This outstanding l’Arrosee is consistent with the Burgundian style that this terroir routinely produces. Never massive, at its best it offers intense flavors of kirsch, raspberry, crushed rock, and spice box. The full-bodied flavors are ethereal in their delicacy. Full, but stylish, precise, intense, and never heavy, this beauty can be drunk early or cellared for two decades or more. (Tasted three times.)

  Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

There are probably around seven casks of the 2009 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daene, although that may decrease a little after racking. An equal blend of Semillon and Sauvignon, it delivers a record 220gms residual sugar and yet still exudes astounding minerality and precision, with touches of clear honey, frangipane and cold wet stones. The palate is full-bodied with a mellifluous texture, perfect acidity to slice through that rich botrytized fruit, stunning balance, citrus peel, apricot, Clementine, lemon curd and a hint of ginger. With awesome length, leaving that tingling sensation akin to Szechuan pepper, this wine truly lives up to its name.   

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

A very strong effort, this attractive Pomerol offers up plenty of jammy black fruits intertwined with herbs, spice, and oak. Medium to full-bodied with no hard edges and a lush finish, it should be enjoyed over the next decade. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The second wine, the 2009 La Dame de Montrose, is an amazing blend of 82% Merlot and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. Voluptuously textured, super juicy, and sexy with intense blue and black fruits, decent acids, and silky tannin, this 2009 is already irresistible, and should keep for 10-15+ years. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

One of the old, historic vineyards in St.-Emilion, owned by a family that goes back to the 1400s, this wine has gone from strength to strength over the last decade. Cropped at 33 hectoliters per hectare in 2009, during a harvest that took place between September 29 and October 9, the final blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc will never produce a massive wine, but rather one of great elegance. The difference in 2009 is that this wine also has compelling intensity of fruit, and more opulence and viscosity than usual. At 13.5%, the alcohol is relatively modest compared to what many St.-Emilions achieved in this vintage. Dense purple, with terrific purity and a thickness without heaviness, black cherry, black currant, and super-concentrated cranberry and kirsch notes as well as hints of spring flowers and minerals are all present in this medium to full-bodied wine. It also possesses fabulous purity, texture, and transparency. Drink it over the next 30-35 years. (Tasted four times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

La Mission Haut-Brion has made so many great wines over the last 100 years, it would be stupid to say the 2009 somehow exceeds this estate-s great classics, such as 1929, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1955, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000, or 2005. Certainly it will take its place in the pantheon of all the great La Mission Haut-Brions ever made. There are 6,000 cases of it, made from a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. The natural alcohol hit 14.7%, which far exceeds the perfect wines of 1982, 1989 and 1990. Opaque purple in color, with an extraordinary nose of blueberry liqueur intermixed with camphor, charcoal, hints of burning embers and truffles, and loads of black berry and black currant fruit, the wine has sublime concentration and purity, a finish that goes well past 60 seconds, and not a hard edge to be found in this sumptuous, almost over-the-top, full-bodied wine of enormous power and massive density and richness. An immortal effort, it should drink well for 50-100 years! (Tasted once.)

Harvest started around September 9 at La Mission Haut-Brion, and finished almost a month later, on October 6. To get an idea of just how extraordinary all the wines from the Dillon family are in 2009, just consider how phenomenal the second wines are. 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This nearly 12-acre parcel on the clay and limestone plateau above Pavie Decesse has produced a killer succession of wines ever since the debut vintage of 1996. The 2000, tasted in preparation for a big article on that vintage, is just out of this world, as is the 1998, and remarkably, a very underrated wine, the 1997. The 2009 looks like another phenomenal effort. Is it better than 2005, 2000, or 1998? It’s too early to tell. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this wine tips the scales at an all-time high of 14.5% alcohol. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt, who makes this wine for Stephan von Neipperg, said the crop yields were 18 hectoliters per hectare. The wine is painfully rich, but at the same time retains an extraordinary elegance and freshness. A full-bodied wine with plenty of raspberries, red and black currants, and a cool minerality, the wine is full-bodied, powerful, yet at the same time possesses sweet tannins, a very layered mouthfeel, and dazzling purity and length. It will need 5-7 years of cellaring and will drink well for three decades. (Tasted four times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The best La Pointe I have yet tasted, the dense ruby/purple-hued 2009 exhibits plenty of mocha, espresso roast, black cherry, and kirsch aromas, and an exuberant, full-bodied, lush style. This is an undeniably appealing and hedonistic wine to drink over the next 10-15 years. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The 2009 La Tour Blanche is very primal on the nose with grapefruit, nectarine and apricot aromas. The palate is very well balanced, just a little oaky at the moment but with a very fine thread of acidity. Touches of fresh apricot, a hint of nougat, lime zest and white peach. Well balanced, linear at the front palate but voluminous and expanding across the mouth in every direction on the viscous, mineral-rich finish. There is so much potential here. Superb.

