Similar to my note from 2022. It is smooth but reticent. I wonder if this will ever be a generous wine like many of the 2009 Bdx. Time will tell. Hold if you can.
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A little disjointed on palate but evolved nose with some tertiary aromas. Pronounced oak still but the wine seems to be fully mature. Followed over 1,5 hrs in glass.
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Tenth bottle from two full cases purchased en primeur from a reputable Dutch merchant. Pristine bottle, not decanted as it did not seem to need it. Showing well, and holding up well on the second day. Black fruit, lead pencil, flowers and cream, blonde tobacco, good weight (14% ABV) and freshness, finely grained tannins, minty finish with very good length. Drinking well now and over the next decade.
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Odd and disjoint showing. I can't discount low level TCA. Seemed a bit hot. Tasting from the open bottle the next day, it has come together a little bit more but still seems to have elements that aren't in harmony, but there is some depth to the fruit. I'll wait a few years and try again.
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Meyney was my first left bank 2009' Bordeaux a few weeks ago and it delivered well, so I had to try another 2009er. Gave it 4 hours of air in a decanter. Perfect bottle, perfect cork. The nose was fresh, dark, with menthol and some cigar box. On the palate there were black fruits again, but not too much of them. The tannins are silky, overall-impression is very smooth, but the longer you have it in your glass, the more the tannins start to dry out. The wine doesn't develope in the glass, the first glass was the best. It even starts to decline, cause the tannins start to "bite" and cover your tongue till there is nothing left than a silky curtain... 92 points in the nose and at the beginning, 90 points at the end, 91 pts. overall.
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I agree with most of what has been said already. This is a great St Estephe–in the making. For me, there are still about 3-4 years left to reach its peak, judging by the level of acidity and heat. Not that it isn't enjoyable right now–it is actually very good. Of course, after 14 years in barrel and bottle, it may sound a bit strange to call a wine still 'young'. But this is a St Estephe and it is still young... It may just be one of those wines that truly deserve some more cellaring to bing out the very best, because judging at what is there already, the very best could be truly outstanding. Drink 2026-2029.
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The 2009 has been put very well together at this domain. One of my favourites of the more affordable wines from the Grand Cru Bordeaux stables and truly pleasurable. Fully mature now, well balanced, good fruit and very smooth makes this a winner. Worth every penny. Enough staying power for a few more years at its peak.
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Ninth bottle from two full cases purchased en primeur from a reputable Dutch merchant. Pristine bottle, decanted for two hours. Has developed well since my previous tasting note from November 2021, and the development seems to be picking up pace. It seems to be coming together really nicely right now, demonstrating a lovely aromatic interplay of creamy cherries, cedar, gravel, and lead pencil. The palate has good body and weight (14% ABV), marrying richness and freshness, supported by firm but finely grained tannins. The finish has good length, displaying lovely minty notes. Well-balanced, clear expression, comfortably on its plateau of maturity with at least another 10 years in the tank.
Crimson. Graphite, cedar and cassis on the nose. Slightly grainy tannins and fairly restrained and savoury on the midpalate with well judged acidity. Approaching the foothills of tertiary. Classy and correct. Not shouting "I'm a 2009 from the rooftops"!
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Found this at a London Soho restaurant for decent price. Full flavor to go with my roast pork - more herby than fruit, quite austere but opened up nicely. Very solid and will improve gently for another 5-10 years in a proper cellar.
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Decanted briefly. A bit reticent and improved with air. Beautifully balanced Medoc with savory dark fruit, herbed acid, fine tannins. Excellent mid-priced Bordeaux.
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Mixed bag with this one after very high hopes. Planned to drink over a few days alongside some other bottles so initially popped and poured. On first impressions it exploded out of the glass with loads of blackberry, cedar, pencil shavings and cigar box with a palate of rich dark fruits that finished slightly austere. I expected it to gain in depth and complexity but over the next couple of days it just became quite disjointed and difficult. By day 3 it had lost its opulence and hardened right up with a grainy finish. Looking at the other notes here I think it's just going through a rough phase. I wouldn't want to totally dismiss it as there is potential but let's see in a couple of years. Disappointing for now.
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Bottle drunk over 4 days which really struggled to show up. I gave up as the wine lacked balance and fruit. During the first two days we had a slightly heavy wine, with too much alcohol and a lack of acidity. On the third day we begin to have a slightly more affordable wine, a balance that is set up and (a little) fruit aromas that will appear. Notes taken on day 3: Deep violet red color. The nose remains discreet even after a long aeration, notes of small black fruits, pepper, tobacco, elegant oak, light leather, raspberry, hint of mint, espresso, Medium acidity, very present tannins, even slightly rough, slight alcoholic hint
The mouth is very played, there is volume on the attack then a final which will be lighter. The aromas perceived in the mouth are sunny and on cocoa, mocha, coffee...with a very light fruit. Some will appreciate this wine… on my side, not too much of a fan like many 2009s.
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The nose here is still demure, but showing some promising clay and berry. The sapidity and depth of the rich blueberry compote on the palate is actually something of a surprise and quite admirable. Fullish but not fat, with a clay-like earthiness.
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After seeing back to back notes on this wine of 75 and 93, I got my case out of long term storage and started popping corks.
P agreed that 93 was the right rating. I think that is a little generous, but 75 doesn’t come close, IMO.
Decanting helps, those it doesn’t have to be long, 30-60 minutes are fine. Nice fruit, a very pleasant mouthful of wine. A little sweetness, perhaps from the alcohol, but it was not obtrusive.
Problème de bouteille, mauvaise passe ? Le vin est très discret au nez, livrant quelques fruits et des épices. Il est aqueux et très court en bouche. A revoir
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From memory. A dark blood red / black color. Still quite young in appearance. On the nose, blackberry, cassis, pencil shavings, and some vanilla. The palate was nicely balanced, and rich with lots of dark fruit and berries. Still quite young with tannins that are quite dominant even with 13 years of age. One to revisit in 5 years.
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This wine pours medium purple in the glass. The nose smells of bourbon: alcohol, vanilla, iron, and vague prunes. The palate is astringent, dominated by wood tannin and alcohol. 14% on the label. One of the most awful Bordeaux I've ever had.
