1 | Wine | 86 to 90, 2009, 375 ml

"Complex aromas of red and dark berries, Indian spices and violet, with slow-building smokiness. Taut and focused on the palate, offering lively bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that pick up weight with air. Juicy and nicely concentrated Cotes du Rhone with strong finishing punch and lingering spiciness."

"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

"The finest La Bernadotte made to date, this 2009 is an undeniable sleeper of the vintage... It reveals a dense purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of black cherries, black currants, charcoal, and spice. With layers of fruit, decent acidity, freshness, and precision, and an opulent, fleshy, succulent style, it should drink easily for a decade or more." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.

"Blueberry and flowers, with hints of sweet tobacco on the nose. Full-bodied, with polished and silky tannins and a long, juicy finish. Best ever from here." 90-93 pts.

"The 2009 Gewurztraminer Reserve "Late Harvest Cluster Select" is quite sweet, laced with apricot and peach notes, and lots of sugar. With a little air, there was finally a little acidity noticeable, but the wine did flatten pretty fast and thin. This is hard to resist on some levels, but it could use a bit more focus and penetration. While these always have the potential to age, considering what they are and what they are intended to be, I like to be conservative in drinking windows as I find they often show best young."

"Saturated ruby. Rich and smoky on the nose, with powerful aromas of ripe cherry and mocha, along with a hint of espresso. Fleshy and round, with ripe cherry and dark berry flavors and a hint of cracked pepper. Finishes with a velvety, smooth texture and a touch of lingering bitterness."

"Bright red. High-pitched aromas of strawberry and raspberry, with complicating notes of dried rose and Asian spices. Lively and precise on the palate, with gently sweet red fruit flavors and a touch of rose pastille. The floral and spice notes repeat on the gripping, persistent finish."