Tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare have produced a wine with terrific fruit intensity, a moderately tannic structure, and hints of chocolate, cedar, spice box, and earth. Although not as big as I expected given the vintage, it is well-made and impressively endowed. Enjoy it over the next 12 years. (Tasted four times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The relatively new proprietor, Silvio Denz, has made his finest wine to date from this Cotes de Castillon property. A blend of 85% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that came in at 14% natural alcohol, it is a full-bodied, super-concentrated effort displaying excellent purity as well as lots of minerality and floral notes imbedded in black and blue fruits. The oak is totally masked, the tannins are prominent but sweet, and the wine is fresh and precise. A sleeper of the vintage, this beauty should drink well for 10-12 years. (Tasted four times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This 20+-acre vineyard, acquired by Gerard and Chantal Perse in 2001, is planted on a clay and limestone plateau. The 2009, a blend of 80% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, was cropped at 22 hectoliters per hectare, and possesses 14.2% alcohol. One of the top wines of the Cotes de Castillon, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as tremendous opulence, body, purity, and density, plenty of sweet boysenberry and blackberry fruit, noticeable, but subdued wood, full body, and an unctuous texture. It should drink well for 12-15+ years. (Tasted four times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This dark ruby/plum-hued, soft, seductive, round effort reveals lots of purity along with sweet cherry and mulberry fruit, and a medium-bodied, easy-going finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

Once again a sleeper of the vintage from this over-performing estate owned by the brilliant consultant Stephane Derenoncourt and his wife, Christine, the 2009 l’A was cropped at 34 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend was 70% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc. The natural alcohol came in at 14.5%. The result is an opaque purple-colored wine revealing an attractive smoky, blackberry, cassis, cherry, graphite, and ink-scented bouquet. Full-bodied, layered, dense, and pure, this is a beauty to enjoy over the next decade or more. It should be one of the great bargains of the vintage. (Tasted three times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Another excellent effort from this Cotes de Castillon estate, this 2009 from Juliette Becot is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc that tips the scales at 15.5% alcohol (the highest I tasted). The high alcohol is totally hidden because of the tiny yields (25.5 hectoliters per hectare) as well as the vintage character, which is one of great delicacy and freshness juxtaposed with unprecedented power and richness. A sleeper of the vintage, the 2009 Joanin-Becot possesses terrific opulence and layers of fruit and glycerin. This beauty should drink nicely for 10-15 years. Bravo! (Tasted four times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)