This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with the Cabernet dominating, looks to be the best they have ever produced, even eclipsing the 2005. Dense purple in color, with extraordinarily elegant floral notes intermixed with raspberry, black currant, cherry, and spice box, it is medium to full-bodied, not massive, but ... more

The traditional Montrose estate has been called the 'Latour of Saint-Estèphe' and is considered by many collectors and critics to be producing First-Growth quality, even though the 1855 classification designated it as a 2nd Growth. Planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, Montrose ... more

Owned by the talented Christian Moeuix, La Providence is superbly situated next to La Fleur Petrus, Hosanna and Trotanoy. Planted to 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the small 10 acre vineyard was once part of Chateau Tropchaud, one of Pomerol's oldest vineyards. Christian Moeuix eliminated the use of herbicides ... more

We visited this ancient estate in April 2010 and tasted this 2009 out of barrel with Luc d'Arfeuille, whose family has owned the estate for over 100 years. Château La Serre is a 17 acre vineyard at the very top of Saint-Emilion, just outside the village itself. The residence was ... more

Alter Ego is the second label of 3rd Growth superstar Château Palmer. Planted to 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, with an average vine age of 35 years, the estate is known for producing one of Bordeaux's most compelling wines in the aromatics as well ... more

Stephane Derenoncourt consults and his wife Christine direct this property, which is a 35-acre vineyard not far from Cheval Blanc near the Pomerol side of the St.-Emilion appellation. As far as the technical information, yields were 32 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine hit 14% natural alcohol in the final ... more

The 2009 Cos d’Estournel is one of the greatest young wines I have ever tasted ... in the world! An extraordinary effort I tasted on two separate occasions, this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with a dollop of Cabernet Franc has a whopping 14.5% alcohol, ... more

The 2009 is one of the greatest Leoville Las Cases I have ever tasted, which is saying something given the many compelling wines that have been made at this estate. A final blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc has resulted in a wine that appears ... more

Thirty-five percent of the crop went into the 2009 Chateau Margaux, composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The alcohol level of 13.3% is high, but not excessively so. A wine such as this is like the quintessence of terroir. A super, ... more

A wonderfully fragrant nose of roses, cloves, allspice, blueberries, forest floor and loam leads into a very structured palate of firm, fine grained tannins and medium+ acidity. More of a savoury / earthy character comes through on the concentrated, full bodied palate. Very long finish., Such wonderful clarity to this ... more

Following the lustrous 2000 and 2005, the 2009 is another terrific effort from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse. Tiny yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, 13.7% natural alcohol, and a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot have resulted in a wine boasting stunning minerality along with notes of flowers, blueberries, ... more

Only time will tell whether the 2009, another great effort from Branaire, will eclipse the 2005 and 2003. Certainly at 13.6% alcohol it is the most powerful Branaire ever made, and the final blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot showcases what ... more