Monthly Tasting Group HWS: Bordeaux 2005 vs 2009 (by DJ): Rustic and beautiful bouquet with some barnyard, dark berries, toast and chocolate. On the palate rustic as well with juicy black and red berries, chocolate and beautiful acidity and tannin with a long future. Enormous length. Beautiful wine. 93+
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This is a finesse wine from St. Estephe. Decanted 3 hours before serving and imbibing over 90 minutes. Still needs some time in the cellar. The nose is reticent, but I suspect that within 24 months it will emerge. The rest of the wine is firing on all cylinders.
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As with most left-bank '09s, this was absolutely ready to go. Opened 4 hours before serving (paired with beef tenderloin, no decant).
Initial nose - leaning modern, new oak, vanilla, cassis, cherries. In the glass, developed nicely and revealed some more earthy notes, leather, pepper. Mouth - medium bodied, good structure, well balanced fruit and acidity. Decent finish with plenty of tannin that is already integrating well.
A straightforward effort that doesn't rise to any level of greatness, but still a solid and tasty bordeaux that is ready now and can be enjoyable with the right cut of meat.
89 points.
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Ikke dekantert. Vag nedtur etter 2 siste glass Clos St. Martin 2009, men det skulle bare mangle. En litt baktung St. Est. Ingenting å sette fingeren på, litt fet, uten at det støttes opp. Kjedelig dag 2. For fet.
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Nez intense, complexe et envoûtant : beaucoup d'épices, menthol, notes boisées, fruits noirs, note minérale...Bouche d'une grande intensité aromatique, tanins fondus, boisé intégré, équilibre et grand longueur ! Il ne manque que la race et l'élégance pour atteindre les sommets.
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Full and youthful nose. Still dense. Black fruit and blueberry. Cedar and some herbs. But still very closed. Slightly four-square. Fullish, slightly four-square palate. Tannic, but ripe tannins. Rich black Cabernet fruit. Cool. Black currant, plum and cedar. But still a long way from ready.
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Appearance: Bright and clear, the wine is of deep ruby colour, with fading rim and legs. Nose: Clean, with medium (+) intensity aromas of black fruit of blackberry and cassis, red fruit of plum, mineral notes of earth, kernel notes of leather, oak notes of cedar, maturity notes of savoury. The wine is developing. Palate: Dry with medium acidity, medium tannin of ripe and silky texture, medium (+) alcohol and medium (+) body, with medium intensity flavours of black fruit of blackberry and dark cherries, red fruit of plum, oak notes of cedar, animal notes of leather. The wine has a medium (+) finish. Conclusion: Very good quality St-Estephe with an intense nose showing good black fruit and plummy notes, with earthy and leather undertones supporting by nice cedary and hints of savoury. On the palate the wine is well-structured, with good balance and having good concentration of flavours and a fairly long finish. It is ready to drink now but can further develop for another 4-6 years.
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Exactly one year since my previous tasting note. Decanted for two hours. Pristine bottle. Hinting at evolution - but only just. On the whole it’s still a generous and youthful Saint-Estèphe, with aromas of fresh black cherries, lead pencil and subtle oak; lovely freshness and energy on the polished palate, finely grained tannins; spices and cherries on the finish. Developing slowly - attractive now, very good future.
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Cloyingly closed on opening. Nose of dark blackberry and cedar. Entry is sweet fruit on a cedar plank. A good weight and profile throughout with quite a bit of body if not energy. Delivers a complex finish of charred wood, leather and a fair bit of pepper. Quite long. Tannins well back but persistent. Again - quite long. Very tasty with a good life ahead.
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Lafon-Rochet is rarely a very refined wine, but it can be very satisfying, especially in a warm vintage like 2009, when the Cabernet-Sauvignon ripens completely. Good weight, lovely balance, well managed tannins. On its plateau of maturity, needs a few more years to develop its complexity. It should last until 2035 with ease.
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(7/18/20) Seems like a tough crowd here—or a lot of bottle variation. This bottle was a polished beauty and ready to drink by my tastes, and I didn’t find it to be quite so simplistic as other reviewers did. It was a wonderful mixture of mature and primary cabernet-driven characteristics. Everything was nicely balanced, and there was good concentration and intensity and a long finish. The tannins could have been a bit more resolved, perhaps, but I like a little tannic bite, so this worked for me; 14% abv. (****/17/94)
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Dark and soft fruited, pleasant, it had also well ripened, but not a very impressive after taste, not very remarkable. For 45€ one can get a better Bordeaux
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Like drink velvet - very engaging. Deeply coloured. Smooth, elegant with gentle tannins. Balanced fruit - currants and blackberry with a little leather/lead back taste. Very enjoyable.
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Dark black color indicative of Cab. You can tell it’s aged as it is soft but still has structure. Fairly one dimensional but quite enjoyable. Black fruits. Nose is a bit Muted. For sure a left bank Wine. Fairly simple though. Depending on price paid QPR is great. For sure a lower Classified Bordeaux but it’s also not an expensive wine.
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Similar to previous notes, this is quite rich and full-bodied even for the '09 vintage. Dark fruit abounds, this is a bit aloof, has a bit of pencil led and smoke. Showing great. Wish I had more.
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On the door step, two more years. It won't be great but it will be a very enjoyable mid weight, food loving Bordeaux that will pair perfectly with game or lamb stew and polenta. Cheers!
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Not nearly as open or integrated as the 2005 a couple weeks prior. Kind of lactic and a bit oaky with knees and elbows everywhere. Not backwards but still out of sorts. Good material. I think when things come together it will be quite good in a couple years.
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Showing what a decade of age can do, this is a beauty. The wine has added layers of complexity and richness. It is full, rich and round, with layers of ripe, spicy dark red fruits, espresso, tobacco, cedar and red plums. The round tannins give this a nice, juicy mouth feel.
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All restrained power. Good fruit with blackberry, dark plum and cloves. Balanced from the start through the impressive length. Medium to full bodied. Really nice expression of Bordeaux.
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More inviting and deeper than the one I had about six years ago, this has some flamboyance but is restrained and classic in style too. Lovely, elegance with some power and finesse. Medium to full-bodied with some camphor and smoke. 93+pts
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This is showing much better than it did a few years ago, when it was totally closed for business. Now this is enjoyable upon opening. It sports a purplish color that is starting to lighten to ruby. The nose is classically restrained and shows hallmark weedy currant scents with slight secondary notes. The palate is medium bodied and features vigorous fruit that is at least a few years away from maturity.
After a couple hour decant, this reveals glossy dark fruit with polished tannins. The nose develops leather and tobacco notes. Definitely better with a couple of hours of air, but this has some more filling out to do in the next decade.
I’ll check back on this in two or three years to be safe, but this has a nice trajectory that should last at apogee through 2030+. If you have a stash of these, it would be good to check one today to satiate curiosity.
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VinoLaprisco Tasting (Restaurant De Karpendonkse Hoeve *, Eindhoven, Netherlands): Lovely balance of Merlot richness and Cabernet freshness, gravelly transparency and depth from the clay, flowers and earth, development to apricot, powerful but without excessive weight, grainy tannins, slightly earthy but good precision, very good lemgth. More complete than the Batailley which accompanied it.
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Floral and aromatic with smooth, integrated tannins. Both soft and chewy with chocolate, sweet fruit, and a touch of earth. Detected a touch of heat on the finish but otherwise a very fine wine that is drinking very well now.
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This has entered its plateau of maturity, with all component parts in place. I like the aromatic purity and definition, and there is even a sense of transparency in this powerful wine. It has settled down by now, and the firm but ripe tannins should keep it going for another 10-15 years at least. Which is a boon, because it will need some of that time to develop its complexity. At present it is a bit direct, and maybe lacks some sophistication. Satisfying but not fascinating - yet?
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A little closed, not giving up such interest as a Pomerol served alongside. Dark fruits and cassis just peeking out behind the hibernation window. Rich and velvety texture and a very balanced palette.
Served with roast leg of lamb
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muted and offering nothing but some oaky spice.. modern styled bordeaux that's way too young, not very good, or in a dumb phase. will wait a few years before we find out what it really is. hard hold for now.
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Gravel, stone, unripe blackberry; pronounced, peaked rise, some fruit, some earth and medium length finish; good, though not particularly dynamic and certainly too young
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Stately and rich with highly polished glossy blackcurrant fruit. Freshly cured tobacco gives this a lovely earthy quality, but the fruit is the star. Pure and rounded, it's supple with a nice oak spice. Far too young and needs to calm down, but not without enjoyment now. Long finish makes your palate very happy.
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Very dark fruit on the nose, slight pencil shavings. On the palate very firm tannin are dominant which steal the thunder before you taste the dark fruits. Acidity super high. This needs time. Maybe 5 years? But has the stuffing to last.
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Decanted for two hours. Powerful but fresh, concentrated but not flashy, not even a hint of surmaturité, excellent mineral drive, really vibrant in the context of such a rich vintage, complete and firm, energetic, perfectly integrated oak, lovely purity of fruit, excellent balance and length. True to type, interesting to compare it in the mind to the 2014 tasted on Monday, which is much lighter in style, but also a very characteristic expression of the terroir. Unlike the 2014 however, this 2009 is a 25-30 year wine.
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Very nice nose of slightly baked fruit, a bit floral even. Entry is fruit driven as well with a nice midweight and full profile. Long ending of cedar, tobacco and white pepper.
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Planet of the Grapes (Planet of the Grapes, Bow Lane): Vinfaticide. Double decanted for about 2 hours. After another hour just began to blossom from brooding, bruising beast to beautiful black currant cored fruit bomb with polished oak. Impressive length and intensity. Very nice.
Deep purple color in the glass with subtle bricking. Subtle cassis with leather on the nose. And dark black fruits in perfect balance with the fresh acidity and modest evolving tannins.Pleasant lengthy finish.
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Dark with a touch of brick to the rim. Mid strength indescript but musty nose that opened to a nicely open fruit with balanced leather and cedar. Entry is lighter weight but savoury. Builds quickly to quite an herbal finish with nice tannins coming later. Strongly herbal finish without being green - leaves a minty or cedar aftertaste. This certainly needed a bit of air to come alive, but a vibrant bottle if more wood than fruit.
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Positive development from my bottle a year ago. Oak, fruit seem better integrated and did not take long to open up. Nose of vanilla and potent balanced black fruit. Not silky, but eleagant enough to soften/carry the weight. Just what I want in a bold Bordeaux at this level.
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A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, 13.5% ABV. Rich and complete nose, black forest fruits, lead pencil, cool earth, warm spices, perfectly integrated oak, lovely depth; the palate delivers good 2009-ripeness, but in a firm and energetic context, with lovely mineral freshness and drive, a savoury character, finely ground and ripe tannins, excellent balance; complete finish, very good length. Nothing opulent or overripe here, beautifully judged extraction. This is developing quite quickly but seemingly very well and it should have at least two decades in it. Good value for a 2009.
Weekly tasting group #195; St. Estephe (@ VD): Beautiful bouquet with dark forest fruits, some licorice, beautiful oak and some tobacco. On the palate juicy dark berries, graphite, licorice, some chocolate, beautiful acidity and a touch of sweetness. Fairly round, but still firm tannin. Reading back my note from 2012, it seems this wine developed for the better quicker than expected. It is still very youthful, but also very approachable already. Will probably be great to drink between 2018 and 2025 and possibly longer. Hope to taste it again around 2020 to reconsider its longevity. 91 for tonight.
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From 375ml. I was trying to catch this before the "big sleep" but it appears I was too late. Initially splash decanted and after 2hrs, this was giving up nothing so recorked for the following 48hrs. It helped integrate the oak but this seems shut down pretty hard as it was never very expressive. Concentrated, polished palate, that is quite tannic going into the finish. Very dark fruit profile, not atypical for St Estephe. This should be forgotten about for 10yrs or so. Has lots of upside. Score is for drinking today.
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A nice St. Estephe- not as rugged as some, almost a bit lighter approach, but still lots of character. The nose is black currant, leather, cola, vanilla, and a bit earthy. The flavor is dark fruit, a bit vegetal, light pepper, coffee, chocolate, with medium tannins. The finish is long and buttery. There are cheaper Bordeaux I like more, but it's still a pleasant glass, and one I would have again.
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Second Sunday Group: 2009 Bordeaux (Augie's): Opens with a woody overtone, with dark fruit and vanilla underneath. Tannic, featuring dark fruit, vanilla and toasted oak on the finish. Closed up as it sat. Red and dark fruit, vanilla on the nose and palate.
My #7, Domino's #6 Group #7, 62 pts
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Obviously needs a lot more time. We did decant for about 30 minutes but was still quite closed. You can tell there's a lot waiting in the wings for this one though.
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I'm particularly fond of Lafon Rochet. I find it to be classically styled and all the better for it. This '09 requires quite a bit of decanting and while it can show well enough now it is one of the '09s that really needs about eight to ten years to really come together. At the '10 UGC Bordeaux tasting in San Francisco, I tasted about 45+ Bordeaux and Lafon Rochet stood out as possibly the most impressive wine of the night, for price/value, for me.This '09 is quite reminiscent, though maybe the '10 has the edge. This wine is really to my taste.
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The quest for bargain Bordeaux 2009 continues. Had high hopes for this one but it doesn't really deliver. Thinnish and tart for the vintage. 89p for now.
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(tasted blind) Deep purple with ruby rim. Slightly confected black currant - quite generic, vanilla, spice, meaty notes, touches of biscuit. In the mouth medium plus acid, medium plus tannin, juicy black fruit, touches of cream, fine, persistent tannin, very long, spicy, slight alcohol warmth. Very nice.
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Après l'énorme déception du Phélan Ségur, je croyais revivre le même scénario avec le Lafon Rochet ce qui ne fut pas le cas du tout ! Le nez est plutôt discret mais nous donne tout de même des notes de cassis et de mûres. L'attaque en bouche est tout en fraîcheur avec une belle matière fruité en équilibre même si l'on ressent la présence des tannins. Le tout s'étire dans une longue finale ou les tannins reviennent et nous assèche la bouche.
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In the bouquet at first some barnyard, followed by cassis, other dark fruits and graphite. On the palate classical and good dark forest fruits as well. Good concentration and tannin. Compared to other 2009 wines the acidity is showing more prominent. Excellent wine though, probably entering maturity around 2020. 90+
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2009 Bordeaux Masterclass, Hilton Hotel, Sydney. Tasted blind. Like all the Left Bank wines, pretty shut down. Deep red. Soft floral and red fruit on the nose with some vanilla. Medium to full bodied. Spicy dark cherry and plum/prune palate. Firm, mouth-filling tannins. Medium to long finish.
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2009 Bordeaux at Tom's: Color dark garnet. Nose quite tight. With considerable swirling I got cherries and a whiff of bandaid. On palate this had overt tannin kicking off the medium length medium weight finish.
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Deep in color, with cedar wood, spice, blackberry and gravel scents, this medium/full bodied, tannic, masculine wine requires time before the ample tannins soften and everything comes together.
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3/26/2024 - O'Meara wrote:
Similar to my note from 2022. It is smooth but reticent. I wonder if this will ever be a generous wine like many of the 2009 Bdx. Time will tell. Hold if you can.
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3/25/2024 - steveiiiiii Likes this wine: 89 Points
A little disjointed on palate but evolved nose with some tertiary aromas. Pronounced oak still but the wine seems to be fully mature. Followed over 1,5 hrs in glass.
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3/9/2024 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Tenth bottle from two full cases purchased en primeur from a reputable Dutch merchant. Pristine bottle, not decanted as it did not seem to need it. Showing well, and holding up well on the second day. Black fruit, lead pencil, flowers and cream, blonde tobacco, good weight (14% ABV) and freshness, finely grained tannins, minty finish with very good length. Drinking well now and over the next decade.
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1/26/2024 - vulgar little monkey wrote: 87 Points
Odd and disjoint showing. I can't discount low level TCA. Seemed a bit hot. Tasting from the open bottle the next day, it has come together a little bit more but still seems to have elements that aren't in harmony, but there is some depth to the fruit. I'll wait a few years and try again.
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1/14/2024 - Chrysostomus Likes this wine: 91 Points
Meyney was my first left bank 2009' Bordeaux a few weeks ago and it delivered well, so I had to try another 2009er. Gave it 4 hours of air in a decanter. Perfect bottle, perfect cork. The nose was fresh, dark, with menthol and some cigar box. On the palate there were black fruits again, but not too much of them. The tannins are silky, overall-impression is very smooth, but the longer you have it in your glass, the more the tannins start to dry out. The wine doesn't develope in the glass, the first glass was the best. It even starts to decline, cause the tannins start to "bite" and cover your tongue till there is nothing left than a silky curtain...
92 points in the nose and at the beginning, 90 points at the end, 91 pts. overall.
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12/26/2023 - WineFrogg Likes this wine: 93 Points
I agree with most of what has been said already. This is a great St Estephe–in the making. For me, there are still about 3-4 years left to reach its peak, judging by the level of acidity and heat. Not that it isn't enjoyable right now–it is actually very good. Of course, after 14 years in barrel and bottle, it may sound a bit strange to call a wine still 'young'. But this is a St Estephe and it is still young... It may just be one of those wines that truly deserve some more cellaring to bing out the very best, because judging at what is there already, the very best could be truly outstanding. Drink 2026-2029.
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10/10/2023 - Ozen Likes this wine: 93 Points
The 2009 has been put very well together at this domain. One of my favourites of the more affordable wines from the Grand Cru Bordeaux stables and truly pleasurable. Fully mature now, well balanced, good fruit and very smooth makes this a winner. Worth every penny. Enough staying power for a few more years at its peak.
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7/26/2023 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Ninth bottle from two full cases purchased en primeur from a reputable Dutch merchant. Pristine bottle, decanted for two hours. Has developed well since my previous tasting note from November 2021, and the development seems to be picking up pace. It seems to be coming together really nicely right now, demonstrating a lovely aromatic interplay of creamy cherries, cedar, gravel, and lead pencil. The palate has good body and weight (14% ABV), marrying richness and freshness, supported by firm but finely grained tannins. The finish has good length, displaying lovely minty notes. Well-balanced, clear expression, comfortably on its plateau of maturity with at least another 10 years in the tank.
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6/1/2023 - fussyeater wrote:
Crimson. Graphite, cedar and cassis on the nose. Slightly grainy tannins and fairly restrained and savoury on the midpalate with well judged acidity. Approaching the foothills of tertiary. Classy and correct. Not shouting "I'm a 2009 from the rooftops"!
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3/23/2023 - macmac007 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Found this at a London Soho restaurant for decent price. Full flavor to go with my roast pork - more herby than fruit, quite austere but opened up nicely. Very solid and will improve gently for another 5-10 years in a proper cellar.
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1/17/2023 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted briefly. A bit reticent and improved with air. Beautifully balanced Medoc with savory dark fruit, herbed acid, fine tannins. Excellent mid-priced Bordeaux.
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12/21/2022 - CC_H Likes this wine: 90 Points
Mixed bag with this one after very high hopes. Planned to drink over a few days alongside some other bottles so initially popped and poured. On first impressions it exploded out of the glass with loads of blackberry, cedar, pencil shavings and cigar box with a palate of rich dark fruits that finished slightly austere. I expected it to gain in depth and complexity but over the next couple of days it just became quite disjointed and difficult. By day 3 it had lost its opulence and hardened right up with a grainy finish. Looking at the other notes here I think it's just going through a rough phase. I wouldn't want to totally dismiss it as there is potential but let's see in a couple of years. Disappointing for now.
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11/18/2022 - Patrick_from_champagne Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Bottle drunk over 4 days which really struggled to show up. I gave up as the wine lacked balance and fruit. During the first two days we had a slightly heavy wine, with too much alcohol and a lack of acidity.
On the third day we begin to have a slightly more affordable wine, a balance that is set up and (a little) fruit aromas that will appear. Notes taken on day 3:
Deep violet red color.
The nose remains discreet even after a long aeration, notes of small black fruits, pepper, tobacco, elegant oak, light leather, raspberry, hint of mint, espresso,
Medium acidity, very present tannins, even slightly rough, slight alcoholic hint
The mouth is very played, there is volume on the attack then a final which will be lighter. The aromas perceived in the mouth are sunny and on cocoa, mocha, coffee...with a very light fruit.
Some will appreciate this wine… on my side, not too much of a fan like many 2009s.
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10/24/2022 - englishman's claret wrote:
The nose here is still demure, but showing some promising clay and berry. The sapidity and depth of the rich blueberry compote on the palate is actually something of a surprise and quite admirable. Fullish but not fat, with a clay-like earthiness.
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10/1/2022 - Ibetian wrote: 91 Points
After seeing back to back notes on this wine of 75 and 93, I got my case out of long term storage and started popping corks.
P agreed that 93 was the right rating. I think that is a little generous, but 75 doesn’t come close, IMO.
Decanting helps, those it doesn’t have to be long, 30-60 minutes are fine. Nice fruit, a very pleasant mouthful of wine. A little sweetness, perhaps from the alcohol, but it was not obtrusive.
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9/19/2022 - Jeanda Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Problème de bouteille, mauvaise passe ? Le vin est très discret au nez, livrant quelques fruits et des épices. Il est aqueux et très court en bouche. A revoir
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8/17/2022 - SB5784 Likes this wine: 90 Points
From memory. A dark blood red / black color. Still quite young in appearance. On the nose, blackberry, cassis, pencil shavings, and some vanilla. The palate was nicely balanced, and rich with lots of dark fruit and berries. Still quite young with tannins that are quite dominant even with 13 years of age. One to revisit in 5 years.
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5/20/2022 - Wine Canuck wrote: 75 Points
This wine pours medium purple in the glass. The nose smells of bourbon: alcohol, vanilla, iron, and vague prunes. The palate is astringent, dominated by wood tannin and alcohol. 14% on the label. One of the most awful Bordeaux I've ever had.
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4/13/2022 - Zweder wrote: 93 Points
Monthly Tasting Group HWS: Bordeaux 2005 vs 2009 (by DJ): Rustic and beautiful bouquet with some barnyard, dark berries, toast and chocolate. On the palate rustic as well with juicy black and red berries, chocolate and beautiful acidity and tannin with a long future. Enormous length. Beautiful wine. 93+
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4/10/2022 - O'Meara Likes this wine:
This is a finesse wine from St. Estephe. Decanted 3 hours before serving and imbibing over 90 minutes. Still needs some time in the cellar. The nose is reticent, but I suspect that within 24 months it will emerge. The rest of the wine is firing on all cylinders.
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4/8/2022 - Harrie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very smooth and pleasant, great spot to drink now. Five year window, possibly more.
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2/26/2022 - Leidersdorff Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic leftbank. I really liked it. Not blown away but very good. Classic Bdx nose and taste. Would buy again.
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2/6/2022 - DanielAVTL Likes this wine: 89 Points
As with most left-bank '09s, this was absolutely ready to go. Opened 4 hours before serving (paired with beef tenderloin, no decant).
Initial nose - leaning modern, new oak, vanilla, cassis, cherries. In the glass, developed nicely and revealed some more earthy notes, leather, pepper. Mouth - medium bodied, good structure, well balanced fruit and acidity. Decent finish with plenty of tannin that is already integrating well.
A straightforward effort that doesn't rise to any level of greatness, but still a solid and tasty bordeaux that is ready now and can be enjoyable with the right cut of meat.
89 points.
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2/1/2022 - popopdrops wrote: 87 Points
Ikke dekantert. Vag nedtur etter 2 siste glass Clos St. Martin 2009, men det skulle bare mangle. En litt baktung St. Est. Ingenting å sette fingeren på, litt fet, uten at det støttes opp. Kjedelig dag 2. For fet.
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1/19/2022 - Jeanda Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nez intense, complexe et envoûtant : beaucoup d'épices, menthol, notes boisées, fruits noirs, note minérale...Bouche d'une grande intensité aromatique, tanins fondus, boisé intégré, équilibre et grand longueur ! Il ne manque que la race et l'élégance pour atteindre les sommets.
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12/31/2021 - Argrath wrote: 92 Points
Full and youthful nose. Still dense. Black fruit and blueberry. Cedar and some herbs. But still very closed. Slightly four-square.
Fullish, slightly four-square palate. Tannic, but ripe tannins. Rich black Cabernet fruit. Cool. Black currant, plum and cedar. But still a long way from ready.
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12/29/2021 - peterchoy wrote: 91 Points
Appearance: Bright and clear, the wine is of deep ruby colour, with fading rim and legs.
Nose: Clean, with medium (+) intensity aromas of black fruit of blackberry and cassis, red fruit of plum, mineral notes of earth, kernel notes of leather, oak notes of cedar, maturity notes of savoury. The wine is developing.
Palate: Dry with medium acidity, medium tannin of ripe and silky texture, medium (+) alcohol and medium (+) body, with medium intensity flavours of black fruit of blackberry and dark cherries, red fruit of plum, oak notes of cedar, animal notes of leather. The wine has a medium (+) finish.
Conclusion: Very good quality St-Estephe with an intense nose showing good black fruit and plummy notes, with earthy and leather undertones supporting by nice cedary and hints of savoury. On the palate the wine is well-structured, with good balance and having good concentration of flavours and a fairly long finish. It is ready to drink now but can further develop for another 4-6 years.
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11/4/2021 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Exactly one year since my previous tasting note. Decanted for two hours. Pristine bottle. Hinting at evolution - but only just. On the whole it’s still a generous and youthful Saint-Estèphe, with aromas of fresh black cherries, lead pencil and subtle oak; lovely freshness and energy on the polished palate, finely grained tannins; spices and cherries on the finish. Developing slowly - attractive now, very good future.
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7/2/2021 - Harrie Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose signals it’s ready for drinking. Balanced, mellow.
Mouth is good, lacks a bit of strength at the end.
Overall solid Bordeaux
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6/21/2021 - riskun Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cloyingly closed on opening. Nose of dark blackberry and cedar. Entry is sweet fruit on a cedar plank. A good weight and profile throughout with quite a bit of body if not energy. Delivers a complex finish of charred wood, leather and a fair bit of pepper. Quite long. Tannins well back but persistent. Again - quite long. Very tasty with a good life ahead.
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3/10/2021 - popopdrops wrote: 88 Points
Pen, på det jevne. Også dag 2. Og dag 7!
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1/21/2021 - popopdrops wrote: 90 Points
Ikke dekantert. Nydelig nese, munn følger opp. Har utviklet seg pent på 1 år. Lovende.
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11/4/2020 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Lafon-Rochet is rarely a very refined wine, but it can be very satisfying, especially in a warm vintage like 2009, when the Cabernet-Sauvignon ripens completely. Good weight, lovely balance, well managed tannins. On its plateau of maturity, needs a few more years to develop its complexity. It should last until 2035 with ease.
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7/19/2020 - Jake Barnes Likes this wine: 94 Points
(7/18/20) Seems like a tough crowd here—or a lot of bottle variation. This bottle was a polished beauty and ready to drink by my tastes, and I didn’t find it to be quite so simplistic as other reviewers did. It was a wonderful mixture of mature and primary cabernet-driven characteristics. Everything was nicely balanced, and there was good concentration and intensity and a long finish. The tannins could have been a bit more resolved, perhaps, but I like a little tannic bite, so this worked for me; 14% abv. (****/17/94)
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7/18/2020 - Chet Pike wrote: 88 Points
Entering its prime drinking now! Drink over the 3-5 years.
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6/9/2020 - Fwmsmeets Likes this wine: 89 Points
Dark and soft fruited, pleasant, it had also well ripened, but not a very impressive after taste, not very remarkable. For 45€ one can get a better Bordeaux
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4/25/2020 - SWatson Likes this wine: 90 Points
perfectly drinkable and enjoyable. nothing special but not at all bad for the price
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4/7/2020 - up4wine wrote:
Very nice wine, but maybe a little over extracted for my taste.
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3/13/2020 - nwebstar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Like drink velvet - very engaging. Deeply coloured. Smooth, elegant with gentle tannins. Balanced fruit - currants and blackberry with a little leather/lead back taste. Very enjoyable.
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3/6/2020 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark black color indicative of Cab. You can tell it’s aged as it is soft but still has structure. Fairly one dimensional but quite enjoyable. Black fruits. Nose is a bit Muted. For sure a left bank Wine. Fairly simple though. Depending on price paid QPR is great. For sure a lower Classified Bordeaux but it’s also not an expensive wine.
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2/27/2020 - John McCabe wrote: 93 Points
Similar to previous notes, this is quite rich and full-bodied even for the '09 vintage. Dark fruit abounds, this is a bit aloof, has a bit of pencil led and smoke. Showing great. Wish I had more.
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12/29/2019 - Louboutin wrote:
Nice ripe black fruit with excellent acidity and noticeable tannin. Decanted 2 hrs ahead of meal. Perfect with roasted duck breast with Porto sauce
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12/6/2019 - TJ1967 Likes this wine: 91 Points
On the door step, two more years. It won't be great but it will be a very enjoyable mid weight, food loving Bordeaux that will pair perfectly with game or lamb stew and polenta. Cheers!
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12/4/2019 - vulgar little monkey wrote: 89 Points
Not nearly as open or integrated as the 2005 a couple weeks prior. Kind of lactic and a bit oaky with knees and elbows everywhere. Not backwards but still out of sorts. Good material. I think when things come together it will be quite good in a couple years.
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11/21/2019 - popopdrops wrote: 88 Points
Kort dekant. Rå. Tar seg opp. Ung.
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9/20/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Showing what a decade of age can do, this is a beauty. The wine has added layers of complexity and richness. It is full, rich and round, with layers of ripe, spicy dark red fruits, espresso, tobacco, cedar and red plums. The round tannins give this a nice, juicy mouth feel.
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9/8/2019 - Andrew67 Likes this wine: 93 Points
All restrained power. Good fruit with blackberry, dark plum and cloves. Balanced from the start through the impressive length. Medium to full bodied. Really nice expression of Bordeaux.
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7/15/2019 - John McCabe wrote: 93 Points
More inviting and deeper than the one I had about six years ago, this has some flamboyance but is restrained and classic in style too. Lovely, elegance with some power and finesse. Medium to full-bodied with some camphor and smoke. 93+pts
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7/6/2019 - O'Meara Likes this wine:
This is showing much better than it did a few years ago, when it was totally closed for business. Now this is enjoyable upon opening. It sports a purplish color that is starting to lighten to ruby. The nose is classically restrained and shows hallmark weedy currant scents with slight secondary notes. The palate is medium bodied and features vigorous fruit that is at least a few years away from maturity.
After a couple hour decant, this reveals glossy dark fruit with polished tannins. The nose develops leather and tobacco notes. Definitely better with a couple of hours of air, but this has some more filling out to do in the next decade.
I’ll check back on this in two or three years to be safe, but this has a nice trajectory that should last at apogee through 2030+. If you have a stash of these, it would be good to check one today to satiate curiosity.
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3/21/2019 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
VinoLaprisco Tasting (Restaurant De Karpendonkse Hoeve *, Eindhoven, Netherlands): Lovely balance of Merlot richness and Cabernet freshness, gravelly transparency and depth from the clay, flowers and earth, development to apricot, powerful but without excessive weight, grainy tannins, slightly earthy but good precision, very good lemgth. More complete than the Batailley which accompanied it.
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3/3/2019 - Chateau du Fey 1994 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Floral and aromatic with smooth, integrated tannins. Both soft and chewy with chocolate, sweet fruit, and a touch of earth. Detected a touch of heat on the finish but otherwise a very fine wine that is drinking very well now.
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1/20/2019 - hub88 wrote: 95 Points
bu avec Robert. Un nectar
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12/9/2018 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 Points
This has entered its plateau of maturity, with all component parts in place. I like the aromatic purity and definition, and there is even a sense of transparency in this powerful wine. It has settled down by now, and the firm but ripe tannins should keep it going for another 10-15 years at least. Which is a boon, because it will need some of that time to develop its complexity. At present it is a bit direct, and maybe lacks some sophistication. Satisfying but not fascinating - yet?
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9/3/2018 - Aleks Che wrote: 90 Points
CHE90
Juicy , a lot of berries good Bordeaux.
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5/26/2018 - VinVet Likes this wine: 88 Points
Corn husk and black fruit nose. Cassis, blackberry with good acidity and slightly chewy tannins on the palate. Modest length finish.
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3/31/2018 - bigberrypicker Likes this wine: 89 Points
A little closed, not giving up such interest as a Pomerol served alongside. Dark fruits and cassis just peeking out behind the hibernation window. Rich and velvety texture and a very balanced palette.
Served with roast leg of lamb
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12/25/2017 - mye wrote:
muted and offering nothing but some oaky spice..
modern styled bordeaux that's way too young, not very good, or in a dumb phase. will wait a few years before we find out what it really is.
hard hold for now.
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10/31/2017 - wineappreciation wrote: 91 Points
Gravel, stone, unripe blackberry; pronounced, peaked rise, some fruit, some earth and medium length finish; good, though not particularly dynamic and certainly too young
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7/11/2017 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 93 Points
Stately and rich with highly polished glossy blackcurrant fruit. Freshly cured tobacco gives this a lovely earthy quality, but the fruit is the star. Pure and rounded, it's supple with a nice oak spice. Far too young and needs to calm down, but not without enjoyment now. Long finish makes your palate very happy.
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7/7/2017 - W!neNot? Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very dark fruit on the nose, slight pencil shavings. On the palate very firm tannin are dominant which steal the thunder before you taste the dark fruits. Acidity super high. This needs time. Maybe 5 years? But has the stuffing to last.
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3/15/2017 - Superoreo wrote: 87 Points
Disappointing
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3/9/2017 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for two hours. Powerful but fresh, concentrated but not flashy, not even a hint of surmaturité, excellent mineral drive, really vibrant in the context of such a rich vintage, complete and firm, energetic, perfectly integrated oak, lovely purity of fruit, excellent balance and length. True to type, interesting to compare it in the mind to the 2014 tasted on Monday, which is much lighter in style, but also a very characteristic expression of the terroir. Unlike the 2014 however, this 2009 is a 25-30 year wine.
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12/29/2016 - riskun Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice nose of slightly baked fruit, a bit floral even. Entry is fruit driven as well with a nice midweight and full profile. Long ending of cedar, tobacco and white pepper.
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12/25/2016 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 89 Points
Hold for 5 years...too young
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9/23/2016 - chatters wrote:
Planet of the Grapes (Planet of the Grapes, Bow Lane): Vinfaticide. Double decanted for about 2 hours. After another hour just began to blossom from brooding, bruising beast to beautiful black currant cored fruit bomb with polished oak. Impressive length and intensity. Very nice.
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6/29/2016 - VinVet Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep purple color in the glass with subtle bricking. Subtle cassis with leather on the nose. And dark black fruits in perfect balance with the fresh acidity and modest evolving tannins.Pleasant lengthy finish.
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5/25/2016 - riskun Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark with a touch of brick to the rim. Mid strength indescript but musty nose that opened to a nicely open fruit with balanced leather and cedar. Entry is lighter weight but savoury. Builds quickly to quite an herbal finish with nice tannins coming later. Strongly herbal finish without being green - leaves a minty or cedar aftertaste. This certainly needed a bit of air to come alive, but a vibrant bottle if more wood than fruit.
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4/4/2016 - Sixchips600 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Positive development from my bottle a year ago. Oak, fruit seem better integrated and did not take long to open up. Nose of vanilla and potent balanced black fruit. Not silky, but eleagant enough to soften/carry the weight. Just what I want in a bold Bordeaux at this level.
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1/14/2016 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, 13.5% ABV. Rich and complete nose, black forest fruits, lead pencil, cool earth, warm spices, perfectly integrated oak, lovely depth; the palate delivers good 2009-ripeness, but in a firm and energetic context, with lovely mineral freshness and drive, a savoury character, finely ground and ripe tannins, excellent balance; complete finish, very good length. Nothing opulent or overripe here, beautifully judged extraction. This is developing quite quickly but seemingly very well and it should have at least two decades in it. Good value for a 2009.
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12/7/2015 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
Weekly tasting group #195; St. Estephe (@ VD): Beautiful bouquet with dark forest fruits, some licorice, beautiful oak and some tobacco. On the palate juicy dark berries, graphite, licorice, some chocolate, beautiful acidity and a touch of sweetness. Fairly round, but still firm tannin. Reading back my note from 2012, it seems this wine developed for the better quicker than expected. It is still very youthful, but also very approachable already. Will probably be great to drink between 2018 and 2025 and possibly longer. Hope to taste it again around 2020 to reconsider its longevity. 91 for tonight.
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4/25/2015 - cab blends wrote: 90 Points
AHA Heart's Delight Bordeaux Master Class 2015: Strong tannins at 8.5 - better for me than the 2012. A light fruity start (just a hint) that never moves from the hint it starts with.
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4/25/2015 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 90 Points
Heart's Delight Bordeaux Master Class (Omni Hotel and Resort Washington DC): Nose was off putting but finish was very nice
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4/10/2015 - DSR wrote: 90 Points
Drinking great right now. Solid Bordeaux, well-balanced.
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3/29/2015 - Sixchips600 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Primary with some very elegant oak.
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12/24/2014 - Nutty08 wrote: 89 Points
From 375ml. I was trying to catch this before the "big sleep" but it appears I was too late. Initially splash decanted and after 2hrs, this was giving up nothing so recorked for the following 48hrs. It helped integrate the oak but this seems shut down pretty hard as it was never very expressive. Concentrated, polished palate, that is quite tannic going into the finish. Very dark fruit profile, not atypical for St Estephe. This should be forgotten about for 10yrs or so. Has lots of upside. Score is for drinking today.
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12/9/2014 - politeskeptic Likes this wine: 90 Points
A nice St. Estephe- not as rugged as some, almost a bit lighter approach, but still lots of character. The nose is black currant, leather, cola, vanilla, and a bit earthy. The flavor is dark fruit, a bit vegetal, light pepper, coffee, chocolate, with medium tannins. The finish is long and buttery. There are cheaper Bordeaux I like more, but it's still a pleasant glass, and one I would have again.
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9/14/2014 - AllRed wrote: 88 Points
Second Sunday Group: 2009 Bordeaux (Augie's): Opens with a woody overtone, with dark fruit and vanilla underneath. Tannic, featuring dark fruit, vanilla and toasted oak on the finish. Closed up as it sat. Red and dark fruit, vanilla on the nose and palate.
My #7, Domino's #6
Group #7, 62 pts
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10/13/2013 - slippytoad Likes this wine: 92 Points
Obviously needs a lot more time. We did decant for about 30 minutes but was still quite closed. You can tell there's a lot waiting in the wings for this one though.
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10/13/2013 - John McCabe wrote: 93 Points
I'm particularly fond of Lafon Rochet. I find it to be classically styled and all the better for it. This '09 requires quite a bit of decanting and while it can show well enough now it is one of the '09s that really needs about eight to ten years to really come together. At the '10 UGC Bordeaux tasting in San Francisco, I tasted about 45+ Bordeaux and Lafon Rochet stood out as possibly the most impressive wine of the night, for price/value, for me.This '09 is quite reminiscent, though maybe the '10 has the edge. This wine is really to my taste.
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7/24/2013 - Tavastgatan wrote: 89 Points
The quest for bargain Bordeaux 2009 continues. Had high hopes for this one but it doesn't really deliver. Thinnish and tart for the vintage. 89p for now.
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5/28/2013 - chatters wrote:
(tasted blind) Deep purple with ruby rim. Slightly confected black currant - quite generic, vanilla, spice, meaty notes, touches of biscuit. In the mouth medium plus acid, medium plus tannin, juicy black fruit, touches of cream, fine, persistent tannin, very long, spicy, slight alcohol warmth. Very nice.
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1/27/2013 - Pedro the Lion wrote: 90 Points
Après l'énorme déception du Phélan Ségur, je croyais revivre le même scénario avec le Lafon Rochet ce qui ne fut pas le cas du tout ! Le nez est plutôt discret mais nous donne tout de même des notes de cassis et de mûres. L'attaque en bouche est tout en fraîcheur avec une belle matière fruité en équilibre même si l'on ressent la présence des tannins. Le tout s'étire dans une longue finale ou les tannins reviennent et nous assèche la bouche.
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12/1/2012 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
In the bouquet at first some barnyard, followed by cassis, other dark fruits and graphite. On the palate classical and good dark forest fruits as well. Good concentration and tannin. Compared to other 2009 wines the acidity is showing more prominent. Excellent wine though, probably entering maturity around 2020. 90+
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11/25/2012 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Annual Grand Cru Tasting (Wijnhandel De Gouden Leeuw, Voorschoten, NL): Excellent weight of ripe fruit, complete, savoury, good acidity, the extraction may be a bit ambitious but I think it will turn out allright.
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11/12/2012 - wenderoth wrote: 86 Points
2009 Bordeaux Masterclass, Hilton Hotel, Sydney. Tasted blind. Like all the Left Bank wines, pretty shut down. Deep red. Soft floral and red fruit on the nose with some vanilla. Medium to full bodied. Spicy dark cherry and plum/prune palate. Firm, mouth-filling tannins. Medium to long finish.
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7/18/2012 - chcook wrote:
2009 Bordeaux at Tom's: Color dark garnet. Nose quite tight. With considerable swirling I got cherries and a whiff of bandaid. On palate this had overt tannin kicking off the medium length medium weight finish.
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5/5/2012 - cab blends wrote: 90 Points
AHA - 2009 Bordeaux Wine Tasting with Bernard Burtschy (Washington DC): Bright red with a small hint of berries on the nose. Heavy tannins and dark graphite finish.
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1/31/2012 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
2009 Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux Tasting; 1/27/2012-1/31/2012 (Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Chicago, Illinois): A very good effort but not close to the quality of the 2000 vintage. Violet red color. Lead pencil, saddle leather and berry notes. Bulky tannins and a dry finish. 88-91 points.
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1/26/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
Deep in color, with cedar wood, spice, blackberry and gravel scents, this medium/full bodied, tannic, masculine wine requires time before the ample tannins soften and everything comes together.
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10/18/2011 - vespasian wrote: 89 Points
Quite chocolatey dark fruit here. Pretty closed; Nice weight on the palate. Lots of extract. A bit jagged on the finish. Not my favourite. 88-90.
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