2009 - Chateau Rieussec Sauternes
"The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001." -Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, 95-97 pts.
"Lemon peel and pear tart on the nose. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with good acidity, lemon meringue flavors and a spicy finish."
Wine Spectator, 92-95 pts.
$40.50/375ML btl
2009 - Chateau Rol Valentin Saint Emilion
"Licorice and tar, with hints of ripe berry. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and dense tannins. Yet it's all in near-perfect harmony. This has a new owner and it's even better."
Wine Spectator, 94-97 pts.
2009 - Chateau Rollan de By Medoc
"Proprietor Jean Guyon and consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud continue to produce a wine that over-performs its humble pedigree. The dense blue/purple-tinged 2009 boasts abundant amounts of blueberry and black currant fruit intermixed with graphite and forest floor notes. Full-bodied, rich, and pure, it is ideal for drinking during its first decade or life." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.
"Shows tobacco and berry aromas, with plenty of new wood. Full-bodied, with loads of ripe fruit and a juicy finish."
Wine Spectator, 88-91 pts.
$19.00/750ML btl
$228.00/case of 12
2009 - Chateau Senejac Haut Medoc
"Certainly the best wine I have ever tasted from Senejac. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, oodles of black currant fruit are intermixed with some licorice, underbrush, and foresty notes. Great fruit, a sumptuous, fleshy texture, and plenty of succulence and length make for a big, rich, nicely textured wine to drink over the next decade." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 89-91 pts.
$16.00/750ML btl
$192.00/case of 12
2009 - Chateau Sigalas Rabaud Sauternes
"The Sigalas-Rabaud has a well defined nose: grapefruit, nectarine, honey and lime, much more primal than some of the other 2009s. The palate is very well balanced with excellent acidity: apricot, honeysuckle, a touch of orange zest and then vibrant white peach bursting across the finish with lime flower and lemongrass on the aftertaste. Wonderful persistency, power and freshness. Without question: the 2009 is the best Sigalas-Rabaud that I have tasted and this nectar comes highly recommended." -Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, 95-97 pts.
"Vanilla spice and honey aromas follow through to a very sweet, full-bodied palate, with a spicy and fruity finish. "
Wine Spectator, 92-95 pts.
$25.50/375ML btl
2009 - Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan
"An opaque purple color is followed by an explosive nose of graphite, black currants, licorice, incense, and a hint of black tea. The wine hits the palate with extraordinary density, unctuosity, and richness, yet it never comes across as heavy or overbearing. Deep and full-bodied with sensational concentration as well as remarkable purity and precision, this brilliant wine possesses the high, but sweet tannins that are a hallmark of the vintage, and exceptional delicacy allied to massive power and richness ... a rare combination indeed. This prodigious effort should drink well for 30-40 years. Bravo!" -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 96-98+ pts.
"Clean. Blackberry and lightly toasted oak with coffee and cedar. Full-bodied and a very, very powerful structure. Blockbuster. Massive and dense, yet remains agile. A triumph for this estate."
Wine Spectator, 95-98 pts.
2009 - Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan
"An opaque purple color is followed by an explosive nose of graphite, black currants, licorice, incense, and a hint of black tea. The wine hits the palate with extraordinary density, unctuosity, and richness, yet it never comes across as heavy or overbearing. Deep and full-bodied with sensational concentration as well as remarkable purity and precision, this brilliant wine possesses the high, but sweet tannins that are a hallmark of the vintage, and exceptional delicacy allied to massive power and richness ... a rare combination indeed. This prodigious effort should drink well for 30-40 years. Bravo!" -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 96-98+ pts.
"Clean. Blackberry and lightly toasted oak with coffee and cedar. Full-bodied and a very, very powerful structure. Blockbuster. Massive and dense, yet remains agile. A triumph for this estate."
Wine Spectator, 95-98 pts.
2009 - Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan
"An opaque purple color is followed by an explosive nose of graphite, black currants, licorice, incense, and a hint of black tea. The wine hits the palate with extraordinary density, unctuosity, and richness, yet it never comes across as heavy or overbearing. Deep and full-bodied with sensational concentration as well as remarkable purity and precision, this brilliant wine possesses the high, but sweet tannins that are a hallmark of the vintage, and exceptional delicacy allied to massive power and richness ... a rare combination indeed. This prodigious effort should drink well for 30-40 years. Bravo!" -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 96-98+ pts.
"Clean. Blackberry and lightly toasted oak with coffee and cedar. Full-bodied and a very, very powerful structure. Blockbuster. Massive and dense, yet remains agile. A triumph for this estate."
Wine Spectator, 95-98 pts.
2009 - Chateau Sociando Mallet Haut Medoc
"Ferocious tannins are not unusual for Sociando Mallet, but I was surprised that in a vintage that produced exceptionally tannic, but ripe wines, the Sociando Mallet tannins were atypically austere. Nevertheless, the wine boasts huge concentration along with an inky/purple color, a full-bodied, powerful palate, and a long finish. Excellent purity, density, and minerality are present in this cuvee, and it is capable of lasting 30-40 years." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 90-92 pts.
"Love the nose of currant and mineral, with hints of mint. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a medium finish. Tannic. Maybe too much. But I think it's going to come out excellent."
Wine Spectator, 89-92 pts.
$38.50/750ML btl
$462.00/case of 12
2009 - Chateau Saint Pierre Saint Julien
"Unbelievably powerful, rich, and impressive, this may be the finest St.-Pierre ever made. An inky/purple color is followed by notes of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and forest floor, a layered, full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel, perfect balance, and extraordinary richness, purity, and unctuosity. This great St.-Julien should hit its peak in 7-10 years, and last for 30-50. Bravo!" -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, 94-98 pts.
"Sultanas and subtle spices on the nose. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and excellent fruit concentration. Long and succulent. Stylish stuff."
Wine Spectator, 91-94 pts.
$68.25/750ML btl
$819.00/case of 12
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