Bordeaux 2009: Best value, most improved, and what the experts buy(3)
Most improved chateaux
Steven Spurrier
Brane-Cantenac 18
Fine purple red, beautifully fragrant Cabernet nose, lovely expression of Margaux fruit, textured and dense, lifted and distinctive, both fleshy and classy, long and harmonious, very good. Drink 2015-30.
Saint-Pierre 17.5
Black red, elegantly concentrated blackcurrant fruit, quite leafy and lifted with a touch of licquorice spice, both floral and a little exotic, lovely rich, ripe fruit and good future. Drink 2015-25.
D'Armailhac 17.5
Dense purple red, lovely expression of ripe blackcurrant fruit, polished, classy, seductive and impressive, beautiful texture and length, totally charming Pauilac that will age well. Drink 2014-25.
Latour-Martillac 17.5
Black red, well-concentrated cassis fruit with good florality, fine earthy/leafy/fleshy palate, with good length, presence and grip, has both vigour and class. Drink 2016-28.
Capbern-Gasqueton 17
Black red, classic Saint-Estèphe nose that blends power and finesse with a satiny texture and great depth, a very good wine. Drink 2014-20.
James Lawther MW
Beauséjour HDL 17.5
First vintage with Stéphane Derenoncourt as consultant and clearly a change for the best. Aromatically purer, better fruit expression and tannins with a finer edge. Drink 2016-2030.
Nénin 17.5
A great success this year. The best of the Delon era. Rich and intense. Voluptuous texture. Fine, firm tannins. More Pomerol seduction than in the past. Drink 2018-2030.
La Dominique 16.5
Fresh and focused. Pure, lifted aromas. Finely worked tannins. La Dominique back at the top of its game. Drink 2015-2025.
La Pointe 16.5
The best La Pointe in a number of years. Changes at the property clearly having an effect. Ripe, perfumed with a lifted Burgundian nuance. Fine, smooth tannins. Drink 2015-2028.
Villemaurine 16.5
Continues the progress seen from 2007. Layered fruit. Greater purity of expression. Textured tannins. Long and fine. Drink 2015-2025.
