Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Pontet-Canet prances out of the glass with exuberant notes of black cherry preserves, warm cassis, and boysenberries, followed by a powerful perfume of star anise, candied violets, fallen...

If you are a fan of L'Evangile and Pomerol, and of course, the disposable income, you cannot have enough of this magical elixir. This is bottled hedonism at its best. Opulent, expressive, aromatic, and sensuous, the wine...

(91-93 points)Barrel sample. Rich and smooth, with tannins that are ripe, some spice and also intense acidity. The blackcurrant character is dominant. ROGER VOSS

92-94 Barrel sample. Big, ripe, juicy wine, the tannins very solid and dark. It has layers of new wood, power and considerable density. — Roger Voss

The 2009 Rauzan-Gassies has a refined bouquet with blackberry, cedar and light graphite notes, maybe a little closed down though, it opens nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, and fine...