2009 Bordeaux

Dear Friends,

Everyone keeps asking me about 2009 Bordeaux - the dichotomy of “must have” and “must pass” has never been greater.

Case in point, yesterday’s 2009 Cantenac-Brown (WA94-96)(WS93-96), a Margaux that caused a flurry in the market – one of the more hotly contested wines of the campaign thus far. This was an example of a phenomena that will take hold more often than not with the 2009s – specifically, are you buying to drink or to sell? Unfortunately, I believe the latter represents more of the market. With the 2009 Cantenac-Brown, a wine that drinks like a flame-throwing framboise liquor from the Roussillon (see Jancis Robinson 16/20, Neil Martin 84-88pts or Tanzer 88pts), the only possible allure of this wine is the Parker score and the potential value down the road. If you are in any way a classicist, the 2009 Cantenac-Brown will simply be taking up space in your cellar – it’s that over-ripe and over-done. If, on the other hand, you are looking to profit, then we shall see if the Parker number is the only one that matters. Don’t forget, if Neil Martin takes over the Bordeaux duties at the Wine Advocate (which could be the very drawn out plan for the future), his score may become the Wine Advocate’s score...auctions do not like 84-88pt scores.

...which brings us to today’s offer. After countless inquires from all of you (not to mention journalists and magazines) asking for a $10 representation of the 2009 vintage that everyone can afford and understand, here you go.

The pride of Gisele and Daniel Vidal in the southeastern reaches of Bordeaux will give all of us a $8.99 read on the year and it will be here in the fall (not in 2012) to give you plenty of time to assess and reassess the vintage and its appeal. Keep in mind, not many people will get to “cheat” by drinking finished bottles of 2009 a year or two ahead of the delivery schedule on the classified growths. That should give you plenty of time to figure out a further strategy.

The 2009 Roc de Segur is a tidy representative of the year. 12.5% alcohol and very complete, the palate expands over 1-2 days with the uncanny, slathered quality that 2009 has over its predecessors but the wine remains mid-weight and deftly balanced. The difference between this and something like 2009 Cantenac-Brown is immediately apparent. For one, it’s $8.99 but of most importance, this wine never loses its Bordelaise heritage – it’s slightly cool but sweet tannins and noble grit – it never loses faith in Bordeaux. The 2009 Cantenac-Brown does just that – it overextends a playing field with a Christopher Columbus-style “the earth is flat” precipice and once you fall over the edge, who knows the demons, sea snakes and serpents that await in the underworld...

...or, you could simply enjoy this lovely everyday wine instead.

The margin here is so slim, I can only offer the wine in full 6 or 12-packs but I’m hard pressed to believe 6 bottles of this will go to waste anywhere - my guess is that most of you will consume an entire case of this by Christmas as the 2009 Roc de Segur sings out from its case on a Monday night like a 5:30 am rush to see what’s being hawked on Gilt...

Maximum of 25 cases per order – 300 bottles maximum (this wine should last for 6-8 years with ease).

ONE SHIPMENT ONLY directly from the winery cellar – I believe they are already sold out of the 2009:

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