772 | Wine | Pomerol, 2009

"This has suave toast, mulled spice, roasted fig and crushed plum and blackberry flavors, all gliding along with silky structure through the finish."

"It is certainly a good wine, with notes of chocolate, mocha and espresso as well as hints of mulberries and black cherries, but it is nowhere near the level of concentration the barrel sample had suggested. This blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc is medium-bodied deep plum/ruby in color, and best drunk over the next 7-8 years." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 89 pts.

"Lighter-bodied, with a racy edge to the Damson plum and bitter cherry notes, flecked with grilled herb and framed by judicious toast. A touch loose in the end." Wine Spectator, 88 pts.

"Their finest effort since 1982, Petit Village has turned out a beautifully generous, succulent, fleshy 2009 with loads of ripe plum, black currant, black cherry, mocha and subtle earthy undertones. Round, flamboyant, dense and rich, with low acidity, outstanding concentration and purity, and a long finish, this outstanding wine should drink well for up to 15 or more years."
-Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate - 91 pts

"This darker, toastier style delivers plush cocoa and plum sauce aromas and flavors to lead the way, liberally laced with notes of pain d'épices, fig and blackberry confiture. Fleshy edges build through the finish, with impressive grip. A property steadily on the rise."

"Clinet has been on a hot streak lately and the 2009 appears to be the greatest wine ever made at the estate, surpassing even the late Jean-Michel Arcaute’s monumental 1989. A blend of 85% Merlot and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc (12%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), this big Pomerol boasts an opaque, moonless night inky/blue/purple color in addition to a gorgeous perfume of blueberry pie, incense, truffles, black raspberries, licorice and wood smoke. Viscous and multi-dimensional with silky, sweet tannin, massive fruit concentration and full-bodied power, there are nearly 4,000 cases of this thick, juicy, perfect Clinet. It should drink well in 3-5 years and keep for 25-30."-Robert Parker

"A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc from this well-situated vineyard on the plateau of Pomerol, which is owned by Chantal Lebreton, this wine has 13.5% alcohol, somewhat low in this vintage, but it displays plenty of kirsch, sweet cherries and red currants along with some sandy/loamy soil and roasted herb notes in a very sexy, up-front, lush, medium to full-bodied style. There’s not a hard edge to be found in this La Croix de Gay, and therefore my feeling is that it should be drunk in its first 10-12 years of life."-Robert Parker