Wine Enthusiast (98)

97-99 Barrel sample. A tasting from several barrels, because the chateau has not made the final blend, so the rating is provisional. But the wine is so rich, with an almost perfect balance of acidity and ripeness, allied to a complete purity of honeyed botrytis. However the final wine turns out, it will be magnificent.

Wine Spectator (95-98)

Blackberry and mineral aromas, with flowers. Full-bodied, but reserved and supersilky and pretty. This is the bomb. Forget the 1989. Score range: 95-98 -JS

James Suckling (94-95)

This is the best Clos du Marquis ever made. Structured and very rich, with flavors of currants, berries, and flowers. A baby Las Cases. Full and fine, with firm tannins and a mineral character. More Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than before. Barrel sample.

James Suckling (94-95)

This is the best Clos du Marquis ever made. Structured and very rich, with flavors of currants, berries, and flowers. A baby Las Cases. Full and fine, with firm tannins and a mineral character. More Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than before. Barrel sample.

Experience the revered elegance of the Clos Floridene Blanc 2009. Skilfully curated by vintners Denis and Florence Dubourdieu, this exquisite wine hails from Graves, the birthplace of Bordeaux wines. The Dubourdieu family brings their scientific expertise through rigorous vineyard management and breakthrough winemaking techniques, ensuring the purest expression of terroir.

Enjoy the beautiful blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc in Clos Floridene Blanc 2009 - two emblematic varietals of the Graves region. Exceptionally hand-picked, these grapes are vinified and aged in French oak barrels, contributing to its stunning complexity. The wine reveals enchanting aromas of citrus and white fruit, evolving into luscious honey and butter notes on the palate, signifying its ageing potential.

A wine not to be missed, Clos Floridene Blanc 2009 expresses elegance, depth, and exuberance that is the epitome of the Graves' landscape.

Wine Enthusiast (96)

95-97 Barrel sample. Black, dense fruits, licorice and dark chocolate over prunes and ripe figs. This is a spicy wine, with the acidity of the fruit forming a great balancing counterweight. Very complete.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2009 is one of the sexiest wines in Pomerol in this vintage, offering up notes of melted caramel, sweet mocha, blackberry and black cherry fruit, with hints of loamy soil and unsmoked cigar tobacco as well as a touch of white chocolate and some subtle toasty oak. Round, opulent and unctuously textured, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, fabulous purity, and no hard edges, this sumptuous, fleshy, lavishly rich Pomerol can be drunk now and over the next 25 years.

Wine Advocate (95)

A blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 14% natural alcohol, the wine has an extraordinary purity and vivaciousness in 2009. Dense ruby/purple, with beautiful black currant and black cherry notes as well as hints of raspberry and spring flowers, despite the fact that 100% new French oak is used, it is completely buried beneath a cascade of glorious fruit. The wine is extremely aromatic, with great intensity and beautiful balance. Unlike most vintages, it is somewhat accessible because of the vintage’s low acidity and higher alcohols and should drink well for up to 20 years.

Wine Spectator (89-92)

Floral and sweet berry aromas follow through to a full body. A little hard, but shows solid tannins and good fruit. Chewy. Score range: 89-92 -JS

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Another magical wine from this property, the 2009 Château Cos D'Estournel reminds me slightly of the 2005 with its incredibly rich, powerful, opulent style married to stunning finesse and elegance. Still youthful yet with a touch of maturity, its deep ruby/plum color is followed by classic Saint-Estèphe notes of blackcurrants, dried tobacco, loamy earth, Asian spices, and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, and massive on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced and has building tannins hiding under its wealth of fruit, with no hard edges and a great, great finish. This tour de force is still 5-7 years away from maturity and is a legendary wine to follow over the coming 40-50 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Another magical wine from this property, the 2009 Château Cos D'Estournel reminds me slightly of the 2005 with its incredibly rich, powerful, opulent style married to stunning finesse and elegance. Still youthful yet with a touch of maturity, its deep ruby/plum color is followed by classic Saint-Estèphe notes of blackcurrants, dried tobacco, loamy earth, Asian spices, and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, and massive on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced and has building tannins hiding under its wealth of fruit, with no hard edges and a great, great finish. This tour de force is still 5-7 years away from maturity and is a legendary wine to follow over the coming 40-50 years.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Another magical wine from this property, the 2009 Château Cos D'Estournel reminds me slightly of the 2005 with its incredibly rich, powerful, opulent style married to stunning finesse and elegance. Still youthful yet with a touch of maturity, its deep ruby/plum color is followed by classic Saint-Estèphe notes of blackcurrants, dried tobacco, loamy earth, Asian spices, and licorice. Deep, full-bodied, and massive on the palate, it's flawlessly balanced and has building tannins hiding under its wealth of fruit, with no hard edges and a great, great finish. This tour de force is still 5-7 years away from maturity and is a legendary wine to follow over the coming 40-50 years.

James Suckling (93)

Intense aromas of sliced mushrooms, blackberries and spices follow through to a full body, with sweet, ripe fruit, velvety tannins and a fresh clean finish. Tangy and fresh. Best ever from here and one of the values of the vintage. Best in 2016.

Chateau d’Armailhac is typically light in style for Bordeaux yet with plenty of Pauillac character. The 2009 is higher in Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a deeper ruby colour with more spice and cedar notes. Wine from this great vintage will improve for well over a decade.

Wine Advocate (100)

Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 d'Yquem bursts from the glass with gregarious crème caramel, allspice, dried apricots, mandarin peel and pineapple upside down cake scents plus a fragrant undercurrent of fungi, acacia honey, candied ginger, musk perfume and frangipani. Full-bodied and full-on hedonic in the mouth, the rich, tightly wound layers are still amazingly youthful with bags of citrus sparks and an incredibly long, perfumed finish. Possessing a residual sugar of 157 grams per liter and 13.6% alcohol as well as a laser-focused line of freshness, the rock-solid structure and through-the-roof opulence here is simply mind blowing. Pure perfection.

James Suckling (94)

Deep aromas of blueberries, spices, fresh chanterelles, and grapes ,follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a spicy finish. Intense and structured. Second wine of Montrose. Try after 2018.

Wine Enthusiast (92)

91-93 Barrel sample. Well structured, this has dry tannins over vivid black fruits. It shows acidity but also great juicy sweetness.

James Suckling (97)

Aromas of blueberries and lemon rind. Full body, with soft and velvety tannins and bright fruity finish. Refined and beautiful. Layered wine. Pure fruit. Gravelley. Stoney. So classy and complex. Try in 2020.

Vinous - Ian D'Agata (87-90)

Good deep red with ruby highlights. Delicate aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum and spices on the floral, perfumed nose. Suave and smooth, with a refined, pure quality to the redcurrant, cedar and tobacco flavors. Hardly a blockbuster, this very nicely balanced wine finishes smooth, with fine-grained, pliant tannins. This rather delicate wine should offer plenty of early pleasure.

The 'Droite comme il faut Assortment Case 2009' is an exquisite collection of fine wines, crafted with unparalleled proficiency and skill. Hailing from France’s celebrated Bordeaux region, each bottle is a testament to the expertise of its creators. These are wines born from the finest grapes, meticulously cultivated in the region's superior terroir.

Produced by the remarkable winegrowers at Château Droite comme il faut, the 2009 Assortment Case includes blends renowned for their deep flavours and aromatic complexity. Each varietal is distinguished by its individual character, yet the wines collectively represent remarkable consistency and harmony - an ode to the proprietor's remarkable command of viticulture.

This sophisticated case provides connoisseurs with an elegant anthology of some of the most critically acclaimed vintages of 2009. With its robust flavours and intricately nuanced profiles, the 'Droite comme il faut Assortment Case 2009' offers an unparalleled wine-drinking experience, poised to enchant the palate and delight the discerning wine lover.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Starting a duo of magical vintages, the 2009 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of those wines that always seems to deliver the goods. A normal blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that hit 13.5% natural alcohol, it has a soaring bouquet of sweet blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, minty herbs, graphite, and assorted spicy nuances. It's full-bodied, broad, expansive, and flawlessly balanced, and has still present yet sweet, fine-grained tannins. It's in a much sexier, more showy style compared to the 2010, but I suspect it will nevertheless be just about as long-lived. This is pure perfection in wine.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

Talk about value, the 2009 Duhart-Milon is straight up sensational stuff. Made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, it gives up classic notes of blackcurrants, pencil shavings, saddle leather and smoked herbs, it’s full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with fine tannin, impeccable balance and a great, great finish. It’s a heavenly bottle of wine that will compete with the best out there. Buy this wine!

Wine Spectator (92)

Sweet berry and currant on the nose and palate, with hints of mint. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. This is like Lynch from the 1980s. This is made with more Cabernet Sauvignon than the old second wines of Lynch, and shows more class. Score range: 89-92

James Suckling (98)

The aromas in this are amazing, with blueberries, blackberries and fresh mushrooms. Black olives. So aromatic. Full-bodied, with super velvety tannins and lovely depth of ripe fruit. Balanced. Wild flavors on the finish of, meat, berries and forest fruits. Hints of decadence. 33% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. Best Figeac ever. Try after 2020.

James Suckling (98)

The aromas in this are amazing, with blueberries, blackberries and fresh mushrooms. Black olives. So aromatic. Full-bodied, with super velvety tannins and lovely depth of ripe fruit. Balanced. Wild flavors on the finish of, meat, berries and forest fruits. Hints of decadence. 33% Cabernet Franc, 33% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. Best Figeac ever. Try after 2020.

James Suckling (91)

Intense aromas of blueberries and raspberries, with hints of citrus. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and firm. Best in 2018.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2009 Gazin has a very concentrated, high-toned bouquet with Merlot firmly in the driving seat, a mixture of black and blue fruit. The palate is rounded on the entry with supple tannin, succulent and glossy in style with macerated black cherries and salted liquorice towards the finish. This needs another year or two in the glass. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

James Suckling (94)

Rich and decadent on the nose, with exotic fruits, spices and incense. Full body, with so much wonderful chocolate, fruit and velvety tannins. It's a joy to taste now, but will give even more pleasure in years to come. Best ever from here and one of the best values of the vintage. Try after 2018.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2009 Grand Puy Lacoste is one of the great vintages from this estate in the modern era. It storms from the glass with scents of blackberry, undergrowth, cedar and mint, retaining the classicism of GPL. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious with a gorgeous, lithe, graphite infused finish that lingers in the mouth. Bon vin. Tasted blind at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting.