Remember 2009? Looking back, it was a year filled some remarkable events – Bitcoin was launched as the first cryptocurrency, "Miracle on the Hudson" pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger safely landed a disabled airliner on a NYC river and the iPhone 3 along with Windows 7 were released – but perhaps more memorable for wine lovers and collectors, the Wine Spectator declared the 2009 Bordeaux vintage "the best in years" rivalling the legendary 1961, while critic Robert Parker Jr. declared it "unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted," awarding no less than 18 wines with 100 pt. scores. Now entering their second decade of maturity, these top rated 2009 Bordeaux blends offer the "satisfying longevity" that is the litmus test of greatness according to Neal Martin of Vinous, drinking beautifully today and promising decades more of evolution and now available with the bonus of over 10 years of pristine cellaring at exceptional value pricing while they last.
Described as "a textbook growing season" by the Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss, 2009 began warm and dry with early flowering and a healthy, uniform crop set, followed by a perfect balance of sun and rain for optimal ripening and finishing with dry, sunny Fall weather that was perfect for harvesting. Recalling their "seductive intensity of fruit and the luscious textures" upon release, Neal Martin points out the remarkable evolution of the 2009's over the last decade, declaring "I love the 2009 Bordeaux vintage" calling it "a smorgasbord of gorgeous wines" that "fulfill the promise heaped upon them at birth." Inside Bordeaux's Jane Anson recently described 2009 as "a brilliant vintage which will be going strong in 20, 30, 40 years," confirming the renowned Bordeaux expert's instinct "to trust terroir will come through in the end." Describing 2009 as "one of the greats" ten years on, Jeb Dunnuck declared "I'm happy to report that the wines deliver the goods," already offering "serious pleasure," with the top rated blends from even the smaller appellations promising long lives ahead, "proving you don't have to break the bank to have a classic, age-worthy Bordeaux."
Remaining "one of the most exciting vintages of the 21st century" according to James Suckling, these top scoring selections from the legendary 2009 vintage "deliver enjoyment in spades" according to Neal Martin, many ranging from smaller appellation to First Growths priced well below their release price and promising "a long way to go," according to Jane Anson. From a triumphant, terroir-reflective vintage of classic Bordeaux complexity that will continue to evolve over time, collectors and Bordeaux lovers know to act quickly to take advantage of these great deals and secure their stash of these top scoring 2009 Bordeaux before they're gone.
Generous, juicy, a vintage that I am starting to often prefer - at least right now - to the 2010, but it is not quite pipping it for me at Grand Puy Lacoste. You'd be hard-pressed to argue with this wine though, it is delicious, balanced, full of blackberry, blueberry and raspberry fruits. Holds its line right through the mid palate without blinking, luscious dark chocolate-covered tannins, and manages to convey the savoury power of Pauillac even in such a warm year. 70% new oak, harvest 24 September to 7 October.
96 points, Jane Anson (Oct 2021)
I could have picked a first growth here – Pauillac has three – but this is a relatively good value fifth growth, making it accessible to more wine lovers, yet with so much signature Pauillac in its structure and flavours of pencil lead, liquorice, cassis and mint. On deep gravel terroir that’s made for Cabernet Sauvignon, and family owned by François-Xavier Borie and his daughter Emeline. Typically you wait for 10 years before opening classified Pauillac, or even longer in very structured vintages such as 2010 – but 2009 was a warm, generous year and is tasting great already. 96 points, Decanter (Apr 2021) I loved the 2009, and like most 2009s, it has a ripe, sexy, yet still classic style that's evolving gracefully, with ample darker currant and black cherry fruits as well as tobacco leaf, cedar pencil, truffly earth, and spice box-like nuances. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, with plenty of mid-palate depth and tannins, it's going to continue drinking brilliantly for another two decades. It needs an hour in a decanter if drinking any time soon.
95 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Nov 2021)
The 2009 Grand Puy Lacoste is one of the great vintages from this estate in the modern era. It storms from the glass with scents of blackberry, undergrowth, cedar and mint, retaining the classicism of GPL. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious with a gorgeous, lithe, graphite infused finish that lingers in the mouth. Bon vin. Tasted blind at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting.
95 points, Neal Martin, Vinous (Mar 2019)
Dark and delicately spicy this a very complete medium-full bodied 2009 that's not a jot too ripe or too firm. Beautiful balance through the long polished finish. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)
95 points, James Suckling (Mar 2019)
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