Wine Advocate (96)

The 2009 Vosne-Romanee Les Beaux Monts bursts from the glass with dazzling fruit that covers every inch of the palate. Sweet dark fruit, spices, tar and leather are some of the notes that flesh out on the stunning, multi-dimensional finish. This is a dazzling wine endowed with tons of class and sheer pedigree. It is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029.

Vinous (94+)

Good deep ruby. Rich aromas of currant and graphite minerality. Lush, round and large-scaled, with strong rocky and mineral qualities adding interest to its very sexy flavors of black raspberry and spices. Dry, classic, powerful cabernet whose broad tannins are amazingly supple for Mount Veeder. Finishes subtle and extremely long. An excellent vintage for this bottling, which is from vines planted at 1,700 feet.

Vinous (94-96)

Deep red with ruby tones. Much more reticent on the nose than the Cros Parantoux, hinting at minerals and crushed rock. Sweet, dense and penetrating, with extremely backward flavors similar to the aromas. This isn't quite showing the treble tones of the Cros Parantoux but it's a bigger wine and may be even longer. Spreads out remarkably on the seriously tannic, ripe finish.

Vinous (94-96)

Deep red with ruby tones. Much more reticent on the nose than the Cros Parantoux, hinting at minerals and crushed rock. Sweet, dense and penetrating, with extremely backward flavors similar to the aromas. This isn't quite showing the treble tones of the Cros Parantoux but it's a bigger wine and may be even longer. Spreads out remarkably on the seriously tannic, ripe finish.

Vinous (91-94)

The 2009 Pommard Pezerolles emerges from the glass with freshly cut roses, raspberries and sweet spices. This is an utterly refined Pommard. There is plenty of energy and vigor, but the fruit has more than enough pedigree and depth to stand up to the tannins. This is the estate's smallest cuvée; in 2009 there are only two barrels.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2009 Echezeaux comes across as rich, powerful and totally seductive. It shows considerable richness and depth in a more immediate style than the 2010. The aromatics and nuance of the 2010 are missing, but in exchange readers will find a deep, fleshy wine that will deliver considerable pleasure with minimum cellaring. I especially like the intensity of the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2034.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2009 Echezeaux comes across as rich, powerful and totally seductive. It shows considerable richness and depth in a more immediate style than the 2010. The aromatics and nuance of the 2010 are missing, but in exchange readers will find a deep, fleshy wine that will deliver considerable pleasure with minimum cellaring. I especially like the intensity of the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2034.

Wine Spectator (92-95)

Superb concentration, with spice, currant and berry character. Full and velvety. So long. At same quality level as the legendary 1955, or 1959. Score range: 92-95 -JS

Jeb Dunnuck (94)

The 2009 Pagodes De Cos is a blockbuster that I wish I had more of in the cellar. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot (there’s a small amount of Petit Verdot) brought up in roughly 50% new French oak, its deep purple/plum color is followed by a smorgasbord of black raspberry and kirsch like fruits, spice box, dried flowers and licorice. With a huge mid-palate, sweet, sweet tannin, beautiful purity of fruit, and a great finish, it’s an incredibly sexy, satisfying second wine that will keep for another 10-15 years.

Decanter (98)

Straight away the deep, rich colour tells you that this is a sexy, powerful wine, barely hitting the next stage of evolution at seven years old. The nose is rich and spicy, and carries through perfectly onto the palate of exotic, spiced plum flavours with a tarry, liquorice edge. Great confidence on display. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot.

Vinous (92+)

The 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Enseignères is remarkably inward for the year. Light on its feet, it shows gorgeous inner tension that buffers the fruit in a harmonious, classy style. With time in the glass the fruit begins to emerge, hinting at what is in store for the future. The rich, textured finish is long and utterly impeccable. This is shaping up to be a beauty. The vines here are more than 80 years old.

Vinous - Neal Martin (92)

The 2009 Potensac has an attractive bouquet with blackberry, melted tar, black tea and graphite scents. Nicely defined it maybe a little conservative given the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity. Classic in style with fine graphite and cedar notes towards the finish. Enjoy this now and over the next decade. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting.

James Suckling (93)

A soft and fruity wine, with orange peel and berries and plums. Full body, with super fine tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and very pretty. Structured in the end. Fresh. Succulent. A style away from the over extracted one a few years ago. Try after 2018.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91+)

Quite closed on the nose, hinting at menthol and wet stone. Then juicy and tight in the mouth, more taut and incisive than silky today, and showing superb precision for the vintage. Solid mineral grip extends the finish and gives this premier cru excellent tension, but it will need five or six years to unwind.

Vinous (93)

The 2009 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre is super-impressive. There is a level of detail, nuance and energy to the fruit that is quite rare in 2009. The Montée de Tonnerre possesses dazzling purity all the way through to the finely articulated, chiseled finish. This is yet another superb effort from Raveneau. I have a slight preference for the 2010 here, but the 2009 will offer fabulous drinking while its younger sibling ages in the cellar.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2009 Chablis Blanchots is deep, powerful and intense, particularly in the way it blossoms on the palate with layers of radiant fruit. This is a striking wine graced with an expressive, open personality that resonates through to the generous finish. I especially like the raciness of the fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.

Vinous (95)

It's all there in the 2009 Chablis Les Clos. White flowers, lime peel, oyster shells and petrol are some of the nuances the run through the wine. Les Clos possesses a striking inner perfume, layers of expressive fruit and a sumptuous, kaleidoscopic finish. This is a stunning effort from Raveneau.

Vinous (93+)

The 2009 Chablis Valmur is quite closed. There is plenty of power in the glass, but not much else. Today the Valmur isn't showing much. It is the only 2009 that appears to be showing the ill effects of its recent bottling. This will be an interesting bottle to re-visit in another 6-12 months.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2009 Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape is an awesome example of elegance combined with extraordinary power. The alcohol levels must be between 15.5% and 16%, but the elegance and sublime nature of this wine make it irresistible. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of framboise, black cherry liqueur intermixed with blacker fruits, licorice and a hint of flowers. Pure with terrific layers of fruit concentration (although it's remarkably light on its feet), silky tannins, well-integrated acidity and a stunning personality, this monumental Rayas is breathtaking. This beauty will undoubtedly be drinkable early on (although Emmanuel Reynaud considers that to be infanticide), and it is capable of lasting 25-30 years. One of the world's most mysterious estates is Chateau Rayas. This small 30-acre estate is owned by the Reynaud family, which dates back to the late 19th century,. The estate has always had an image of secrecy and seclusion. Following the death of Jacques Reynaud in 1997, his nephew, Emmanuel took over, and he continues to produce wines that go from strength to strength. A cool climate property in a hot zone, Rayas is tucked away in a forest with its vineyards basically one parcel of sandy soil. Emmanuel Reynaud, who is also the proprietor of the outstanding Vacqueyras estate called Domaine des Tours, has the same eccentric idiosyncracies as his uncle. It is not as difficult to get an appointment to visit Rayas as many people think, and I highly recommend it as it is always a fascinating place to visit. After 25 years, I never cease to be amazed by what emerges from these decrepit, old, haphazard cellars that look like a biohazard room in a video game. They don't win the top prize for the dirtiest cellars in Chateauneuf du Pape (that goes to Henri Bonneau), but Rayas is a close second. Modern-day oenology graduates would be horrified by -working conditions,- but the magic elixirs to emerge from these ancient barrels, demi-muids and foudres are wondrous. On this trip, I tasted through the component parts of the 2010s, another top vintage for Rayas. Production was tiny, and the harvest was extremely late. In fact, Emmanuel Reynaud told me that 2011 would be at least ten days in advance of 2010. The 2009s, which have all been bottled, have turned out to be spectacular, and I tend to think the 2009 Rayas could turn out to be the greatest wine made by Emmanuel, even eclipsing the 2007.

Wine Advocate (93)

The 2009 Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses is a bit unusual for this site. The fruit shows more depth, concentration and overt richness than most wines from this vineyard. The signature perfume emerges with time, but this remains a wine essentially built on an intense core of fruit. Groffier used 10% stems here. The finish shows a little heat, which is the only thing that keeps the score from going higher. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029.

Wine Advocate (92)

This opulent, sexy 2009 Rouget is composed of primarily Merlot blended with a touch of Cabernet Franc. Sandy, loamy soil notes interwoven with kirsch and Provencal garrigue jump from the glass of this full-bodied, opulent, rich Pomerol. Abundant fruit on the attack, mid-palate and finish characterize this over-achiever. Consume it over the next 15 years.

Vinous (98+)

The 2009 Screaming Eagle is insanely beautiful. It is a relatively open vintage that nevertheless possesses stunning intensity, depth and elegance. Dark red berries, flowers, mint and spices are all woven together beautifully. Layers of fruit build effortlessly to the long, seductive finish. The 2009 continues to flesh out in the glass. All of the elements are in the right place in the drop-dead gorgeous, stunning 2009. A haunting bouquet reminiscent of a great Musigny lingers on the finish.

Vinous (89-91)

(57-year-old vines) Good full red. Cherry and spicy oak on the nose. Moderately sweet and dense but backward; harder to taste than the examples from Vosne-Romanee and quite oaky today. This ripe wine has a sizable structure, but the finish is a bit tough with wood tannins.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-95)

Very good deep color. Wonderfully high-pitched aromas and flavors of sappy red fruits, Oriental spices, blood orange and bitter chocolate; it's rare to find this sort of perfume in 2009. Then compellingly sweet and sappy on the palate, saturating the mouth with flavor. A large-scaled premier cru that spreads out impressively on the finish, which features substantial but very fine tannins. Does this have the complexity and verve of the outstanding 2008? Cathiard believes this will be good young and old, but you'll need to forget the 2008, which is a real vin de garde