodied with sweet ripe tannins. It is well balanced and fleshy with a very sweet, playful finish. I’ll be scoring this higher for sure. |
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|
2009 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,115.97 |
3 |
|
| |
WS 96 (7/2015): This is a "wow" wine, with a stunning display of plum, blackberry and raspberry confiture aromas and flavors, allied to a dense but very velvety structure. Licorice, violet and plum cake notes fill in the background. Everything carries through the long, lush finish until the fine chalky minerality finally appears, adding remarkable finesse to this otherwise explosive display. Hard not to drink now, but this will cruise in the cellar.—Non-blind Pavie Macquin vertical (December 2014). Drink now through 2030. 3,750 cases made.
JS 96 (2/2012): Gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberries and blueberries, with vanilla bean. Full-bodied, with a solid core of very ripe fruit, toasted oak, milk chocolate and a long finish. Layered and intense. Made from organically grown grapes. Try in 2018.
VM 94+ (3/2014): (14.5% alcohol; 3.39 pH): Bright ruby-red. Enticing nose offers fragrant floral and red berry aromas lifted by aromatic wood and mineral notes. Bright, fresh and juicy, with concentrated red berry, tobacco and delicately herbal flavors showing noteworthy precision and depth. The very lively but harmonious acidity extends the flavors at the back. Despite the relatively warm vintage, Pavie Macquin's cool soils have yielded a bright, fresh wine with great purity of fruit and Outstanding length. The youthful chewy tannins are noble and need time to resolve. This vintage of Pavie Macquin will requires patience, but it will age splendidly and ought to prove one of the best Pavie Macquins yet made.
WA 92+ (2/2012): The 2009 is enormous in size, yet broodingly backward, I was somewhat surprised by the astringency of the tannins in this blend of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a big wine (14.5% alcohol), black purple in color, with huge concentration of fruit and beautiful purity, but a good decade of cellaring is required. From a top terroir, this wine is built for the long haul, and I am sure it will be even better than its relatively conservative rating at this point. Anticipated maturity: 2022-2035.
NM 92+ (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. This sample was just let down by some volatility showing through on the nose that rendered it more like a Tuscan wine! Boot polish notes coming through with aeration. Everything is as it should be on the palate, which is medium-bodied with sweet ripe tannins. It is well balanced and fleshy with a very sweet, playful finish. I’ll be scoring this higher for sure. |
|
| Clos Payrol |
2009 |
Pomerol |
$75.65 |
1 |
|
| |
| NM 80-82 (4/2010): Tasted at the Pomerol Syndicate tasting. This has quite an intense blackberry nose, a touch of greenness that seems to dissipate with time. The palate has a chocolaty entry, firm toasty tannins, a little manufactured let’s say and lacking a sense of natural being. |
|
| Ch. Peby Faugeres |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,748.97 |
1 |
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| |
| WA 98+ (12/2011): The Peby Faugeres comes from a sector of Faugeres of over 20 acres where the vines are 45 years of age on average. In 2009 the yields were only 18 hectoliters per hectare. This 100% Merlot cuvee was impressive from barrel but is even more remarkable from bottle. One of the superstars of the vintage, this dense, opaque purple wine displays notes of blueberry liqueur intermixed with graphite, pen ink, licorice, incense and white flowers. Deep and full-bodied, with a boatload of tannin and glycerin as well as incredible texture and length, this is a wine of first-growth quality from St.-Emilion that should be cellared for a good 7-8 years, and then drunk over the following 25-30. It finished at around 15% natural alcohol and there are about 1,000 cases of it. |
|
| Ch. Pedesclaux |
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$896.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$508.97 |
5 |
|
| |
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| Ch. Pichon-Longueville Baron |
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,630.97 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98 (2/2012): Revealing incredible quality and performing better than it did from barrel, the 2009 appears to be the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron since the 1990 and 1989. An amazing opaque blue/purple color is followed by scents of spring flowers, graphite, smoky charcoal, incense, blackberries, blueberries and hints of coffee and chocolate. Incredibly intense, pure and flawlessly constructed with extravagant layers of fruit and richness, this offering has developed beautifully under the management of Christian Seeley. It is a voluptuous, opulent Pichon Longueville Baron that may eclipse anything they have made in the past. This brilliant wine should be at its peak between 2018 and 2045.