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

The 2009 Lafite Rothschild is a candidate for “wine of the vintage.” Although the 2003 was powerful (12.9% alcohol), the 2009 came in at 13.4% alcohol. It is a blend of 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. Only 45% of the crop went into the grand vin, which may be the most concentrated Lafite I have ever tasted. There is not a hard edge to be found in this inky/purple-colored wine displaying notes of charcoal, incense, black currants, and licorice. In the mouth, it represents a liqueur of black fruits offered in a remarkably full-bodied, incredibly elegant, lush style. Expansive, savory, staggeringly concentrated, and voluptuous as well as wonderfully precise with a hint of minerality, this sensational wine’s technical numbers are off the charts. Is this a replay of the 1959? Although it will be surprisingly approachable in its youth, this is a 50-100-year wine. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Perhaps the finest Lafon Rochet ever made, the purity, freshness, and sweet, rich, blueberry and boysenberry fruit and hint of pen ink that are found in this opaque purple-colored wine are impressive. Massive in the mouth, with freshness, delineation, and sweet tannin, it is a major sleeper of the vintage that should last for 25+ years. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

A slightly lighter, less powerful style of St.-Julien, but also less oaky than previous vintages have tended to be, the 2009 Lagrange offers attractive, fresh, red and black currant notes, and an elegant as well as corpulent attack and mid-palate. This wine does not have the weight of the “big boys” of St.-Julien, but it displays an endearing finesse, freshness, and purity. It is by no means a wimpish, understated wine, but in the context of the 2009 vintage, it is somewhat overwhelmed by many of its neighbors. Enjoy it over the next two decades. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

 I don’t think anyone could possibly rate this higher than the 2005, which is certainly the greatest wine made at this estate since 1982. However, this is another blockbuster, gorgeously aromatic, with notes of subtle oak interwoven with perfumed black, blue, and red fruits. Its opaque purple color, the gorgeous elegance allied to compelling intensity of flavor, and its full-bodied opulence make for the quintessential expression of this terroir. This is beauty that will be relatively approachable in 3-4 years and evolve for 20 or more years. (Tasted three times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The finest wine I have ever tasted from Lalande Borie, the 2009 (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc) displays lots of purity along with a boatload of black currant, raspberry, and black cherry fruit, no evidence of wood, broad, rich, deep flavors, and a velvety texture. It should drink well for a decade or more. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Generally a St.-Julien/Pauillac-like offering, the 2009 Lanessan seems more explosive and concentrated than prior vintages. I’m not sure it is the finest I have ever tasted, but it boasts a dense purple color as well as copious creme de cassis, cedar wood, underbrush, and spice notes. Beautiful opulence, silky tannins, and a long finish suggest this sleeper of the vintage will drink well for 2-3 decades. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

I found the 2009 Langoa Barton to be so painfully extracted, excruciatingly tannic, powerful, and backward that I wrote it “should be forgotten for 15 years, and may have some charm in 30-40.” There is no doubting its level of concentration and massiveness, but, wow, proprietor Anthony Barton has sure pushed the extraction, producing a wine for our children’s children. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Juicy red currant with subtle smoked herbs, truffle, and spice box jump from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. Possessing silky tannins, seductive, ripe fruit with an opulent texture and no hard edges, but serious tannin lurking behind the wealth of fruit and glycerin, this is another classic Pessac-Leognan that can be drunk young or cellared for 20-25 years. (Tasted three times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Midnight oil? Dense black purple to the rim, the 2009 Lascombes has enormous concentration, with loads of graphite, blackberry, and blueberry notes as well as hints of pen ink and truffle. The wine is super-intense, full-bodied, fleshy, and rich. This is another wine that will compete with the 2005, which is certainly the best Lascombes I have ever tasted. (Tasted three times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The 2009 Latour has off the charts concentration in addition to the highest level of tannin ever measured at the estate. The final blend was somewhat unusual in that it consists of 91.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.7% Merlot, and clocked in at 13.7% alcohol (even higher than the 2003). Possibly a 100-year wine, it boasts an inky/black/purple color as well as an extraordinary perfume of super-intense blue and black fruits, graphite, and a liqueur of rocks-like minerality. Enormously full-bodied yet at the same time incredibly fresh, vibrant, and precise, it coats the mouth, and builds incrementally to skyscraper-like texture, and a whopping finish that lasts over a minute. This remarkable wine reveals a certain accessibility already, yet one senses that it will be even richer, more nuanced, and fuller by the time it is bottled in mid-2011. A monumental wine from a monumental vintage in the Medoc, this is our children's children's children's elixir. (Tasted once.)

There is no doubting that Director Frederic Engerer and owner Francois Pinault are thrilled with what they have accomplished at Latour. These three wines are hugely different in price, but all are extraordinary.

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The best wine I have ever tasted from this estate, the oak seems to have been subdued, or maybe it is just that the fruit level is kicked up so high that the oak is not noticeable. That is certainly a characteristic of 2009. Dense purple in color, with hints of graphite, cigar box, creme de cassis, and subtle barbecue smoke, the wine is loaded, rich, opulent, medium to full-bodied, and a beautiful model of a wine that makes a few concessions to the modern style of Bordeaux but retains its Graves personality totally intact. It should drink well for 20-25 years. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

A tiny production (300 cases of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) from a site near the limestone/clay soils of Clos Fourtet, this is a single vineyard offering from proprietor Jonathan Malthus. The 2009 offers a liqueur of minerality intermixed with blackberry and black currant fruit, sweet, subtle smoke, and a full-bodied, rich mouthfeel. The natural alcohol hit 14.4% in this blockbuster. It should drink well for 15-20 years. (Tasted once.)

RobertParker, Wine Advocate (188)

The flagship estate of Jonathan Malthus, Le Dome may be the St.-Emilion with the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc (80% in 2009, blended with 20% Merlot). A consistent winner, 2009 may turn out to be the finest wine he has yet produced from this vineyard (although the 2008 will give it a run for its money). A distinctive wine of great length and elegance as well as unmistakable power and authority, the 2009 exhibits beautiful floral, black raspberry, cranberry, cassis, and subtle smoke aromas. Building incrementally in the mouth, the wine reveals medium to full body, an ethereal, nearly sublime style, sweet tannin, and a velvety, opulent finish. This superb St.-Emilion should drink well for two decades or more. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

I tasted this wine three times, and while Michel Rolland thinks it is the finest Le Gay yet made, I must disagree. For now, I think it comes in behind the 2008 and 2005. There is no question it is an outstanding wine, but I feel it lacks the concentration and intensity that put both the 2008 and 2005 in the superstar category. Yields of 25 hectoliters per hectare were extremely low, and the final blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc achieved 13.5% natural alcohol. A dark ruby (but not opaque) color is followed by aromas of sweet raspberries and black currants with dusty, earthy, loamy soil notes in the background. The wine is medium to full-bodied and rich, but much lighter and less intense than I expected given the vintage conditions. Three separate tastings over the course of 12 days were inconsistent. (Tasted three times.)

Robert Parker,  Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

From a 5-acre parcel cropped at 20 hectoliters per hectare, the 2009 La Plus La Fleur de Bouard (400-500 cases of 100% Merlot) boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of incense, graphite, blueberries, blackberries, ink, and spring flowers, awesome concentration, and sweet tannins. This is an enormously endowed, multi-layered effort of extraordinary intensity and length. It is a reference point for what can be achieved by a wine visionary in an appellation with little prestige. It should drink well for 20-25 years. (Tasted three times.)
Unquestionably a star of Lalande de Pomerol is the 50-acre estate of Hubert and Corinne de Bouard, who produce wines that fly well above their pedigree. Tasting through older vintages proves that these are the “real deal,” as they age quite well. One can even argue that the luxury cuvee, La Plus de la Fleur de Bouard, is one of the top twenty wines being produced in Bordeaux - a remarkable achievement given the appellation’s lack of status.

