772 | Wine | 91 or higher | Page 165

"Smoke, exotic spices, chocolate, black cherry, and blueberry aromas set the stage for a plush, rich, hedonistic wine that will evolve for another 5-7 years and drink well through 2025+."

"Losing a little flesh in lieu of structure, this is nonetheless concentrated and fresh. Peach, pear compote and floral aromas and flavors flow gracefully, picking up a mineral note on the long finish. Great for fresh fruit tarts."

"Opaque ruby/purple, with a beautiful nose of charcoal, forest floor, and black fruits, the wine hits the palate with great intensity, a sumptuous texture, yet brilliant precision and purity. This is a superb wine that should drink well for 20-25 years."-Robert Parker

"The grand vin is the result of an increasingly strict selection process, with approximately 50% of the production going into the final wine and the balance used in the Croix de Beaucaillou. The 2009 may be the finest example of this cuvee I have yet tasted. Up-front, precocious and generous, it possesses a dense purple color, a big, broad, unctuous texture and abundant notes of creme de cassis and black cherry fruit intertwined with hints of wood smoke, vanillin and earth. This nearly viscous-styled wine can be drunk in 2-3 years or cellared for 15+."-Robert Parker

"Creamy and rich, with vibrant apple, ripe citrus, white berry and currant flavors that are focused and refined. Plush midpalate, with a lingering finish of ripe spice and mineral. Lusciously elegant."

"It possesses brilliant clarity on the nose with touches of oyster shell, citrus lemon, wet limestone and yellow flowers. The palate is supremely well-balanced with electrifying acidity on the entry, displaying subtle notes of apricot, lemon curd and quince that lead to a perfectly balanced finish."

"Wonderfully subtle, complex aromas of white flowers, acacia honey, minerals, nuts and mushroom, with musky and leesy nuances. Oily, rich and smoky but with terrific verve and lift. Quite substantial and chewy for a young D.P. but not at all heavy. Yellow plum and strong soil tones in the middle and on the palate-staining finish. Offers a rare combination of richness and finesse." Reviewed by Stephen Tanzer.

"Shows violet, cream, mineral, mint and blueberry on the nose. Full-bodied, with fabulous fruit and polished, velvety tannins. The finish lasts for minutes. The balance is wonderful. Deep and beautiful. Hard not to drink now."