Tasting Report: A Few More 2009s, 100-point White

I found a couple of dozen 2009 Bordeaux reviews that I tasted in Hong Kong in late May during VinExpo, and they have not been posted yet. Most of the excitement of 2009 is long gone. And prices have fallen on many wines since the release of some of my reviews as well as Bob Parker’s.

However, the vintage is a great one. As I wrote earlier in the year, it’s seldom that a vintage such as 2009 comes to Bordeaux. The last time may have been 1989, or even 1982. Click here to read the report from earlier this year.

Anyway, there are some exciting wines that I have not reviewed in this mini-report – in particular the white of Pape Clément that I gave 100 points as will as its red: 98 points. The Pape blanc is a superb dry white showing density and richness yet strength and finesse. It’s structured like a top Montrachet. Shame so very little is made.

The red Pape is the best I have had from the estate ever – even better than the great 1970 or 1975. It has wonderful purity of fruit and spice character with polished tannins.

However, there were a number of “lesser known” wineries that I tasted including La Dominique, Marquis de Terme, Latour Martillac, and Fieuzal. That’s what is so great in 2009. It’s when wines that you normally don’t get super excited about make something very special.

I have included PDFs of all the 2009 Bordeaux tasted so far. They are listed alphabetically as well as by score.

Also tasted, but not receiving marks of 90 points or more:

2009 Chateau Fourcas-Dupre Listrac

2009 Chateau Rahoul Graves