Saint-Julien - 2009 Bordeaux Futures List - VINTAGES

Saint-Julien - Red Wine

BEYCHEVELLE
4^e Cru

200543 (XD) 750 mL

$105 per btl $315 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 92-94+ DEC: **** WS: 90-93 JR: 16.5 WE: 93-95 GD: 16.5 TJW: 9.4

TASTING NOTE: This is the finest Beychevelle since the 1982. The opaque purple-hued 2009 displays beautiful floral notes intermixed with notions of black raspberries and creme de cassis. The fruit hits the palate with a medium to full-bodied richness, and the wine possesses sweet, velvety tannins, stunning purity, and a layered mouthfeel that builds incrementally, combining power, concentration, density, and elegance. This 2009 should hit its stride in 5-7 years, and last three decades or more. A beauty! (Tasted three times.) Drink: 2015-2045. Score: 92-94+ (RP)

BRANAIRE DUCRU
4^e Cru

200493 (XD) 750 mL

$105 per btl $315 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 92-95 DEC: **** WS: 92-95 JR: 16.5+ WE: 92-94 GD: 16.5 TJW: 9.6

TASTING NOTE: Only time will tell whether the 2009, another great effort from Branaire, will eclipse the 2005 and 2003. Certainly at 13.6% alcohol it is the most powerful Branaire ever made, and the final blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot showcases what a great vintage 2009 is for Cabernet Sauvignon. An inky/blue/purple color is followed by raspberry, boysenberry, crushed rock, graphite, and floral notes, and an opaque, broad, dense, substantial, impressively structured wine without any hardness. It requires 4-5 years of cellaring, and should last four decades or more. (Tasted two times.) Drink: 2014-2054. Score: 92-95 (RP)

CLOS DU MARQUIS
2nd Wine of Ch. Léoville-Las Cases

200683 (XD) 750 mL

$84 per btl $252 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 91-93 DEC: **** WS: 89-92 JR: 17 WE: 92-94 GD: 17 TJW: 9.3+

TASTING NOTE: Ripe and surprisingly soft, the fruit rich with a touch of milk chocolate, very ripe. It is packed with generous blackberry juice flavors. Score: 92-94 (WE)

DUCRU-BEAUCAILLOU
2^e Cru

201848 (XD) 750 mL

$425 per btl $1,275 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 96-98+ DEC: ***** WS: 96-99 JR: 17 WE: 95-97 GD: 17.5 TJW: 9.7

TASTING NOTE: This has an impressive powerful and hearty structure, with seductive floral, currant and licorice aromas and flavors, showing powerful tannins at the end. This sneaks up on you at the end. Structured and very, very powerful. The blockbuster tannins are sweet and fruit-coated. This is a classic, powerful style of Ducru. May be best yet. Wow. Score: 96-99 (WS)

GLORIA

197509 (XD) 750 mL

$62 per btl $186 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 91-93* DEC: **** WS: 90-93 JR: 17 WE: 91-93 GD: 16.5 TJW: 9.2

TASTING NOTE: There have been many great Glorias over the years as this property consistently over-performs. The 2009 may be the finest yet produced. Loaded with notes of Christmas fruitcake intermixed with red and black currants, licorice, spice box, and blackberries, this inky/purple-colored wine is atypically full-bodied with a viscous texture, and loads of tannin, extract, and richness. Deep and layered, it will offer thrilling sipping over the next 25+ years. (Bottles of the 1982 I own are fully mature, but are not close to falling apart.) (Tasted two times.) Drink: 2010-2035. Score: 91-93* (RP)

GRUAUD-LAROSE
2^e Cru

198523 (XD) 750 mL

$99 per btl $297 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 92-94+ DEC: **** WS: 94-97 JR: 16.5 WE: 93-95 GD: 16

TASTING NOTE: Beautiful aromas of currant, black licorice and blueberry follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long, juicy finish. Big wine. Could be better than the classic 2000. Score: 94-97 (WS)

LA CROIX DE BEAUCAILLOU
2nd Wine of Ducru-Beaucaillou

201962 (XD) 750 mL

$65 per btl $195 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 88-90 DEC: **** WS: 89-92 JR: 16.5 WE: 92-94 GD: 16 TJW: 9.3+

TASTING NOTE: This has fruit, with delicious black berry fruits. It charms with elegance and ripeness at the same time as giving a core of tannin. Definitely on the fruity side. Score: 92-94 (WE)

LAGRANGE
3^e Cru

199372 (XD) 750 mL

$89 per btl $267 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 90-93 DEC: **** WS: 91-94 JR: 17 WE: 93-95 GD: 15.5 TJW: 9.4

TASTING NOTE: Tight wine, the tannins firm, giving considerable dryness. With its dark texture, this is solid, but finishing with the freshest of blackcurrant juice. Score: 93-95 (WE)

LALANDE BORIE

195552 (XD) 750 mL

$38 per btl $114 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 88-90* WS: 87-90 JR: 17 WE: 91-93 GD: 16 TJW: 9.2

TASTING NOTE: Rich and smooth, with tannins that are ripe, some spice and also intense acidity. The blackcurrant character is dominant. Score: 91-93 (WE)

LANGOA BARTON
3^e Cru

201061 (XD) 750 mL

$95 per btl $285 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 90-92+ DEC: **** WS: 90-93 JR: 16.5 WE: 94-96 GD: 16.5 TJW: 9.3

TASTING NOTE: Lots of new wood here, maybe too dominant. This is certainly a stage, because the fruit weight is also there to give a wine of considerable complexity, dry and solid. Score: 94-96 (WE)

LÉOVILLE BARTON
2^e Cru

201376 (XD) 750 mL

$149 per btl $447 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 93-95+ DEC: ***** WS: 92-95 JR: 17+ WE: 96-98 GD: 16 TJW: 9.5

TASTING NOTE: This behemoth possesses massive extraction, an opaque purple color, huge density, extreme tannins, and a nearly endless finish. Everything is there, but the highly extracted style and off the chart tannins ensures that no one over the age of forty will ever see this wine hit full maturity. Nevertheless, there is a lot to admire, and it-s good to taste a wine that will not be ready to drink for 30+ years. No compromise! Drink: 2040. (Tasted two times.) Score: 93-95+ (RP)

LÉOVILLE POYFERRÉ
2^e Cru

202754 (XD) 750 mL

$175 per btl $525 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 97-100* DEC: ***** WS: 93-96 JR: 17.5 WE: 93-95 GD: 16 TJW: 9.6

TASTING NOTE: One of the stars of the vintage, it will be interesting to see if Poyferre ultimately eclipses Las Cases as the finest of the three Leovilles. The 2009 is even better than the 2000, 2003, and 2005. Its inky/purple color precedes a wine filled with extraordinary opulence, voluptuous texture, and sweet tannin. It offers both intellectual and hedonistic pleasure with layer upon layer of ripe fruit. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare, the blend is more than two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, and the natural alcohol is the highest ever measured at this estate, 13.95%. The high alcohol is not the least bit noticeable because of the extraordinary concentration and freshness possessed by most 2009s - a vintage characteristic that will serve these wines for decades to come. This is a wine to purchase by the case-load. It should drink well for 30-45 years. (Tasted three times.) Score: 97-100* (RP)

LÉOVILLE-LAS CASES
2^e Cru

202747 (XD) 750 mL

$499 per btl $1,497 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 96-100 DEC: ***** WS: 97-100 JR: 18 GD: 17.5 TJW: 9.7+

TASTING NOTE: Black color. What a nose. Black licorice, raspberry, currant and dried flowers galore. Full-bodied and superpowerful, with masses of fruit and toasted oak, but a blockbuster finish of fruit, tannins and everything else. I have never tasted such a flashy sample. I am blown away by this. A more fruit-forward style for Las Cases. Score: 97-100 (WS)

LES FIEFS DE LAGRANGE
2nd Wine of Ch. Lagrange

197798 (XD) 750 mL

$38 per btl $114 per 3-btl. lot

TJW: 8.9

PETIT CAILLOU

195594 (XD) 750 mL

$39 per btl $117 per 3-btl. lot

This private bottling by Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is usually reserved for a small, select group of Bordeaux négociants. VINTAGES’ buyers managed to negotiate their very own allotment, and are excited to offer you an incredible value from a top-notch Saint-Julien château.

SAINT-PIERRE
4^e Cru

200709 (XD) 750 mL

$115 per btl $345 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 94-98* DEC: **** WS: 91-94 JR: 17+ WE: 95-97 TJW: 9.5

TASTING NOTE: This has been a fabulous wine over recent vintages, but I do not think many consumers have caught on. Of course, there is far less of this classified-growth St.-Julien than of any of the Leovilles, Beychevelle, Talbot, Gruaud Larose, or Branaire Ducru. Unbelievably powerful, rich, and impressive, this may be the finest St.-Pierre ever made. An inky/purple color is followed by notes of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and forest floor, a layered, full-bodied, powerful mouthfeel, perfect balance, and extraordinary richness, purity, and unctuosity. This great St.-Julien should hit its peak in 7-10 years, and last for 30-50. Bravo! (Tasted two times.) Drink: 2017-2067. Score: 94-98* (RP)

TALBOT
4^e Cru

200717 (XD) 750 mL

$89 per btl $267 per 3-btl. lot

RP: 92-94 DEC: **** WS: 92-95 JR: 17 WE: 93-95 GD: 15.5 TJW: 9.2

TASTING NOTE: A red with a solid core of blueberry and currant aromas, with spices too. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a balanced finish. Very pretty. Score: 92-95 (WS)

Saint-Julien - Red Wine

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