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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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)

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)

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

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