1 | Wine | $10 to $20, 2009, 375 ml

"A very lush, flattering style, with creamed peach, pear and mango flavors backed by crème brûlée and toasted coconut notes. The long, ginger- and spice-filled finish drips with unctuous tropical fruit. A hedonistic beauty."

"Lemon peel, spices and honey on the nose. Full-bodied, with a dense yet elegant structure. Medium sweet, with a spicy finish. Stylish. Very well done."

"Deep purple, with a nose of subtle smoke, graphite, blueberry and black raspberry fruit as well as some spring flowers, in the mouth a touch of oak makes an appearance, but the wine is full-bodied, rich, inky and unctuously textured due to the high glycerin and alcohol that hits 14% plus. This beauty should drink well for up to two decades."-Robert Parker

"On the taut side, with mulled fig and black currant fruit framed with a thick layer of roasted tobacco and allied to an austere, chalky finish."

"This St.-Julien is actually made at Ducru Beaucaillou and is designed to offer exuberant cassis fruit with an unmistakable northern Medoc personality. The dense ruby/purple 2009 is delicious, with low acidity and lots of cassis, Christmas fruitcake and spice box. The wine is medium to full-bodied, has no hard edges, and is an attractive, velvety wine to drink over the next 7-8 years. A sleeper of the vintage."-Robert Parker