Volcanic Wine Awards | The Jancis Robinson Story

Seven more 2009 red bordeaux

Monday 24 May 2010
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Here's another small tranche of tasting notes on 2009 bordeaux, published as a substantial portion of the Bordeaux wine trade decamp to Hong Kong for Vinexpo Asia. See the Chinese fakery thread  and Lafite '09 grey market threads in members' forum for some possibly alarming news about wines that may be offered for sale there. 

Lafite may be being offered at £1,000 a bottle but the wines below will be available for modest three-figure sums per case and demonstrate that 2009 bordeaux is not all overpriced.

Red
Dark crimson.  Ripe, almost fleshy nose.  Positively plummy palate entry but lots of energy and life on the palate stops it being too much.  Worth watching this one.  Just fines itself down a little on the finish.   (JR)
Drink: 2014 – 2020
Red
Very dark crimson. Refined, rather sophisticated nose. Polished fruit with a notably dry (though not drying) finish. Not for the very long term perhaps but a confident performer. (JR)
Drink: 2015 – 2021
Red
This property is being converted to organic viticulture apparently.  Brilliant crimson.  Already quite a broad panopoly of aromas though not one of the most dense on the palate.  Very lively and vivacious – almost fizzes with excitement.  Still a bit chewy on the finish but exellent integrity. (JR)
Drink: 2015 – 2022
Red
Blackish crimson. Decidedly reserved on the nose.  Very dry start.  Pretty tough, though true to its appellation.  In classical mould and only for those in love with St-Estephe's rigour. (JR)
Drink: 2018 – 2026
Red
Smouldering blackish purple.  Quite a contrast to the austere Andron Blanquet tasted alongside – a sort of Carmen of a wine on the nose, and from St-Estephe! Possibly a bit too modernist for some tastes although it does all come to a fine, dry point, with absolutely masses of acidity, on the finish.  A bit of disjunction between nose and palate for the moment. (JR)
Drink: 2016 – 2023
Red
Purplish crimson. Polished and suave on the nose. Margaux indeed.  Well balanced  already – seems quite open and lush but not sweet or confected.  A very attractive drink for relatively early consumption.    (JR)
Drink: 2014 – 2019
Red
Dense and mossy on the nose.  Very concentrated and, at this stage, rather high in acidity.  There is a lot rammed into this.  I hope the balance is good enough for it to unfurl into something beautiful eventually.  Bone dry and a bit severe at this stage. (JR)
Drink: 2017 – 2024
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