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B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
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. |
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The nose is out of this world, with lilacs, currants, blackberries, and blueberries. Full-bodied, with super silky tannins and savory fruit and amazing flavors of fine leather, blueberries, and sandalwood. The quality of the tannins are amazing, with creamy texture and bright acidity on the end. Such classic and classicism. Delicacy. Lasts for minutes on the palate. This is 13.2% alcohol. Best Margaux in bottle yet…will 2010 be as great? Try it in 2020.
100 points, James Suckling (Mar 2012)
Power and enveloping aromatics from the first moment, this is bursting with pleasure, and so signature Margaux. Impossible not to love the depth and the spice that comes through from the first moment, with spirals of sandalwood, violets, crushed raspberries and cassis. Enticing and generous, and totally delicous. Still young, very much in it primary fruit phase, but you can begin to drink this now, such is the vibrancy of the tannins, but it will deliver for many decades to come. Torreified, smoked coffee bean and campfire notes overtake after half an hour in the glass. 100% new oak. 31% of production win the 1st wine, with the same high level of Cabernet Sauvignon as in 2005. Paul Pontallier director in these years, and this continues to set out a benchmark for the property, as it has every time I have tasted it.
100 points, Jane Anson (Aug 2022)
A brilliant offering from the Mentzelopoulos family, once again their gifted manager, Paul Pontallier, has produced an uncommonly concentrated, powerful 2009 Chateau Margaux made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Medocs, the alcohol here is actually lower (a modest 13.3%) than most of its siblings-. Abundant blueberry, cassis and acacia flower as well as hints of charcoal and forest floor aromas that are almost Burgundian in their complexity are followed by a wine displaying sweet, well-integrated tannins as well as a certain ethereal lightness despite the wine's overall size. Rich, round, generous and unusually approachable for such a young Margaux, this 2009 should drink well for 30-35+ years.
99 points, Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate (Issue # 199 - Dec 2011)
A massive wine for Margaux, packed with tannins and ripe fruit. It has more Cabernet Sauvignon than usual, giving intense black currant flavors with enticing acidity balanced by the sweetness of the fruit. Ripe swathes of this opulent fruit are also elegant and structured.
98 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Feb 2012)