JS 97 (2/2012): Amazing aromas of ripe currants and plums with flowers. Full body, with super fine tannins and wonderful fruit. It is energized. Better than I remember it from barrel. Reminds me of the 1990 PB. Try after 2020.
VM 96 (7/2012): Saturated deep ruby-red. Pungent, brooding, very ripe aromas and flavors of cassis, blueberry, licorice, bitter chocolate, espresso and minerals, along with hints of spices and underbrush. Large-scaled, rich and deep, with superb chewy ripeness and terrific mineral lift. At once plush and powerful, boasting the texture of a first growth, with a near-perfect sugar/acid balance. The palate-staining finish features substantial ripe, chewy tannins and rising length. This should evolve gracefully in bottle for two or three decades. Stephen Tanzer.
NM 96 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Pichon Baron 2009 is a great wine destined to last for many years. It has a very well defined bouquet with blackberry, creme de cassis and still some vanillary new oak that needs bottle age to be subsumed. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. This is beautifully composed and pure with an unerring symmetry. It is tightly coiled and very precise, yet the finish has enormous length. Outstanding.
WS 95 (3/2012): This delivers a massive core of black Mission fig, black currant paste and roasted fig fruit, backed by alder wood, bay leaf, singed cedar and maduro tobacco. The finish lets a racy iron note take over. Long and authoritative, with gorgeous acidity giving the balance for long-term cellaring. Best from 2013 through 2030. 13,000 cases made. |
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|
2009 |
Pauillac (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,387.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (2/2012): Revealing incredible quality and performing better than it did from barrel, the 2009 appears to be the greatest Pichon Longueville Baron since the 1990 and 1989. An amazing opaque blue/purple color is followed by scents of spring flowers, graphite, smoky charcoal, incense, blackberries, blueberries and hints of coffee and chocolate. Incredibly intense, pure and flawlessly constructed with extravagant layers of fruit and richness, this offering has developed beautifully under the management of Christian Seeley. It is a voluptuous, opulent Pichon Longueville Baron that may eclipse anything they have made in the past. This brilliant wine should be at its peak between 2018 and 2045.
JS 97 (2/2012): Amazing aromas of ripe currants and plums with flowers. Full body, with super fine tannins and wonderful fruit. It is energized. Better than I remember it from barrel. Reminds me of the 1990 PB. Try after 2020.
VM 96 (7/2012): Saturated deep ruby-red. Pungent, brooding, very ripe aromas and flavors of cassis, blueberry, licorice, bitter chocolate, espresso and minerals, along with hints of spices and underbrush. Large-scaled, rich and deep, with superb chewy ripeness and terrific mineral lift. At once plush and powerful, boasting the texture of a first growth, with a near-perfect sugar/acid balance. The palate-staining finish features substantial ripe, chewy tannins and rising length. This should evolve gracefully in bottle for two or three decades. Stephen Tanzer.
NM 96 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Pichon Baron 2009 is a great wine destined to last for many years. It has a very well defined bouquet with blackberry, creme de cassis and still some vanillary new oak that needs bottle age to be subsumed. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. This is beautifully composed and pure with an unerring symmetry. It is tightly coiled and very precise, yet the finish has enormous length. Outstanding.
WS 95 (3/2012): This delivers a massive core of black Mission fig, black currant paste and roasted fig fruit, backed by alder wood, bay leaf, singed cedar and maduro tobacco. The finish lets a racy iron note take over. Long and authoritative, with gorgeous acidity giving the balance for long-term cellaring. Best from 2013 through 2030. 13,000 cases made. |
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| Ch. Pichon-Longueville Lalande |
2009 |
Pauillac (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,534.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97+ (3.2019): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a little reticent to begin, slowly giving way to notions of warm black cherries, blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums and sautéed herbs with hints of damp soil, tobacco and beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound black fruit and earthy layers, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness making for a long, lively finish. Classic!
JD 95 (3/2022): In the same qualitative ballpark as the 2010, if not a step up, the 2009 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande nevertheless offers more immediate pleasure and opulence, with a gorgeous perfume of blackcurrants, lead pencil, unsmoked tobacco, truffle, and spice box. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, this full-bodied, round, mouth-filling Pauillac has sweet tannins, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It needs an hour or two in a decant today to drink brilliantly and will unquestionably evolve gracefully for another 20-25 years.
VM 94 (3/2019): The 2009 Pichon-Lalande offers copious scents of boysenberry, cassis and blue fruit on the nose, a little smudged compared to the Pichon Baron but very pure. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very rounded in the mouth thanks to the precocious Merlot content, sage and orange rind developing towards the caressing finish. A very sensual Pichon-Lalande, tempting. A great wine although the 2010 has the upper hand. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting. Neal Martin.
JS 96 (2/2012): What a great nose of blackberries, currants and spices. Hints of fresh herbs. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and lovely fruit. Such finesse and beauty. Wonderful to taste. Reminds me of the legendary 1982. Try in 2018.
WS 93 (11/2014): The ripe red currant, blackberry and boysenberry fruit is layered with black licorice snap, fruitcake and plum sauce notes. Has the fleshier edge of the vintage but retains a solidly racy graphite spine through the finish. A step behind the '10 in density and energy, though hardly a slouch.—Non-blind Pichon Lalande vertical (July 2014). Best from 2018 through 2035. 15,000 cases made. |
|
| Le Pin |
2009 |
Pomerol (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$16,547.97 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Rouget |
2009 |
Pomerol (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$765.97 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte |
2009 |
Pessac Leognan (6.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,436.98 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 100 (11/2020): I think the greatest Smith Haut Lafitte to date (possibly matched by the 2018), the 2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte tastes like it did on release, offering a smorgasbord of Graves magic in its smoked blackcurrants, chocolate, cold fireplace, truffle, unsmoked tobacco, and Asian spices. While this is a big, rich, incredibly concentrated Graves, it nevertheless maintains a beautiful level of nuance and elegance, with silky tannins, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and a heavenly finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all truly great wines, it delivers an incredible amount of pleasure, both hedonistic and intellectual, all while staying weightless, graceful, and elegant. Hats off to the Cathiard family and winemaker Fabien Teitgen for this legendary Graves!
WA 100 (2/2012): The finest wine ever made by proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard, the 2009 Smith-Haut-Lafitte exhibits an opaque blue/purple color in addition to a glorious nose of acacia flowers, licorice, charcoal, blueberries, black raspberries, lead pencil shavings and incense. This massive, extraordinarily rich, unctuously textured wine may be the most concentrated effort produced to date, although the 2000, 2005 and 2010 are nearly as prodigious. A gorgeous expression of Pessac-Leognan with sweet tannin, emerging charm and delicacy, and considerable power, depth, richness and authority, it should age effortlessly for 30-40+ years. Bravo!
JS 96 (2/2012): Aromas of flowers, dried citrus fruit and blueberries follow through to a full body, with firm and silky tannins and a long, long finish. Gorgeous fruit and structure. Polished and powerful. Best red ever from Smith. Best in 2018.
WS 96 (3/2012): This is really loaded, with crushed plum, blueberry, cassis, fig and blackberry paste flavors all melded together, along with notes of tar, pastis and violet. Very long and dark, but polished and pure, with terrific fruit offset by a great tug of earth on the finish. Should cruise easily in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2035. 10,000 cases made.
VM 94 (3/2019): The 2009 Smith Haut-Lafitte has a very perfumed, quite floral bouquet with violets permeating the black and red fruit, hints of game and leather developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. Touches of brown spice filter through the red fruit and towards a fleshy and lightly peppered finish. This is a classy Pessac-Léognan from the Cathiard's...though, the 2016 is better! Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. St. Pierre |
2009 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,223.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (2/2012): The all-time greatest wine I have ever tasted from Saint-Pierre, this estate, the smallest of the grand cru classes of St.-Julien, has an opaque purple color and a spectacular nose of subtle charcoal, creme de cassis, blackberry, and incense. Full-bodied, with striking intensity and flamboyantly rich, exuberant flavors bursting with extract, the St. Pierre has no hard edges, but rather massive, incredibly well-endowed blockbuster style, which should prove to be monumental. Give it 6-8 years to take on more definition and calm down, but this is a 30- to 40-year wine. Bravo!
VM 93 (7/2012): Bright medium ruby. Lovely violet lift to the aromas of cassis, blackberry, cedar, minerals and licorice. Supple and sweet on entry, then tight and vibrant in the middle, with strong acidity currently keeping the wine's redcurrant and mineral flavors under wraps. Most impressive today on the gripping, mineral-driven finish, which features substantial fine-grained tannins and terrific rising length. Hold this for 6 years, then enjoy it over the following 15.
WS 92 (3/2012): Dark and winey, with lots of graphite and espresso-tinged grip driving the dark plum, braised fig and steeped black currant fruit flavors. Features lots of tar and briar on the finish. Muscular but mouthwatering. Should unwind nicely in the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2025. 6,250 cases made. |
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|
2009 |
St. Julien (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$750.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (2/2012): The all-time greatest wine I have ever tasted from Saint-Pierre, this estate, the smallest of the grand cru classes of St.-Julien, has an opaque purple color and a spectacular nose of subtle charcoal, creme de cassis, blackberry, and incense. Full-bodied, with striking intensity and flamboyantly rich, exuberant flavors bursting with extract, the St. Pierre has no hard edges, but rather massive, incredibly well-endowed blockbuster style, which should prove to be monumental. Give it 6-8 years to take on more definition and calm down, but this is a 30- to 40-year wine. Bravo!
VM 93 (7/2012): Bright medium ruby. Lovely violet lift to the aromas of cassis, blackberry, cedar, minerals and licorice. Supple and sweet on entry, then tight and vibrant in the middle, with strong acidity currently keeping the wine's redcurrant and mineral flavors under wraps. Most impressive today on the gripping, mineral-driven finish, which features substantial fine-grained tannins and terrific rising length. Hold this for 6 years, then enjoy it over the following 15.
WS 92 (3/2012): Dark and winey, with lots of graphite and espresso-tinged grip driving the dark plum, braised fig and steeped black currant fruit flavors. Features lots of tar and briar on the finish. Muscular but mouthwatering. Should unwind nicely in the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2025. 6,250 cases made. |
|
| Ch. Talbot |
2009 |
St. Julien (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,190.97 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 94 (2/2012): Aromas of cocoa powder and currants, follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a juicy, berry and chocolate aftertaste. Lovely polish to this. Try in 2018.
WA 91 (2/2012): Extremely sexy, soft, supple and opulent, with notes of cedar, herbs, incense and black currant fruit, this is a full-bodied, generously endowed but silky Talbot to drink now and over the next 20+ years. By any standard of measurement, this is irresistible.
WS 91 (3/2012): Dark plum and blueberry compote notes lead the way, followed by dark cocoa and tobacco. A fleshy feel runs throughout, with a stony edge adding length and balance on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2021.
VM 91 (7/2012): Bright ruby-red. Slightly rustic aromas of musky black raspberry, black cherry, dark chocolate, leather and game. Sweet, glossy and pliant, with lovely intensity and lift to the flavors of dark cherry, cherry pit and spices. Hints at the horsey quality typical of this chateau but boasts terrific enveloping fruit and noteworthy sweetness. Finishes with broad, plush tannins and excellent length. One of the top few Talbot vintages of the last 25 years. Stephen Tanzer.
NM 88 (7/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Talbot ‘09 displays a touch of gaminess on the nose of this wine that is well defined: blackberry, graphite and undergrowth. It is feral at first but calms down in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a delicate, understated graphite entry. I would have liked more weight, more density in the context of the growing season, although it retains fine length. Tasted January 2013. |
|
| Ch. Tertre Roteboeuf |
2009 |
St. Emilion (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,653.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (7/2012): Dark ruby-red. Ripe red cherry, raspberry liqueur, coffee and underbrush on the concentrated nose. Then rich, dense and suave on the palate, with a chocolatey ripeness to the red and dark fruit flavors. Finishes very long, with enticing juiciness and smooth tannins. This very rich, sweet Tertre-Roteboeuf is in the process of shutting down and actually offers less of the exuberantly rich sweet fruit it showed during the Primeurs, but it has the stuffing and backbone for a glorious mid-term life in bottle. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Ch. Troplong Mondot |
2009 |
St. Emilion (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,310.98 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 99 (2/2012): It boasts an inky/purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of mocha, chocolate, blackberry and cassis fruit, an unctuous texture, a full-bodied, viscous mouthfeel and a skyscraper-like, multilayered finish. This spectacular wine is nearly overwhelming in its richness, thickness and intensity. Once all its baby fat falls away, the terroir characteristics and additional nuances will emerge. This blockbuster, fabulous Troplong Mondot will benefit from 10-15 years of cellaring and keep for three decades or more. It is not shy either, bouncing over the palate with 15.5% natural alcohol.
JS 96 (2/2012): A wine, with a lovely velvety tannin structure with dark berries and espresso. Full body. Chewy, yet soft and caressing. Very long finish. Concentrated yet balanced. Try after 2020.
VM 95 (7/2012): Saturated medium ruby. Enticing aromas of cassis, coffee, mocha and licorice pastille. Hugely dense but fine-grained, offering a liqueur-like, exotic sweetness to its superripe dark fruit and chocolate flavors. For all its richness and baby fat, the wine's chalky underpinning prevents it from coming off as monolithic. Perhaps most impressive on the broad, extremely long, palate-staining finish, which features a boatload of ripe tannins and repeating sexy oak tones. This Outstanding Troplong-Mondot should drink well for the next 25 years. Stephen Tanzer.
WS 92 (3/2012): Very dark, with strong pastis-soaked blackberry and roasted plum notes leading the way, with layers of sweet spice, mocha and tobacco filling in on the finish. Rather lush and perhaps a touch too roasted in style for some folks, with enough just grip to keep it going. Best from 2013 through 2024. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 6,288 cases made.
NM 89 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Troplong Mondot ‘09 has an intense bouquet with macerated dark cherries, mulberry, dates and a touch of star anis. It is modern and rounded but still pure and sensual. The palate is medium-bodied with fine balance: grainy tannins with liquorice, plum and burnt toast. It seems just a little heavy handed, jammy and comparatively flat towards the finish. |
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|
2009 |
St. Emilion (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,524.97 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 99 (2/2012): It boasts an inky/purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of mocha, chocolate, blackberry and cassis fruit, an unctuous texture, a full-bodied, viscous mouthfeel and a skyscraper-like, multilayered finish. This spectacular wine is nearly overwhelming in its richness, thickness and intensity. Once all its baby fat falls away, the terroir characteristics and additional nuances will emerge. This blockbuster, fabulous Troplong Mondot will benefit from 10-15 years of cellaring and keep for three decades or more. It is not shy either, bouncing over the palate with 15.5% natural alcohol.
JS 96 (2/2012): A wine, with a lovely velvety tannin structure with dark berries and espresso. Full body. Chewy, yet soft and caressing. Very long finish. Concentrated yet balanced. Try after 2020.
VM 95 (7/2012): Saturated medium ruby. Enticing aromas of cassis, coffee, mocha and licorice pastille. Hugely dense but fine-grained, offering a liqueur-like, exotic sweetness to its superripe dark fruit and chocolate flavors. For all its richness and baby fat, the wine's chalky underpinning prevents it from coming off as monolithic. Perhaps most impressive on the broad, extremely long, palate-staining finish, which features a boatload of ripe tannins and repeating sexy oak tones. This Outstanding Troplong-Mondot should drink well for the next 25 years. Stephen Tanzer.
WS 92 (3/2012): Very dark, with strong pastis-soaked blackberry and roasted plum notes leading the way, with layers of sweet spice, mocha and tobacco filling in on the finish. Rather lush and perhaps a touch too roasted in style for some folks, with enough just grip to keep it going. Best from 2013 through 2024. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 6,288 cases made.
NM 89 (1/2013): Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Troplong Mondot ‘09 has an intense bouquet with macerated dark cherries, mulberry, dates and a touch of star anis. It is modern and rounded but still pure and sensual. The palate is medium-bodied with fine balance: grainy tannins with liquorice, plum and burnt toast. It seems just a little heavy handed, jammy and comparatively flat towards the finish. |
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| Ch. Trotanoy |
2009 |
Pomerol (3.0 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,657.99 |
1 |
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WA 98+ (2/2012): An absolutely prodigious wine, the dense purple 2009 Trotanoy exudes extraordinary notes of minerals, forest floor, sweet black currants and black cherry jam along with floral notes and graphite. Very full-bodied, with silky tannins, fabulous opulence and palate presence, this terrific wine should be at its best in 7-10 years and last for 20 or more. Think of it as a more concentrated, “bigger" version of the extraordinary 1998.
WS 98 (3/2012): This sports a dark, chewy side for now, with overt charcoal and roasted apple wood notes, along with plenty of smoldering tobacco flavors. The core is still a bit chunky as well, with roasted fig, blackberry paste and steeped black currant fruit. But the underlying structure is refined, despite its density, and the finish is very long and purely rendered. Best from 2018 through 2035. 2,250 cases made.
JS 95 (11/2011): Aromas of green and black olives with hints of dried dark fruits. Then cocoa undertones. Full bodied with lots of super fine and silky tannins and a long caressing finish. It is very subdued now. Very pretty. Try after 2020.
VM 93 (7/2012): Bright ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of black raspberry, mocha and iron, plus a whiff of beefsteak tomato. Then superripe, plush and seriously rich on the palate; began with a faint bitterness but grew fresher and more shapely with aeration. Really fills the mouth with dark cherry, underbrush and mineral flavors. Finishes with substantial talc-like tannins and terrific rising length. Ultimately very classy, but I'd cellar this for eight or ten years. |
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| Vieux Chateau Certan |
2009 |
Pomerol (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,125.99 |
1 |
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JS 100 (2/2012): This is a wine that had extreme intensity of electrifying tannins and acidity, with supercharged fruit. Full-bodied, yet agile and lively. It touches every taste bud on your palate. Chocolate mousse and fruit. I am lost for words. Legendary 1950 all over again. Try it in 2020.
WA 99 (2/2012): The 2009's nearly 14% natural alcohol, exquisite ripeness, and incredible complex bouquet of Asian spices, fruitcake, licorice, smoke, blackberries and black currants are to die for. A blend of 84% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses a viscous texture as well as a freshness and vibrancy that are remarkable given the wine’s weight, richness and potential massiveness. This extraordinary effort is one of the finest Vieux Chateau Certans made over the last sixty years. It will undoubtedly shut down in bottle, requiring a decade or more of cellaring. It should keep for 50 years thereafter. Proprietor Thienpont thinks it is a modern day version of the 1948.
WS 97 (3/2012): This shows gorgeous silk and polish, brimming with beguiling plum, cherry eau de vie and red currant fruit flavors laced with supple toasty vanilla and cedar hints. But in the background brews a darker side, with loam, maduro tobacco and iron notes, which take over on the finish authoritatively. This feels like it will get a lot bigger before it fully melds—and that will be a while. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2018 through 2035. 4,300 cases made.
VM 95 (7/2012): Bright medium-deep ruby. Musky aromas of red plum, blackcurrant, cocoa and tobacco leaf. Juicy, sappy and rather stylish on the palate, combining pepper and herb qualities with a subtle touch of sweetness. Not a hugely concentrated wine but amazingly well balanced and silky, and with insidious depth of flavor. Finishes with suave, spreading tannins. |
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