2009 Bordeaux (for Public TV)

World Series of Wine
Tasted Sunday, November 4, 2012 by Loren Sonkin with 794 views

Introduction

Yesterday, I attended an annual fundraiser for our local PBS station. In addition to their Grand Tastings of mass quantities of supermarket wines, they had seminars. Dan Greathouse can always be counted on to give an excellent presentation on Bordeaux including some real treats. This was no exception. Although the primary beneficiary of the $100 entrance fee is PBS, no doubt all who attended felt like they got their money's worth.

Flight 1 - To get started: (1 Note)

Dan also happened to mention about the new James Bond Bollinger wine. It comes with a way cool case. I wish I knew what to use that case for after the wine, because it is really cool.

Flight 2 - The main tasting. (6 Notes)

The wines had been poured ahead of time (not sure how long). Cheese and crackers were served alongside.

  • 2009 Château Argadens 85 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur

    A bit disappointing of a way to start tasting a vintage as heralded as this. $17 Ohio. Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose is sweaty with cherry cough drop flavors. Very soft and smooth. Cherries with slightly green tobacco notes on the palate. Some heat. Very slight tannins. Its ok, but nothing more.

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  • 2009 Château St. Georges St. Georges-St. Émilion 90 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Georges-St. Émilion

    $30 Ohio. Very nice wine and the best QPR on the table. Ruby/purple in color, clear and bright. The nose has dark cherries, slight cassis and slight graphite notes. Nice slippery texture. Black cherries on the palate and there is some depth here. Firm tannins especially with some air. Long finish. This is the kind of over achieving I expect to see in this vintage. This is one of those wines the Ohio Importer seems to have cornered as I see it in every vintage it seems, but rarely see a note or review on it. I usually find it a bit lacking for the price, but this one has some very nice value.

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  • 2009 Hauts de Pontet-Canet 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    A nice showing for this second wine (Pontet Canet). Not sure there is any value here though as I think this sells closer to $50 now. Ruby/purple in color. Clear and bright. The nose is dusty with cassis. Someone said peppery but I found it more like bramble (think Zinfandel). Nice texture and very smooth to drink. Dark cherries, some bitterness (not bad), and a bit of black raspberries. Firm tannins. Somewhat generic, but a find and enjoyable wine. Nothing in common to the Grand Vin.

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  • 2009 Château Pontet-Canet 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Certainly an amazing wine. This is an RP100 point wine so expectations are high. I don't put it in the category, but who knows where it will get to in time. It is really great. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is really nice with cassis and graphite and some smoke. Very deep. On the palate, this is surprisingly open and drinking well. Complex and layered, I am sure it will develop more, but showing a lot right now. Tons of fruit, slight syrup quality, but not over done. Long, long finish. This sells for $300 in Ohio, so out of my price range, but I would happily drink this any time.

    I did find this only marginally better than the 2008 version I had at this event last year. Considering that is available for under $100 a bottle, I may revisit that wine. The experts seem to think the big difference will be ten years out when the 09 will continue to develop. I have my doubts that it will ever be that much better, but it would be fun to try. I will buy some 08 now if someone wants to volunteer for the 09.

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  • 2009 Château La Hase 87 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    This is a $14 bottle of wine but put in as they produce wines in a very sustainable method. It is nice and a good simple quaffer. ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose is light but shows some cherries. Juicy texture. Tart cherries on the palate. Probably goes better with food.

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  • 2000 Château La Fleur de Boüard 91 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lalande de Pomerol

    This was put in as a bonus to have a taste of a "mature" wine. Purple and opaque in color although a bit flat. The nose has lots of cigar box and cassis. It is mature, at or near peak but no hurry. Showing a nice layering of fruit - cassis and plums, with some earthy qualities. Very smooth and a long finish. Very nice wine.

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Flight 3 - Out in the Lobby (3 Notes)

Dan always has a few extra treats out in the lobby.

  • 2009 Château Rollan de By 88 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc

    Very solid wine. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries, spice and cassis. Open and ready to drink. Not really showing any complexity, but a fine and tasty drink.

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  • 2009 Thunevin Mauvais Garçon / Bad Boy 89 Points

    France, Bordeaux

    Well I can certainly see a lot of people not liking this, but I really liked it. After so much wine, this woke my palate up. Certainly it is a big, fruit filled wine. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, licorice, smoke and spice. On the palate, there is a ton of fruit here. It is delicious and would be a very popular wine for non-geeks I think. Not sure what this costs here but if it is around $20 (as it is elsewhere), this should be a fun wine for the next few years.

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  • 2009 Château de la Rivière 87 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Fronsac

    This was a fine enough wine. I have had some 09 Bordeaux at half the price that I found better, but it is solid. Lots of cherries and dark cherries. Some spice. Ready to drink now and over the next few years.

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Flight 4 - One more at home. (1 Note)

  • 2009 Château Branaire-Ducru 94 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    So when I got home, I thought I would open one more bottle. Like the Pontet Canet I was surprised as to how open and accessible this is now. Purple in color. The nose has cassis, graphite, floral notes and vanilla. Lush texture. Delicious and fruit filled but also showing some layering. Cassis, earth, dried tobacco on the palate. Long finish. Really delicious. I save half the bottle to try on day 2, but it was hard to do.

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Closing

Looking forward to next year and 2010. Dan?

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