2009 was a year that produced some of Bordeaux’s finest wines to date.  Robert Parker, the world’s most influential wine critic, tasted the wines from barrel and described 2009 as ‘unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted’. David Brice, co-founder of Wine Cellar, recently opened a handful of 2009s and notices the nuances of the wines some 5 years after their release. David gives each Bordeaux a rating out of 20 points.

Château Arnauton, Fronsac: ‘What a big improvement since last tasted in October 2012! Deep, dark and shiny; lovely expressive nose and a lively, medium-bodied, concentrated palate with masses of mouth-coating fruit and a fine tannic grip. A real bargain.’ – David Brice, 17+

Château Olivier, Pessac-Léognan‎ Blanc: ‘Sparkling pale gold with a “green” tinge. Nose still quite rudimentary, needs more time, and lovely flavours developing. Sumptuous yet fresh and elegant with clean, mouth-filling acidity. Well concentrated, vigorous and long. Still a puppy? ’ – David Brice, 17½

Château Reynon, 1er Côtes de Bordeaux: ‘Lovely for what it is. Great colour, somewhat muted nose, a medium-bodied palate with good fruit purity and impressive tannins. An honest, structured claret providing good drinking for a song.’ – David Brice, 16

Château Tronquoy-Lalande, St Estèphe: ‘Glorious 2009 vintage! Beautiful deep, dark colour, beguiling dark lush fruit on the nose and palate. Fresh, plump and concentrated with ripe tannins. Not especially long but a really good drink now.’ – David Brice, 16½

Château Belle-Vue, Haut Médoc: ‘A sophisticated beauty with the wonderful deep 2009 colour, it looks so good, and it smells great – best nose of the 2009s tasted so far.  A medium-bodied, fresh, lifted palate with ample concentration and fine tannins. Elegant and balanced, very good.’ – David Brice, 17½

Château Lanessan, Haut- Médoc: ‘Good looking – as are all the 2009s – rather a hard nose leading to a rather severe palate with a clipped, dry finish.’ On tasting the same wine some 48 hours later David notes: ‘There is a much improved palate, in fact all round including the nose. Now a lovely, intense vigorous, quintessential Haut- Médoc with those linear, leanish but fine tannins and a very long finish… The message is “keep this wine” until 2019+ before tasting again.’ – David Brice, 16+

Clearly, the fantastic quality of this esteemed vintage is beginning to shine through.

View our full Bordeaux price list, including the 2009s .

 

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[Category: Blog, 2009 Bordeaux, bordeaux price list, Château Belle-Vue, Château Lanessan, Chateau Olivier, Château Reynon, Château Tronquoy-Lalande, Chateaux Arnauton]