Home Tasting articles
Bordeaux 2009

Seven more 2009 red bordeaux

Image
Jancis Robinson
Monday 24 May 2010
Image

Here's another small tranche of tasting notes on 2009 bordeaux, published as a substantial portion of the Bordeaux wine trade decamp to Hong Kong for Vinexpo Asia. See the Chinese fakery thread  and Lafite '09 grey market threads in members' forum for some possibly alarming news about wines that may be offered for sale there. 

Lafite may be being offered at £1,000 a bottle but the wines below will be available for modest three-figure sums per case and demonstrate that 2009 bordeaux is not all overpriced.

Ch Bournac 2009 Médoc 16
Dark crimson.  Ripe, almost fleshy nose.  Positively plummy palate entry but lots of energy and life on the palate stops it being too much.  Worth watching this one.  Just fines itself down a little on the finish.   (JR)
Drink 2014 – 2020
Ch Mazails 2009 Médoc 16
Very dark crimson. Refined, rather sophisticated nose. Polished fruit with a notably dry (though not drying) finish. Not for the very long term perhaps but a confident performer. (JR)
Drink 2015 – 2021
Ch Sègue Longue Monnier 2009 Médoc 16
This property is being converted to organic viticulture apparently.  Brilliant crimson.  Already quite a broad panopoly of aromas though not one of the most dense on the palate.  Very lively and vivacious – almost fizzes with excitement.  Still a bit chewy on the finish but exellent integrity. (JR)
Drink 2015 – 2022
Ch Andron Blanquet 2009 St-Estèphe 15.5
Blackish crimson. Decidedly reserved on the nose.  Very dry start.  Pretty tough, though true to its appellation.  In classical mould and only for those in love with St-Estephe's rigour. (JR)
Drink 2018 – 2026
Ch Picard 2009 St-Estèphe 15.5 +
Smouldering blackish purple.  Quite a contrast to the austere Andron Blanquet tasted alongside – a sort of Carmen of a wine on the nose, and from St-Estephe! Possibly a bit too modernist for some tastes although it does all come to a fine, dry point, with absolutely masses of acidity, on the finish.  A bit of disjunction between nose and palate for the moment. (JR)
Drink 2016 – 2023
Ch Haut-Breton Larigaudière 2009 Margaux 16
Purplish crimson. Polished and suave on the nose. Margaux indeed.  Well balanced  already – seems quite open and lush but not sweet or confected.  A very attractive drink for relatively early consumption.    (JR)
Drink 2014 – 2019
Ch Civrac 2009 Côtes de Bourg 15.5 +
Dense and mossy on the nose.  Very concentrated and, at this stage, rather high in acidity.  There is a lot rammed into this.  I hope the balance is good enough for it to unfurl into something beautiful eventually.  Bone dry and a bit severe at this stage. (JR)
Drink 2017 – 2024