1 | Wine | 91 to 95, 2009 | Page 4

"Glass-staining ruby. Seductive aromas of blackberry and blueberry preserves, cherry-cola and rose, with a sexy incense note and a touch of allspice. Stains the palate with dark berry compote and spicecake flavors, with zesty minerality adding cut. Blends depth and vivacity smoothly, finishing with impressive clarity, a kiss of vanillin oak and lingering sweetness."

"The 2009 Endre offers up hints of sage, rosemary, wild cherries and tobacco, all supported by vibrant yet-well-integrated tannins. Deceptively medium in body, the 2009 boasts considerable structure and intensity to match its highly appealing mid-weight personality. Like many 2009s, today the Endre is a bit tight and in need of another year or so of bottle age."

"Saturated red-ruby. Currant, graphite, wild herbs, cedar and sexy oak on the nose, lifted by a floral topnote. A broad and very elegant midweight (I would not have guessed that it was carrying 15.2% alcohol), with lively cassis and floral flavors burnished by mellow oak tones. Lovely fine-grained, long cabernet with excellent lift." -Stephen Tanzer

"Purple in color, with a brooding bouquet, it is a dense, structured, rich wine with impeccable balance, volume, and length. It has the structure to evolve for 2-3 years but can be approached now. It, too, is a great value."

"The 2009 Signo Bobal (a blend of 90% Bobal and 10% Syrah) may be the finest Bobal-based wine I have ever had. It was bottled without fining or filtration after spending time in mostly French and some American oak. It boasts a dense purple color along with wonderful sweet, jammy strawberry and black cherry notes intermixed with floral, licorice, graphite and spice characteristics. This dense red reveals a terrific texture as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel, yet it is light on its feet. This amazing Bobal should drink well for 3-4 years." -Robert Parker

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 Estate is dark rich and intensely satisfying. Layers of dark fruit flow effortlessly from this big, textured Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2009 possesses gorgeous mid-palate depth and stunning overall balance, especially relative to other recent vintages. This is a super-impressive showing."

"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."

"The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines (1,500 cases produced) is a blend of 50% Grenache, a whopping 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah with the latter two components spending time in new oak barrels. All of the fruit comes from vines that are nearly 70 years of age. A great wine with an opaque ruby/purple color, sensational fruit intensity and notes of graphite, lavender, licorice, lead pencil shavings and subtle smoke, it is full-bodied, rich and powerful with low acidity and sweet, velvety tannins. It should drink well for 15+ years" - Robert Parker

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Fay Estate is a striking, radiant wine graced with layers of dark red fruit, flowers, spices and menthol. It is a generous, open wine with great depth and polish in its textured personality."