June 01, 2012
There's always a lot of 'futures' offerings being hurled about at this time of year. But this year, the most exciting vintage in terms of quality, 2009, is actually starting to arrive. This list is not 'futures'. These are 'heres', as in actually inside the building. Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate called 2009, "... unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted." We'll be sending out updates from time to time as more shipments of this monumental vintage hit the floor. So if you have been waiting until the wines get here to get involved, or want to add to your existing positions, it's time. Some of these are limitied, good hunting. We have provided the Wine Advocate's 'opening statement' on the 2009 Bordreaux below.
From Robert Parker: "If readers go back and read Issue 188 (April 2010), my barrel tasting report on the 2009s was titled “Once Upon A Time – 1899, 1929, 1949, 1959, 2009.” In it, I suggested that many châteaux had made the finest wines that I had tasted in over 32 years of evaluating Bordeaux vintages. After spending nearly two weeks there at the end of January, this is unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted. Of course, 2010 is not yet in bottle, and it is going to be another fascinating vintage. However, it will not have the early charm, appeal and opulence that the 2009s already possess. What was clear in the tastings from the bottle (and most of the wines except for the first growths and a few other wines were tasted two, three and sometimes even four different times) is the remarkable consistency of the vintage. Obviously the classified growths have produced extraordinary wines, but what is so striking about 2009 – and I haven’t really seen this kind of excitement since 1982 – is the quality of the cru bourgeois and the petits vins and generic Bordeaux that are available..."
James Molesworth writes in Wine Spectator: "This has good vivacity and cut, offering a range of linzer torte, black currant, tar, alder and singed iron notes, with a long, racy graphite edge on the finish. Shows excellent range. Should unwind nicely in the cellar. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2020."
James Suckling writes: "Blueberry with cherry character and hints of fresh herbs. Medium to full body, with firm tannins, and a clean finish. Better in 2016."
Thomas Matthews writes in Wine Spectator: "This muscular red shows roasted plum, beef and earth flavors on a broad frame. There's good concentration, with enough acidity to keep the finish fresh. Drink now through 2018. 1,165 cases made."
From The Wine Advocate: "One of the most distinctive wines made in Bordeaux, Le Dome has one of the highest percentages of Cabernet Franc of any claret I can think of. Composed of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot, it exhibits a certain delicacy and elegance (due to the Cabernet Franc component) in addition to resounding power, concentration, depth and multidimensional personality. Black/purple to the rim, it offers strikingly intense notes of spr... read more
From Wine Advocate Feb. 2012: "A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 7% petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the wine tips the scales at 14+% alcohol. Dense ruby/purple, with notes of blueberry pie interwoven with charcoal, licorice, some chalky crushed rocks and a distinctive floral note, the wine is succulent, unctuously textured, and fleshy, with low acidity and layers of fruit. A sensational effort from this cru bourgeois, it should drink well for 15-20 more years... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The 2009 is a strong effort from this American-owned property situated on the lower hillsides of St.-Emilion where the soils are a mixture of gravel, clay and decomposed limestone. A dense purple color is followed by copious black fruit aromas (plums, blackberries and figs) intermixed with hints of graphite, chocolate and wood smoke. Full-bodied, substantial and large-scaled with intense fruit, terrific purity and a modern style, this b... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The basic Fontenil (95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) has a deep bluish purple color and relatively hefty alcohol at 14.5%, but it is not noticeable in this full-bodied, layered, opulent wine, with lots of black raspberry fruit intermixed with some blueberries and crushed rock. Both of these wines have a good 10-15 years of potential in a fine cellar. Two of the best wines from Dany and Michel Rolland are these vintages of Fontenil ... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "This is a beautifully voluptuous Pomerol, with loads of black cherry liqueur intermixed with hints of cola, mocha, white chocolate and mulberries. Elegant yet plump and corpulent, this opaque ruby/purple wine is fleshy, succulent, hedonistic and satisfying on all levels – the pleasure senses as well as intellectual ones. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. This wine is made by Jean-Luc Thunevin."
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "A blend of 70% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has an opaque purple color and a sweet nose of vanillin, roasted coffee beans, chocolate and kirsch liqueur intermixed with blacker fruits such as cassis. It is rich, full-bodied, moderately tannic, but low in acidity and quite heady and powerful (15% natural alcohol). This impressive wine is a big, back-strapping effort to drink over the next... read more
James Suckling writes: "The aromas of sweet tobacco and ripe fruit are so attractive. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a juicy, fruity finish. Long finish. A pretty and delicious wine already. Best in 2015."
James Molesworth writes in Wine Spectator: "A well-structured version, with a spine of charcoal and graphite supporting the dark, fleshy blackberry, fig paste and mulled black currant fruit. Offers a racy edge, with flickers ... read more
Big time vintages tend to bring some new players to the fore and we have to admit we had not seen this chateau before reading about it in Wine Spectator (Nicely toasty, with vanilla and espresso notes up front, but the core of raspberry, blackberry, and boysenberry fruit rushes in behind it, with a long, licorice-filled finish. Should settle in nicely. Stephane Derenoncourt consulting here...90 pts). This northern Medoc is 85% Merlot/15% Cab.
From Wi... read more
Even if you have heard of Chateau Lyonnat, which in itself means you are pretty immersed in the Bordeaux scene, you would not have seen this before as it is the debut for this cuvee made from 100% Merlot. From the satellite appellation Lussac-Saint-Emilion, it definitely sports flashy oak notes and exudes that ‘garage wine’ chocolate/coffee/toast sheen around a solid middle of dark plum and mulberry fruit. The estate itself is 52 hectares (about... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "Tremendously underrated from barrel several years ago, the 2009 Les Gravieres is the best wine proprietor Denis Barraud has ever produced. Yields were not terribly low at 38 hectoliters per hectare, but this wine (made with 100% Merlot and finishing at just under 14% alcohol) has a spectacular, even flamboyant nose of pen ink, graphite, blackberry and black currant liqueur along with hints of subtle smoke an... read more
From Wine Spectator - Rich and muscular, with exotic roasted spice, braised fig and warm raspberry confiture notes that are supported by a broad baseline of dark cocoa, tar and freshly brewed espresso. Not shy about its modernity, but everything is in place. Just needs to settle in with cellaring. Best from 2015 through 2030.
From the Wine Advocate: "Although the 2009 Pape Clement may not be as sublime as the 2005 or 2000, but it is very close to thos... read more
James Suckling writes: "Blueberries, minerals, flowers and sandalwood on the nose. Full body, with chewy tannins and fresh fruit and citrus aftertaste. Beautiful polish to the wine. Best in 2018."
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The soft, sexy 2009 exhibits a dense plum/purple color along with a big, sweet bouquet of raspberries, black cherries, black currants, smoke and forest floor. Opulent and round with an attractive visc... read more
What a difference ownership makes. This consistent, solid Moulis has been a value star for years as well as the acknowledged ‘top dog’ in Moulis. But in 2008, the Cuvelier family (who also own Clos Fourtet, one of Robert Parker’s 100-pointers in 2009) took the helm and there is definitely a difference in this wine’s breeding and presence. The blend here is 50% Cabernet, 40% Merlot and the balance Cab Franc... read more
From Wine Advocate Feb.2012: "Dense ruby/purple, with an unctuously sweet kiss of blackberry jam intermixed with raspberries, cherries, licorice, incense and forest floor, the complex aromatics are followed by a thick, juicy, succulent, full-bodied style of wine that over achieves at all levels – aromatically, texturally, and in flavor intensity. Drink it over the next decade.
Like its stablemate Puygueraud, the 2009 La Prade is a sleeper of... read more
James Suckling writes: "Soft tannins with lovely ripe berry fruit and hints of cream. Full and rich with an attractive combination of alcohol, freshness and structure. Better in 2016. But hard to wait."
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "A big, sweet, ripe nose of raspberry jam interwoven with white flowers, blueberries, kirsch and some subtle oak and camphor is followed by an intensely concentrated yet silky textured, full-bodie... read more
James Molesworth writes in Wine Spectator: "This is quite ripe, with a big core of linzer torte, cassis and blackberry fruit, but well-supported by graphite and melted licorice notes. Offers ample breadth and depth, with honest grip through the finish. A rather polished style for a Pessac. Should settle in nicely with mid-term cellaring. Best from 2013 through 2020. 5,000 cases made."
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "Deep ruby... read more