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

The best Le Prieure I have ever tasted, this 2009 is a hedonist’s dream. Huge red and black fruit aromas soar from the glass of this deep ruby/purple-tinged beauty. With velvety tannin, a full-bodied, opulent personality, and a knock-out finish with no hard edges, it is already impossible to resist, so enjoy it over the next decade or more. (Tasted three times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This behemoth possesses massive extraction, an opaque purple color, huge density, extreme tannins, and a nearly endless finish. Everything is there, but the highly extracted style and off the chart tannins ensures that no one over the age of forty will ever see this wine hit full maturity. Nevertheless, there is a lot to admire, and it-s good to taste a wine that will not be ready to drink for 30+ years. No compromise! (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

 The 2009 is one of the greatest Leoville Las Cases I have ever tasted, which is saying something given the many compelling wines that have been made at this estate. A final blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc has resulted in a wine that appears to be a hypothetical blend of the 1982, 1986, and 1996. Its 13.8% alcohol is perhaps the only thing that sets it apart from those vintages, which had nearly a full percentage point less. The high alcohol is barely noticeable in this 2009, which boasts an inky/purple color, monumental concentration, and great clarity and purity of creme de cassis, black cherry, spice box, graphite, and wet rock characteristics. Extremely full-bodied with a boatload of sweet tannin nearly concealed by the wine-s power, glycerin, and awesome fruit concentration, this intense effort never tastes heavy or tiring. This remarkable St.-Julien should be accessible in 3-4 years, and will evolve for 40-50. (Tasted once.)  

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

A tiny, single vineyard wine from Jonathan Malthus, the 2009 Les Asteries is the finest effort I have tasted among the nearly half dozen vintages offered to date. From a vineyard that was once part of Chateau Fonroque, it boasts a dense purple color, a big, sweet perfume of graphite, blueberries, and blackberries, full body, abundant glycerin, beautiful density and succulence, as well as a sumptuous, long (40-45 seconds) finish. Sadly, there are only 300-350 cases of this beauty. It should evolve for 20+ years. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

This ethereal, lighter-styled 2009 (no doubt because of the high Cabernet Franc content) is somewhat difficult to fully evaluate at this stage, but it exhibits beautifully sweet, pure, blue and red fruits (raspberries) in a medium-bodied format. The wine is sublime in its softness, finesse, and delicacy. It should put on weight and perform even better in a year or two, and should drink nicely for 15+ years. (Tasted three times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Perhaps the finest example ever made (including the extraordinary 1982) of Les Forts de Latour, the 2009 (61.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32.3% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot) is nearly as potent as the Pauillac at 13.5% alcohol. An opaque purple color is followed by notes of black fruits, crushed rocks, spring flowers, and hints of blackberries and smoke. Prodigiously rich and thick with an amazingly long finish of 50 seconds, this astonishing second wine will undoubtedly put on weight before bottling, and should last for 25-30 years. (Tasted once.)

There is no doubting that Director Frederic Engerer and owner Francois Pinault are thrilled with what they have accomplished at Latour. These three wines are hugely different in price, but all are extraordinary.  

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This is a solidly made, modern-style St.-Emilion from nearly eight acres of vineyards, with one parcel planted in 1901. Yields were just 25 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine hit 13.8% alcohol. Consultant Stephane Derenoncourt teams up with proprietor Michael Bortolussi to produce this rather showy, flamboyantly styled St.-Emilion with an opaque ruby/purple color, plenty of sweet plum, black currant, and black cherry fruit with some licorice, roasted herbs, and sweet oak. An intense 2009, this wine has good acidity, high but ripe tannin, and should drink well for 15 or more years. (Tasted two times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The highest levels of polyphenols ever measured at Lynch Bages (20% higher than any prior vintage) are found in the 2009, which achieved 13.4% natural alcohol, and a normal pH of 3.64. Composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it is the greatest Lynch Bages since the outstanding duo of 1989 and 1990. The black/purple-tinged 2009 exhibits a glorious perfume of graphite, black currants, and subtle smoke, powerful, thick, unctuously textured flavors, huge yet sweet tannins, fabulous purity, and a finish that lasts 40-45 seconds. Five to eight years of patience will be required, but this is a 30-40-year wine from this popular estate run by the affable and highly respected Cazes family. (Tasted three times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Notes of creme de cassis, loamy soil, graphite, and spice box jump from the glass of this dark purple-colored, medium to full-bodied Pauillac. Although somewhat monolithic, it appears to have plenty of depth, purity, and overall equilibrium. It should drink well for 15+ years. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes