Vibrant magenta rim encompasses a ruby-black core. Aromas of black cherry and Asian spice leap out of the glass with notes of red and black fruit mineral clove mocha and forest floor. Medium-bodied this is fresh and lively with a classic structure that reveals hidden tannins countered with great balance of fruit. This beauty is not modern but neither is it old school and austere. It is quite complex with forward fruit and good length. This wine dazzles with bursts of flavors yet while still retaining its finesse. This great value claret will benefit from short term cellaring hitting an early prime in 3-5 years and cellaring well for 12+ years. The Fronsac appellation consistently offers outstanding wines in the 2009 vintage and Vieille Cure is one of the very best!

This property has made so many fine efforts lately that it is difficult to say the 2009 is better than their 2005. However, the 2009 is a charming, sexy, dense ruby/purple-colored offering displaying lots of ripe Merlot fruit intermixed with hints of charcoal, black raspberries, black currants, lead pencil shavings and truffles. This full-bodied, pure, nicely textured and layered Fronsac is a sleeper of the vintage that considerably over-performs for its modest price. Drink it over the next 15+ years. This is an obvious great value! - Robert M. Parker, Jr.