Left Bank Wines

Château Potensac, MÉdoc 2009
Potensac has always been one of our favorite good value Médocs—in 2009 the time is 'as good as it gets' and is brilliant value for money.

Robert Parker, 89-91: "A sleep of a vintage, the 2009 is probably the finest Potensac ever made, eclipsing even the stunning 1982. This blend, dominated by both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, hit 13.9% alcohol, but pH is a normal 3.38. Dense, rich, and full-bodied with lots of freshness, the wine reveals abundant red and black current fruit, a distinctive minerality, and a plush, full-bodied mouth feel. It should drink well for 10-15 years."

Case of 12: €225.00 (In Bond)

Château Fourcas-Hosten, Listrac 2009 SOLD OUT Almost certainly the best estate in Listrac in the Médoc—a very classic Claret that has a long life ahead of. Drink 2016-2030.

Jancis Robinson, 17: "Dark crimson. Low-key but quite intriguing nose. Full and firm and dramatic. Really nicely balanced. Polished tannins. Appetising. Seems like the sort of wine that should be a pleasure to drink all its life. The best Fourcas Hosten I can remember tasting. Is this down to the new owners or the vintage."

Château Lanessan, Haut-MÉdoc 2009 SOLD OUT
An excellent 2009 from Médoc favourite Lanessan that is always great value.

Jancis Robinson, 16+: "Dark crimson. Toasty and appetising on the nose. Thick and dense and succulent, too. Good balance! Drink 2013-2018."

Grape Variety: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

ChÂteau Poujeaux, Moulis 2009 SOLD OUT
The outstanding Poujeaux 2009 is both a fabulous wine and extremely good value. Always a firm favourite of ours and in 2009—buy all you can afford. Drink 2014-2022."

Wine Spectator, 93-96: "Full and very velvety, with round juicy tannins. Creamy. New ownership here is really making a difference in wine quality; this is the best ever after maybe the 1929."

Robert Parker, 90-93*: "an outstanding wine of the vintage"

ChÂteau Senejac Cru Bourgeois, Haut-MÉdoc 2009 SOLD OUT
An exceptional biodynamic wine made by the Pontet Canet team Drink 2012-2020.

Robert Parker, 89-91: "With the vineyard managed by Alfred Tesseron’s team at Pontet-Canet, this is the first vintage from their biodynamically farmed estate, and it is certainly the best wine I have ever tasted from Senejac...oodles of blackcurrant fruits are intermixed with some licorice, underbrush, and forestry notes. Great fruit, a sumptuous, fleshy texture, and plenty of succulence and length make for a big, rich, nicely textured wine to drink over the next decade."

Grape Variety: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc

La Fleur de Peyrabon, Pauillac Cru Bourgeois 2009 SOLD OUT
An excellent hand-crafted Claret produced from vines that are situated between the heavy-weight Pauillac Châteaux: Lafite-Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild and Pontet Canet. Drink 2015-2018.

Wine Spectator, 89-92: "Sweet currant and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long and luscious finish. Juicy wine."

Grape Variety: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot

Sauternes

ChÂteau Rieussec 1er Cru, Sauternes 2009 SOLD OUT
We have just bought a small parcel of 25c/s of ' en primeur'. Owned by the Rothschilds and Château Lafite, Rieussec is one of the most illustrious Sauternes estates and on a par with Château Suduiraut. We are offering it at an astounding €385 a case (12 x 75cl bottles) in bond—40% below its opening priceEnprimeur and that of similarly ranked Sauternes. This is a complete one-off and a unique opportunity to acquire one of the great 2009 Sauturnes either as an investment or simply to enjoy in 5-50 years time. Maximum of 3c/s each on a first come first serve basis.

Robert Parker 95-97:"The minerality and stoniness really comes through on the nose of this Rieussec, more than the 2007. The palate is very well balanced with superb acidity, real tension, steely with great precision with notes of apricot, white peach and honey on the beautifully defined finish. Probably the best Rieussec since the astounding 2001."

Right Bank Wines

ChÂteau D’Aiguilhe, CÔtes de Castillon 2009 SOLD OUT
From the Canon la Gaffeliere stable and made by Master winemaker Stephane Deroncourt this is a very good, well made wine that will sell out very quickly.

Wine Spectator, Score: 90-93: "Spearmint, vanilla bean and dried dark fruits on the nose follow through to a full body, with silky tannins and a fruity finish. Still in reserve, but excellent."
"Tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare have produced a wine with terrific fuit intensity... it is will-made and impressively endowed. Enjoy it over the next 12 years (Tasted four times.) Drink 2014-2022."—Robert Parker

Château de La Dauphine, Fronsac 2009 From the hugely underrated Fronsac this was one of the best wines we tasted in March. Excellent value from a beautiful Château. Drink 2014-2022.

Wine Spectator, Score: 90-93: "Blackberry and blueberry galore on the nose. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and a beautiful finish. Rich, yet with finesse."

Jancis Robinson, 16.5: "Tiny yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare have produced a wine with terrific fuit intensity... it is will-made and impressively endowed. Enjoy it over the next 12 years (Tasted four times.) Drink 2014-2022."

ChÂteau Grand-Corbin-Despagne, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 SOLD OUT
A very highly rated St-Emilion Grand Cru that is always good value—especially so in 2009.

Robert Parker, 91-93: "A powerful, inky/purple color is followed by notes of graphite, crushed rocks, incense, blueberries, and blackberries. The flavors are concentrated, pure, dense, thick, and unctuous with plenty of tannin lurking under the surface. However, the tannin is well-concealed by the wine's enormous fruit, glycerin, and density. It should evolve for 15 or more years. As are many recent vintages of Grand-Corbin-Despagne, the 2009 is realistically priceEnprimeurd."

Decanter, 5 Stars: "Zesty, fragrant, harmonious. Delicious red berry fruit. Smooth, suave texture. Tannins long and refined. Drink 2015-2025. (16.5 points)"

ChÂteau Laforge, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 2009 SOLD OUT
A stunning St-Emilion Grand Cru from maverick wine producer Jonathan Maltus, who also produces the renowned 'garage' wine Le Dôme. Really high class merlot based wine that should drink beautifully for at least another 15 years.

Wine Spectator 90-93: "Blackberry and dark chocolate aromas follow through to a full body, with supersilky tannins and a beautiful finish with just a hint of coffee. Best ever?"

Grape Variety: 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc

Château La Prade, CÔtes de Francs 2009 SOLD OUT Superb Merlot-based wine from a tiny vineyard in the smallest of all Bordeaux appellations. Produced by Nicholas Thienpont, whose cousins run Le Pin and Vieux Château Certan. A great value wine—one to follow.

Wine Spectator, 87-90: "Fresh plum and berry aromas follow through to a medium body, with a good density of fruit and a medium finish."

Grape Variety: 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc

Château Teyssier, St-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 SOLD OUT
Teyssier is owned and run by the dynamic larger than life Jonathan Maltus, producer of top St-Emilion cult wine Le Dome (€1,000 a case+), with the assistance of Gilles Pauquet, oenologist at Cheval Blanc. A wine we have been following for some years. Delicious and one of our 'must have' 2009's that is exceptional value. Drink 2013—24.

Robert Parker, 89-91: "The 2009 Teyssier possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as smoky barbecue notes intermixed with creme de cassis, black cherries, and earth. Ripe, generous, and medium to full-bodied, it should drink beautifully young yet age for 10-12+ years."

Grape Variety: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc