A front-end loaded, richly fruity effort, the 2009 d’Arsac exhibits lots of cassis, plum, and cherry notes intermixed with hints of forest floor and spring flowers. It is a medium-bodied, ripe, already delicious wine to enjoy over the next 10+ years. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

Following the lustrous 2000 and 2005, the 2009 is another terrific effort from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse. Tiny yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, 13.7% natural alcohol, and a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot have resulted in a wine boasting stunning minerality along with notes of flowers, blueberries, and black currants. Full-bodied with silky tannin, a tremendous opulence, and levels of density and richness never before seen at this estate, this brilliant d’Issan should age for three decades or more. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

2009 Chateau Dassault 90-92
Tasted at the Association de Crus Classé tasting at Grand Pontet. Lifted black cherry and blueberry fruit on the nose with good definition and freshness. Well integrated new oak. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins, harmonious, quite suave with lovely black cherry, blueberry and cooked meat flavours on the well defined finish. Very fine. Tasted March 2010.

Neil Martin, eRobertParker.com

  Wine notes

It’s not better than their brilliant 2005, but this 2009 is further evidence of just how much qualitative progress this large estate in Fronsac has made. Deep ruby./purple-tinged with loads of crushed rock, cranberry, and cherry notes, the wine has a creamy texture, medium to full body, and impressive purity and length. Drink it over the next decade. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The nose is rather taciturn at first, unfurling with tantalizing slowness: clear honey, pear, orange-blossom and apricot. Wonderful definition. The palate is not as powerful as others, but there is a tangible sense of minerality underlying the honeyed fruit, very focused and endowed with breathtaking definition and tension towards the vibrant finish.

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

The de Malle 2009 remains aromatically subdued, yet the palate is adorned with crisp pear and nectarine tinged on the entry with racy acidity that brings such vivacity. Quite linear, but maintaining good freshness from start until its lemongrass-tinged finish, it will hopefully gain more complexity by the time of bottling, by which time it may merit a higher mark. 

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

A superb effort from Destieux, which has been on a relatively hot streak over recent vintages, the opaque blue/purple 2009 reveals an exquisite nose of incense, spring flowers, blueberries, black raspberries, charcoal, and background oak. Dense, corpulent, and full-bodied with abundant power as well as a skyscraper-like textural impression as well as lots of silkiness, glycerin, and richness, this big, powerful, quasi-modern-styled St.-Emilion can be drunk over the next 15-20 years. (Tasted three times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Denis Dubourdieu has provided one of the genuine stars of the vintage with the Chateau Doisy-Daene, two, if you count his Extravagance. This has a very fragrant nose with apple blossom, lime leaf and a touch of honey. Very fresh and lifted...spring-like. The palate is very well balanced, not a powerful Sauternes but ethereally poised and focused, skipping blithely to an animated pear, honeysuckle and apricot finish. Very pretty, very complete and very outstanding. 

  Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

Less than 100 casks of the Chateau Doisy-Daene Sec were made this year, cropped in the first week of September, 100% Sauvignon sourced in equal measure from Cantegril and from Doisy-Daene. It has an extraordinarily fresh, jack-in-the-box nose with superb definition and minerality. Subtle hints of lime, a touch of pear and wet limestone. The palate is extremely taut with racy acidity, fresh green apple, quite sharp, it really electrifies the mouth with white peach towards the delineated finish. Excellent.  

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

The finest wine I have tasted from this estate in my 30+ - year career, the 2009 (64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot) from this hallowed vineyard in Leognan was cropped at 45 hectoliters per hectare and came in at 13% alcohol. It reveals an extraordinary, intense, pure, quintessential Domaine de Chevalier style, including silky tannin, dense plum, black currant, black cherry, floral, and graphite notes, terrific acidity, sweet tannin, and a full-bodied mouthfeel with no weight, but admirable precision and freshness. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt has coaxed out all the elegance and complexity at this great site. A future legend in the making, this could be the best Domaine de Chevalier produced over the last half century. It should drink well for 35-40 years. (Tasted four times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

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

The greatest La Dominique since the 1989 and 1990, the 2009 was fashioned by the brilliant duo of Jean-Philippe Fort (Michel Rolland’s top lieutenant) and Jean-Luc Thunevin (the bad boy of St.-Emilion). Made from 100% Merlot (which must be a “first” for this estate), and with 14.3% alcohol, this will be a thrilling wine to drink over the next 20-25 years. Dense purple-hued with loads of black raspberries, black cherries, truffles, earth, and spice, it is an opulent, viscous effort with extraordinary intensity, purity, and richness, and a superb finish of nearly 45 seconds. It will be drinkable young, yet is capable of lasting a long time. Bravo! P.S. It is good to see this 58-acre vineyard return to form after a somewhat listless period of performances. (Tasted three times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

Can the 2009 Ducru Beaucaillou be better than the brilliant 2000 and extraordinary 2003 and 2005? Purchasers will have to decide for themselves, but this compelling effort is one of the all-time great Ducru Beaucaillous. It is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that achieved 13.5% natural alcohol, and, remarkably, despite the fact that 90% new oak was utilized, not a hint of wood can be found in either the aromatics or flavors. This inky/purple-hued, unctuously textured 2009 reveals layers and layers of blue, red, and black fruits, and hints of licorice and spice box. Despite its substantial, massive size, it retains an elegant style, but will need 3-5 years of cellaring. It should last for 40+ years. (Tasted once.)  

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

2009 may turn out to be among the greatest vintages ever in the Medoc. The 2009 appears to be the finest Duhart Milon yet made. The Rothschild family has invested heavily in this estate over the last 20 years in order to upgrade the quality, and their investments have certainly paid off handsomely. A blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, the 2009's opaque purple color is followed by an extraordinary perfume of creme de cassis, violets, graphite, and subtle wood. This full-bodied, intense, voluptuously textured, pure, seductive wine seems more open-knit and opulent than the more structured Carruades de Lafite. Nevertheless, the Duhart requires 3-5 years of cellaring, and should drink well for 30+ years. Bravo! (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes