James Suckling (94)

Pretty aromas of crushed blueberries, with sliced mushrooms that follow through to a full body and chewy tannins with a lovely depth of ripe fruit. Bright acidity. Superb second wine from L'Evangile. Try in 2016.

Vinous (96+)

Bollinger’s 2009 Vieilles Vignes Françaises is tightly wound and reserved, which is quite surprising given the warm, dry weather of the vintage. That won’t be a problem in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. With a few hours of air, apricot, plum, spice, dried cherry and candied orange peel start to appear, but the 2009 remains rather taut. In some years, VVF can be quite opulent, 2002 and 2010 come to mind. The 2009, on the other hand is much more vibrant. I wouldn’t plan on opening a bottle anytime soon. VVF remains one of the most compelling wines – still or sparkling – in the world. It emerges from ungrafted Pinot Noir vines in Aÿ’s Chaudes Terres and Clos St. Jacques lieu-dits and is vinified and aged in barrel. Dosage is 4 grams per liter.

Vinous (96+)

Bollinger’s 2009 Vieilles Vignes Françaises is tightly wound and reserved, which is quite surprising given the warm, dry weather of the vintage. That won’t be a problem in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. With a few hours of air, apricot, plum, spice, dried cherry and candied orange peel start to appear, but the 2009 remains rather taut. In some years, VVF can be quite opulent, 2002 and 2010 come to mind. The 2009, on the other hand is much more vibrant. I wouldn’t plan on opening a bottle anytime soon. VVF remains one of the most compelling wines – still or sparkling – in the world. It emerges from ungrafted Pinot Noir vines in Aÿ’s Chaudes Terres and Clos St. Jacques lieu-dits and is vinified and aged in barrel. Dosage is 4 grams per liter.

Wine Advocate (98+)

BOND’s 2009 Proprietary Blend Vecina, from Vine Hill Ranch, is fascinating to taste after the St. Eden. While the St. Eden is round and sensual, the Vecina is all about linear power and structure. Endowed with tremendous length and persistence, the Vecina presents endless layers of dark fruit and expressive aromatics supported by considerable tension and energy. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2034.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2009 Corton is impeccably refined from start to finish. Endless layers of red fruit, flowers, licorice and sweet spices caress the palate in this impeccable, breathtaking red. This is an absolutely gorgeous, striking wine endowed with extraordinary textural finesse and elegance. Sweet, perfumed notes caress the palate on the rich, resonant finish. In 2009, the Corton is pure finesse and class. Ideally, the 2009 is best left alone for at least a few years, but readers will need to be disciplined, as the wine is already delicious, even today. Anticipated maturity: 2014+.

Wine Advocate (95)

The 2009 Corton is impeccably refined from start to finish. Endless layers of red fruit, flowers, licorice and sweet spices caress the palate in this impeccable, breathtaking red. This is an absolutely gorgeous, striking wine endowed with extraordinary textural finesse and elegance. Sweet, perfumed notes caress the palate on the rich, resonant finish. In 2009, the Corton is pure finesse and class. Ideally, the 2009 is best left alone for at least a few years, but readers will need to be disciplined, as the wine is already delicious, even today. Anticipated maturity: 2014+.

Vinous (95)

I thought the 2009 Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray was simply brilliant. Perhaps it was the magnum format, but the 2009 was fabulous, with all of the signature mineral, slate and citrus notes given a little extra richness by the warmth of the year. What a gorgeous wine.

Vinous (95)

I thought the 2009 Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray was simply brilliant. Perhaps it was the magnum format, but the 2009 was fabulous, with all of the signature mineral, slate and citrus notes given a little extra richness by the warmth of the year. What a gorgeous wine.

Vinous (95+)

Very pale yellow. Aromas of mirabelle, apple, spices, menthol and white truffle, lifted by a whiff of lime blossom. Juicy and rich but extremely discreet today, with ripe apple and spice flavors coming across as fully ripe but classically dry. There's an almost exotic marzipan note on the back end but strong acidity is keeping the wine under wraps. This will need at least seven or eight years of cellaring to begin to deliver on its considerable potential.

James Suckling (95)

Gorgeous aromas of dark berries and wet earth, with hints of graphite. Full body, with juicy, chewy tannins and a long rich, fruity, and succulent finish. Best ever from here. Try in 2019.

Jeb Dunnuck (95)

Showing beautifully, the 2009 Château Brane-Cantenac is loaded with classic Margaux notes of sandalwood, dried flowers, spice, truffle, and blackcurrants. Based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and has a beautifully textured, elegant mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's a quintessential, elegant yet textured, concentrated Margaux to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.

Wine Advocate (98)

This magnificent, dense plum/purple-colored Pessac-Leognan reveals notes of scorched earth, burning embers, blackberries and truffles. Composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a vineyard gorgeously situated between Malartic Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly, it possesses full-bodied power, a stunningly intense, voluptuous, layered mouthfeel and abundant levels of fruit, glycerin and tannin. The 2009 ranks alongside the magnificent 2000, which is aging at a glacial pace. Unfortunately, proprietress Helene Garcin only produces around 500 cases of this somewhat cult-ish Pessac-Leognan. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.

Vinous (93)

Good bright medium red. Strawberry and a flinty note on the nose. Rich, ripe and fairly open-knit for young Barolo, but with good power nonetheless. Shows sexy early sweetness to the plush red fruit and complex earth flavors. This fruit bomb of a Barolo finishes with sweet tannins and lovely length. From clay-rich soil.

Vinous (94+)

(with the 2010 release, this wine will say Brea Ca' Mia on the label): Bright red. Captivatingly fresh, primary aromas of raspberry, minerals and flowers are accented by a sappy note of blood orange; reminded me a bit of a topnotch Burgundy from Vosne or Chambolle. Sweet and thick but with lovely acidity giving the wine a strong impression of inner-mouth tension. A step up in density and fullness from the foregoing wines, with its Serralunga limestone pungency coming through loud and clear. Finishes very long and horizontal, with serious but well-buffered tannins and excellent menthol lift. Wonderfully elegant and perfumed Barolo from a south/southeast-facing vineyard that is spared the hottest afternoon sun.

Vinous (92)

(bottled in August of 2012): Bright medium red. High-pitched aromas of raspberry, rose petal and mint. Juicy, youthfully tight and intense; not a rich style but elegant and perfumed, with good supporting minerality. No sign of overripeness here, unlike with many other 2009 Barolos from sandy soil. Finishes with building but ripe tannins and enticing lingering aromatic character. Very refined.

The Calvo Casajus Ribera Del Duero NIC 2009 is the ultimate testament to the wine-making prowess of Burgos, Spain's Calvo Casajus winery. Considered one of the jewels of Ribera del Duero, it is a product of exceptional craftsmanship and passion. Produced from 100-year-old organically grown Tempranillo grapes, it boasts unparalleled finesse and flavour intensity. The varietal was vinified classically before aging for 26 months in French oak barrels, resulting in a superb balance between fruit and wood.

This grand vintage expresses luscious hints of ripe black fruit, liquorice and cocoa, accentuated by an undercurrent of earthy spices. Its soft tannins and new oak's slight sweetness create a gratifyingly rounded palate. Jose Maria Calvo, the man behind the label, has perfected the fine art of minimal intervention, showcasing the natural excellency of Ribera's unique terroir. Calvo Casajus Ribera Del Duero NIC 2009 truly captures the heart and soul of Spanish viticulture.

Decanter (95)

Dark cherries, vanilla, sweet spice, strawberry and red berry fruits are woven through the long and fresh palate. A refined wine that does itself proud with its long finish, stupendous finesse and seamlessly integrated, ripe tannins. Delicious to drink

This exciting wine adds quality and diversity to Bordeaux. Dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Franc whilst low in Cabernet Sauvignon, it is fruit forward with plenty of personality to its nose. The 2009 has flamboyance typical of this vintage with silky tannins.

James Suckling (95)

Gorgeous ripe fruit character, with loads of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity, fresh, grapefruit aftertaste. Really beautiful. Best ever from here. Best after 2018.

James Suckling (95)

Gorgeous ripe fruit character, with loads of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity, fresh, grapefruit aftertaste. Really beautiful. Best ever from here. Best after 2018.

Wine Spectator (93-96)

Fresh berry and currant, with mint and spices. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Toasted oak, ripe fruit, everything. A beauty. Best ever. Score range: 93-96 -JS

Wine Spectator (93-96)

Fresh berry and currant, with mint and spices. Full-bodied, with supervelvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Toasted oak, ripe fruit, everything. A beauty. Best ever. Score range: 93-96 -JS

James Suckling (95)

Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018.

James Suckling (95)

Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018.

Vinous (96+)

The 2009 d'Alceo comes across as much more classic in style and structure than the 2008. According to Luca di Napoli, the trick to 2009 was harvesting on the early side. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, plums, mint and licorice all take shape in the glass Over the last few months, the 2009 d'Alceo has softened a bit, releasing expressive, floral aromatics, brighter shades of fruit and striking inner perfume, but it remains quite vibrant in the context of a vintage in which so many wines are quite a bit riper in style. The 2009 is a wonderfully deep, resonant d'Alceo that should offer a wide drinking window starting in a few years. It certainly looks like Rampolla nailed the vintage.

Vinous (95)

Beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2009 Lupicaia is a standout. Sweet red cherries, flowers, mint, anise, savory herbs and spices all ring out in a supple, gracious wine loaded with class. The 2009 needs a few years for some of the contours to soften, but it is a gorgeous wine with tons of personality. This is a decidedly round, sexy Lupicaia that is going to offer plenty of enjoyment over the course of the next fifteen years or so.

Experience the magic of Loire valley's terroir with the Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Perrieres 2009. This exceptional red wine is handmade by the venerated biodynamic producers, Catherine and Pierre Breton. Grapes of the native Cabernet Franc varietal are handpicked from the organically farmed, 50-year-old vines in the Perrieres vineyard, ensuring an intense expression of its unique environment. After manual harvesting, the wine undergoes meticulous traditional winemaking practices, long maceration, and ageing in old oak barrels for up to two years to further refine its complexities.

This vintage is celebrated for its remarkable depth, structured tannins, and a sophisticated flavour profile brimming with ripe dark fruits, laced with subtle undertones of earth and spice. Long-lasting finish and stellar ageing potential make Catherine et Pierre Breton Bourgueil Perrieres 2009 a compelling choice for wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-91)

(from old, degenerating vines, part on thin, rocky soil and part on deeper soil) Good deep red-ruby. Blackberry, smoke and sexy oak tones on the nose. Juicy, shapely and vibrant; a step up in intensity from the village offerings. More structure and less easy sweetness here despite the wine's full ripeness. Finishes with good rocky grip.