2009 Wine from France

jamessuckling.com, 97 points: (97 points) A very rich and full-bodied Cristal that harks back to 2006 or 1989 in style. It's round and rich, which underlies the ripeness of the vintage. Lots of dried-apple and pineapple character with bread dough and...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: (97+ points) Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a little reticent to begin, slowly giving way to notions of warm black cherries, blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums and sautéed herbs...

Decanter, 97 points: This is delicious, with grilled cedar, cassis, blackberry and black pepper spice to the fore. For me it is the 2010 that is standing out in this tasting, but that's not always the case because the 2009 vintage is so...

TheWineCellarInsider.com, 100 points: If you are wondering what heaven in a glass feel, smells and tastes like, look no further. This is everything a great wine needs. The texture is pure silk and velvet. And speaking of purity, the fruit delivers that in...

TheWineCellarInsider.com, 99 points: Just starting to knock on the door of secondary aromatics, you can peek into the wine and find truffle, flowers, tobacco leaf, smoked cherries and spice. But that is only the beginning. Once you taste the wine and you...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 87 points: The second wine of this outstanding Fronsac estate, the 2009 La Sacristie de la Vieille Cure is virtually all Merlot. It possesses wonderfully sweet black cherry fruit, medium body, a lovely perfume, a supple, silky...

Wine Spectator, 89 points: A plump rounded style with friendly brioche white peach and floral notes offset by a hint of melon rind that keeps the finish balanced. Drink now. 500 cases made. -JM

Decanter, 96 points: On clay over limestone soils, relatively cool compared to Sauternes, this has a purity and freshness that is striking and moreish. Full of the quince, candied orange, truffle, apricot and lemon curd that you hope for in a...

Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: As always, this Pinot Noir-dominated Champagne is a great wine. In this vintage, it is fuller than usual, perhaps less structured—a true reflection of the vintage. Like all releases of this cuvée, the wine will age...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 d'Yquem bursts from the glass with gregarious crème caramel, allspice, dried apricots, mandarin peel and pineapple upside down cake scents plus a fragrant undercurrent of fungi...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 99 points: Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 Pape Clement struts flamboyantly out of the glass, featuring beautifully opulent preserved black fruits, Morello cherries and Chinese five spice with underlying notions of truffles...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: The 2009 Calon-Ségur is deep garnet in color and opens with a beautiful fragrance of redcurrant preserves, cassis, black cherry compote and red roses plus nuances of cigar box and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied and...

jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Pretty nose of blueberries, currants and blackberries, follows through to a full body, with ultra-refined tannins and polished, caressing texture. Very refined and long. Perhaps the best ever from here. Try after 2018.

jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Aromas of cocoa powder and currants, follow through to a full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a juicy, berry and chocolate aftertaste. Lovely polish to this. Try in 2018.

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: Showing beautifully, the 2009 Château Brane-Cantenac is loaded with classic Margaux notes of sandalwood, dried flowers, spice, truffle, and blackcurrants. Based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet...