A very strong performance by the superbly located estate which rarely lives up to its terroir, the dense purple-colored 2009 Vray Croix de Gay reveals notes of damp earth, forest floor, blackberry, and plum liqueur. Full-bodied and fragrant with superb fruit purity as well as a layered texture, it could turn out to be a true sleeper of the vintage and perhaps the finest wine they have ever made. Moreover, it should evolve for 15 or more years. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

One of the stars of Canon-Fronsac, this 30-acre vineyard is making some great wine, and the 2009 appears to be the finest they have yet produced. The Dutch owners brought in Stephane Derenoncourt as consultant, and the 2009 (98% Merlot and 2% Malbec) tips the scales at 14.5% natural alcohol. Full-bodied with an inky/blue/purple color it represents the essence of blackberries, black raspberries, cassis, licorice, crushed rocks, and subtle oak. The high alcohol and all evidence of oak aging are completely buried under the sheer concentration (in this case coming from low yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare). A big time sleeper of the vintage, it should age effortlessly for 25-30 years. (Tasted two times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The finest wine I have ever tasted from this estate, the 2009 exhibits a dense purple color, lots of caramelized black currant and cherry fruit, hints of espresso and earth, and a dense, plump, corpulent personality. It is ideal for drinking over the next 10-15 years. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

I don’t know what the 1961 Trotanoy tasted like in its youth, but the 2009 unquestionably surpasses the 1982 (which was the finest effort since the 1961) and eclipses anything made since. By far the greatest Trotanoy of my professional career, the 2009 boasts a dense plum/purple color as well as a meaty, earthy nose buttressed by enormous quantities of black fruits, cherries, and spice. Abundant glycerin, viscosity, purity, and elegance are all part of this massive, exuberant, powerful Trotanoy. One of the most prodigious wines of the vintage, it should come into its own in 8-10 years, and last 30-40 years thereafter. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

I tasted this wine four separate times, with three tastings extremely consistent, and one tasting showing slightly more noticeable and astringent tannin. Do I think it is going to be as prodigious as the 2005? No, but it is a compelling Troplong Mondot, and probably more approachable than the 2005 has been in its youth. This is a large vineyard, nearly 80 acres in size, and part of it had hail damage in May. They are late-harvesters, the Merlots were picked through October 10 and the Cabernet finished October 20, with very low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare, no doubt due at least in part to the hail damage. Alcohols on lots chosen for the grand vin are very high, between 14.5 and 15.5. The wine is inky purple in color, displaying beautiful creme de cassis, licorice, subtle smoke and graphite notes, enormous body, juicy, viscous texture, good vibrancy, a skycraper-like, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and a whopping long finish of 40+ seconds. This is a great wine, probably more hedonistic and voluptuous than the 2005, but ultimately a tiny notch below that virtually perfect Troplong Mondot, which still gets my nod as the best ever made. This wine should evolve for at least 30-40 years. (Tasted four times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The 2009 Tronquoy Lalande (a blend of 51% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot) boasts a dense purple color along with a beautiful bouquet of boysenberries, spring flowers, black currants, and a hint of ink, a full-bodied, supple, opulent mouthfeel, and a long finish. It should drink nicely for 10-15 years. (Tasted two times.)

This estate, which was acquired by the international telecommunications giant, the French-based Martin Bouygues, has produced their finest wines to date under the guidance of Jean-Bernard Delmas (who made every Haut-Brion between 1961 and 2003). Delmas, who was coaxed out of retirement to apply his enviable talents in St.-Estephe, is a master at attaining sweet tannins, which is always a challenge in this northern appellation. 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This has been one of the most reliable wines in Bordeaux over the last 30+ years, and I have enjoyed many vintages of it. It sells for a song, and the 2009 may turn out to be the best they have ever made. This inky purple-colored wine offers up notes of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and forest floor that seem to have more in common with a classified growth than a petite chateau. Medium-bodied, luscious, and rich, this is a beauty to drink over the next 10 years. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The finest wine made here since the 2005, the 2009 (a blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) was harvested between September 29 and October 22. Its dense purple color is followed by abundant aromas of camphor, charcoal, barrique, blackberries, and creme de cassis. Dense, structured, and full-bodied with high, but sweet, well-integrated tannins, and tremendous precision as well as freshness, this 2009 should evolve for 20-25 years. (Tasted three times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This is a big production cuvee of 15,000 cases from a vineyard whose terroir is not considered to be particularly good. Consequently, it is always fascinating to see how much character proprietor Jonathan Malthus is able to extract. The 2009 Teyssier possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as smoky barbecue notes intermixed with creme de cassis, black cherries, and earth. Ripe, generous, and medium to full-bodied, it should drink beautifully young yet age for 10-12+ years. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This is the most impressive Talbot since the 1982 and 1986. It reveals an opaque plum/garnet/purple color as well as knock-out aromas of black fruits, cedar, incense, licorice, and a Provencal garrigue-like character. Substantial, sexy, and seductive, it is almost slutty in its exuberance and ostentatiousness. It was a thrill to drink this loaded St.-Julien. It should offer irresistible drinking over the next 20-25 years. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

One of the outstanding successes of the 2009 vintage, this may surpass the superlative 2007. It has a more understated nose at the moment, but is very well defined with honey, white peach, orange peel and crushed stones. The palate has a viscous entry, is very well balanced, very powerful with great depth and effervescent minerality. Layers of botrytis layer across the mellifluous finish that is beautifully defined and sensuous. Fabulous. 

  Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

One of the outstanding successes of the 2009 vintage, this may surpass the superlative 2007. It has a more understated nose at the moment, but is very well defined with honey, white peach, orange peel and crushed stones. The palate has a viscous entry, is very well balanced, very powerful with great depth and effervescent minerality. Layers of botrytis layer across the mellifluous finish that is beautifully defined and sensuous. Fabulous. 

  Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

One of the outstanding successes of the 2009 vintage, this may surpass the superlative 2007. It has a more understated nose at the moment, but is very well defined with honey, white peach, orange peel and crushed stones. The palate has a viscous entry, is very well balanced, very powerful with great depth and effervescent minerality. Layers of botrytis layer across the mellifluous finish that is beautifully defined and sensuous. Fabulous. 

  Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

Ferocious tannins are not unusual for Sociando Mallet, but I was surprised that in a vintage that produced exceptionally tannic, but ripe wines, the Sociando Mallet tannins were atypically austere. Nevertheless, the wine boasts huge concentration along with an inky/purple color, a full-bodied, powerful palate, and a long finish. Excellent purity, density, and minerality are present in this cuvee, and it is capable of lasting 30-40 years. This estate is situated on some of the finest terroir of the Haut-Medoc, near Calon-Segur in St.-Estephe. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

One can’t say enough about what proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard have accomplished at this estate since 1990. Regrettably, I am old enough to remember how horrible the wines were before the Cathiards purchased the property. They have fashioned one of the most consistently outstanding wines, both white and red, over the last two decades, and their 2009 probably eclipses any previous performance. An opaque purple color is followed by an explosive nose of graphite, black currants, licorice, incense, and a hint of black tea. The wine hits the palate with extraordinary density, unctuosity, and richness, yet it never comes across as heavy or overbearing. Deep and full-bodied with sensational concentration as well as remarkable purity and precision, this brilliant wine possesses the high, but sweet tannins that are a hallmark of the vintage, and exceptional delicacy allied to massive power and richness ... a rare combination indeed. This prodigious effort should drink well for 30-40 years. Bravo! (Tasted five times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Tannic and backward, the 2009 has a promising nose of floral-infused black currants, licorice, and earth. Medium-bodied, restrained, and very pure, this mid-weight Margaux needs 2-5 years and will keep for several decades. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The Sigalas-Rabaud has a well defined nose: grapefruit, nectarine, honey and lime, much more primal than some of the other 2009s. The palate is very well balanced with excellent acidity: apricot, honeysuckle, a touch of orange zest and then vibrant white peach bursting across the finish with lime flower and lemongrass on the aftertaste. Wonderful persistency, power and freshness. Without question: the 2009 is the best Sigalas-Rabaud that I have tasted and this nectar comes highly recommended.

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

A sleeper of the vintage, this is the best wine I have ever tasted from this property. A dense purple color is followed by abundant meaty, black currant, black cherry, licorice, underbrush, and forest floor characteristics. Full-bodied, powerful, rich, and silky-textured, it will provide plenty of pleasure over the next decade. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Run by the Cordier family, with the vineyard managed by Alfred Tesseron’s team at Pontet-Canet, this is the first vintage from their biodynamically farmed estate, and it is certainly the best wine I have ever tasted from Senejac. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, oodles of black currant fruit are intermixed with some licorice, underbrush, and foresty notes. Great fruit, a sumptuous, fleshy texture, and plenty of succulence and length make for a big, rich, nicely textured wine to drink over the next decade. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This is the luxury cuvee from 7.5 acres in the La Bienfaisance vineyard. Yields were frightfully low in 2009, 19 hectoliters per hectare, largely because of the May 12 hailstorm that devastated a band of St.-Emilion estates. The final blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc has a whopping 14.8% alcohol, but it doesn’t show whatsoever, another characteristic of the concentration and density of fruit in 2009, combined with very sweet tannins and loads of freshness and vibrancy. Inky blue/purple., with notes of blueberry, graphite, espresso, and earth, this wine is full-bodied, opulent, dense, and richly textured. It should drink well for 15-20+ years. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This has been a fabulous wine over recent vintages, but I do not think many consumers have caught on. Of course, there is far less of this classified-growth St.-Julien than of any of the Leovilles, Beychevelle, Talbot, Gruaud Larose, or Branaire Ducru. Unbelievably powerful, rich, and impressive, this may be the finest St.-Pierre ever made. An inky/purple color is followed by notes of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and forest floor, a layered, full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel, perfect balance, and extraordinary richness, purity, and unctuosity. This great St.-Julien should hit its peak in 7-10 years, and last for 30-50. Bravo! (Tasted two times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (...)

  Wine notes

This great terroir has been under-exploited over the three decades of my professional experience tasting Bordeaux. From a 14-acre parcel on the famed Cote Pavie, the 2009 is the finest wine Saint-Georges has ever made. A deep ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of blueberries, black currants, and kirsch intermixed with hints of earth, crushed rocks, and spice. Medium to full-bodied with good precision, freshness, and length, it should drink well for 15-20 years. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

This great terroir has been under-exploited over the three decades of my professional experience tasting Bordeaux. From a 14-acre parcel on the famed Cote Pavie, the 2009 is the finest wine Saint-Georges has ever made. A deep ruby/purple hue is followed by aromas of blueberries, black currants, and kirsch intermixed with hints of earth, crushed rocks, and spice. Medium to full-bodied with good precision, freshness, and length, it should drink well for 15-20 years. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The best Rouget I have ever tasted, the 2009 displays terrific aromas of kirsch liqueur and loamy soil as well as a plump, fat, luscious personality. With sensational concentration and purity, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and an enormous fruit character, this beauty should drink well for 15 or more years. (Tasted three times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Proprietor Jean Guyon and consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud continue to produce a wine that over-performs its humble pedigree. The dense blue/purple-tinged 2009 boasts abundant amounts of blueberry and black currant fruit intermixed with graphite and forest floor notes. Full-bodied, rich, and pure, it is ideal for drinking during its first decade or life. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001.

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001.

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001.

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001.

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate Issue (188)

  Wine notes

The finest second wine they have made, the 2009 Reserve de Comtesse is composed of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. Flavorful and full-bodied with loads of texture and opulence, it offers up aromas of forest floor and black fruits. The surprisingly high tannin level is barely noticeable given the sweetness of the fruit and abundant glycerin. Nevertheless, the 13% alcohol is right in line with that of the Pichon Lalande. Drink the Reserve de Comtesse over the next 10-15 years. (Tasted once.)

Like most Medoc chateaux, Pichon Lalande began their harvest on September 22, and finished on October 7. 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Composed of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot, this large estate appears to have produced their greatest wine since the 1986. The alcohols came in at 13.9%, and the wine reveals extraordinary density, power, and richness as well as explosive fruit, and terrific acidity, intensity, and power. Yet it tastes like a crisp, delicate Margaux. Yields were 40 hectoliters per hectare. This outstanding 2009 should age nicely for 35-40+ years. (Tasted two times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

A masculine-styled, dense purple-colored 2009, this cuvee offers up scents of charcoal, asphalt, black currants, incense, and crushed rocks. This deep, medium to full-bodied, well-made Margaux is broader, richer, and more substantial than usual, with more alcohol as well as substance. The tannins are ripe and well-integrated. This is a 30-year wine. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Now owned by the proprietors of Cheval Blanc, the 2009 Quinault l’Enclos (composed of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits an opaque purple color, notes of licorice, incense, raspberries, and black cherries, medium body, elegant, stylish flavors, and no hint of oak. This is a beautifully made, pure, deep wine that continues to confirm what Dr. Alain Raynaud suspected when he bought this property in 1997. The naysayers all said this terroir was suspect, but that has been proven wrong by the wines that have been produced. This 2009 should drink well for 10-20 years. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

Beautiful floral-infused black fruits jump from the glass of this opaque ruby/purple-colored wine. Possibly richer, denser, and even more complete than the brilliant 2005 (although it is still too early to say that definitively), this is certainly a more opulent, succulent style of wine than even the 2005, which had surprising flesh for a wine from that vintage. The Right Bank consultant Stephane Derenoncourt has performed some magic here, as recent vintages attest, and the wines are often fairly priced as well. This full-bodied Prieure-Lichine should drink well for 20-25 years. (Tasted two times.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

The Cuvelier family that has done so much to resurrect Clos Fourtet purchased this estate that had long been the pride and joy of the Theil family. A large vineyard, and certainly the finest wine of the somewhat forgotten appellation of Moulis, the yields in 2009 were 40 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Soft, fleshy, and opulent, with lots of black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with hints of cedar and spice box, and an enticing texture result in a wine to drink now and over the next 10-12 years. It is a sleeper of the vintage. (Tasted once.) 

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

A sleeper of the vintage, the 2009 is probably the finest Potensac ever made, eclipsing even the stunning 1982. This blend, dominated by both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, hit 13.9% alcohol, but the pH is a normal 3.58. Dense, rich, and full-bodied with lots of freshness, the wine reveals abundant red and black currant fruit, a distinctive minerality, and a plush, full-bodied mouthfeel. It should drink well for 10-15+ years. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker,  Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes

I love this wine, which is made by the regisseur Tony Ballu of Clos Fourtet. You would have to have head your head buried in the gravel and limestone of St.-Emilion not to know that Clos Fourtet has been one of the superstars of the appellation for nearly a decade now. This blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (only 300 cases) was crafted from 34 hectoliters per hectare and had surprisingly modest alcohol for a St.-Emilion, 13.5%. Its terrific dense purple color to the rim offers up notes of wet rocks, blueberry, blackberry, spring flowers, and hints of charcoal and barrique. Opulent, even voluptuously textured, with terrific mouth-coating glycerin and an almost skyscraper-like texture, this is a seamless, beautifully rich, yet elegant (because of the freshness) style of St.-Emilion that should drink well for 10-15 years. It won’t make old bones. (Tasted three times.)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

The blend for the 2009 Pichon Lalande is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, somewhat unusual at this estate which usually has more Merlot in the blend. As stated previously, the Cabernet Sauvignon reached levels of ripeness and intensity of flavor in 2009 never seen before in Bordeaux! The final blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot and a pH of 3.8 combines the best of a vintage such as 1996, in terms of structure, freshness, and precision, with the best of 1982, in terms of opulence, power, unctuosity, and thickness. The opaque purple-colored 2009 exhibits an intoxicatingly intense nose of red and black fruits, subtle smoke, charcoal, forest floor, and a hint of flowers. Unusually full-bodied for a wine from this estate as well as unctuously textured, voluptuous, and incredibly pure and precise, this dazzling wine should be drinkable at an early age, and evolve for 30+ years. (Tasted once.)

Like most Medoc chateaux, Pichon Lalande began their harvest on September 22, and finished on October 7.

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188)

  Wine notes