We certainly don't have to remind peole how much has been said about the 2009 vintage in Bordeaux. If you have heard the quotes from Robert Parker such as "this is unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted" once, you've heard it many times. The 'boats' are starting to come in and it's the final leg of this 'greatest story ever told" for Bordeaux. It's showtime. If it is all about scarcity, they apparently don’t come too much rarer than this one . According to Wine Advocate, only 100 cases of Reserve de Louis 2009 were made (according to the chateaux's website it's 200 but that still isn't very much). The estate, formerly known as Rol de Fombrauge, was purchased by the late Thierry de la Brosse (also the proprietor of Paris bistro, L’Ami Louis, that has been written about many times by Robert Parker). The property is managed by the well respected Stephane Derenoncourt.
In 2009, yields were a tiny 18 hl/ha here because the vineyards got hit by hail during May. Made from 100% Merlot from a single hectare on the estate, Reserve de Louis sees a good dollop new oak. This is a big, lusty, modern Bordeaux with loads of black and dark red fruit, vanillan accents and style aplenty.
Given the rarity and the review, not to mention the prices in general for 2009 Bordeaux, Reserve de Louis 2009 is clearly a very shrewd acquisition for savvy buyers. Also on the slate today are a couple of other smart buys. Robert Parker calls the 2009 Poujeaux , "The finest wine I have tasted from Poujeaux over the last 33 years, the 2009 is the second vintage under the ownership of the Cuvelier family, who made the absolutely monumental 2009 Clos Fourtet." Finally, there's the Fonplegade 2009, the best one thus far for this St. Emilion property. One did not hear a lot about Fonplegade prior to American Steven Adams taking over and bringing in Michel Rolland, but they are doing fine work these days.
There's plenty of talk about how expensive this vintage is, too. True, there are some rather steep prices on the top three dozen wines. But these are values not only vis a vis other Bordeaux, but successful efforts from anywhere. Good hunting.
