Bordeaux 2009: Médoc

More Merlot has been planted up in the northern Médoc, which suits the quite clayey soils, and complete ripening helps the Cabernets, which historically have been quite lean, but not so in 2009. Overall, a good to very good range of wines which show well the investment and effort the committed owners are making. These wines will open up after a year in bottle as the tannins are ripe, yet will surprise by how well some of them will develop. Overall, a confident performance, especially from gravelly soils with a view over the Gironde Estuary. Steven Spurrier

Chateau Haut Condissas, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense colour and fruit, very classy nose, very good expression of northern Médoc with richness and deep tannins in balance. Drink 2015-25. (17 points)
 
Clos Manou, Medoc 2009

Dense colour, marvellous nose of crushed black berry fruits with lifted intensity, fragrance and purity of hand-made fruit and rich tannins, a new star of the northern Médoc. Drink 2014-22. (17 points)
 
Chateau Lousteauneuf, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good smoky cassis Médoc, good class, good oak, good length. Drink 2013-17. (16 points)
 
Chateau Greysac, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Nice smooth Médoc, forward, well-balanced. Drink 2012-15. (15 points)
 
Chateau Bournac, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good floral nose, pure Cabernet cassis, clean flavours and good future. Drink 2012-16. (15.5 points)
 
Chateau Poitevin, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good Cabernet fruit and good grip, tannins will balance out, well-made. Drink 2013-16. (15.5 points)
 
Chateau Vieux Robin, Bois de Lunier, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Fine and quite elegant class for Médoc, new oak shows. Drink 2012-16. (15.5 points)
 
Chateau Tour-Saint-Bonnet, Medoc 2009

Good plummy cassis Médoc, good succulent fruit, good future. Drink 2012-16. (15.5 points)
 
Chateau l'Inclassable, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense colour, big smoky cassis nose, lots of new oak and tannins, extracted modern style but should turn out well. Drink 2013-18. (16 points)
 
Chateau Les Grands Chenes, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good crushed berry fruit, fleshy and ripe with good tannins. Drink 2012-16. (16 points)
 
Chateau les Ormes Sorbet, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good Cabernet cassis nose, elegant and balance, very good northern Médoc. Drink 2013-16. (16 points)
 
Chateau Rollan de By, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense colour and fruit, blackcurrants, richly textured wine with polish and depth. Drink 2014-22. (16-plus points)
 
Chateau la Clare, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good crunchy fruit aromas, fresh clear wine, quite supple but will last. Drink 2013-16. (15 points)
 
Le Petit Manou, Medoc 2009

Clean and fresh crushed black fruits, pure vibrant fruit with natural tannins, lovely modern Médoc. Drink 2012-15. (15.5 points)
 
Chateau La Tour de By, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good smoky fruit, good grip, still a bit raw but well structured. Drink 2013-17. (15 points)
 
Chateau Preuillac, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense red/black berry fruit, rich and smooth with good acidity, good extraction, fresh flavours and long finish. Drink 2014-19. (16-plus points)
 
Chateau Tour Seran, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense blackcurrant fruit, quite Saint-Estèphe in spice and structure, very good freshness, acidity and tannins. Drink 2015-25. (16-plus points)
 
Chateau Castera, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense purity of fruit, fleshy and lifted, typical of the modern Médoc. Drink 2013-17. (16-plus points)
 
Chateau Potensac, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense red, fine floral concentration, very good Médoc with depth, length and class. Drink 2014-18. (16-plus points)
 
Chateau la Cardonne, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense colour, good cassis fruit, really classy Médoc. Drink 2013-18. (16-plus points)
 
Chateau La Tour Haut-Caussan, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Dense colour, smooth and ripe, very good oak and fruit, really good class. Drink 2013-17. (16-plus points)
 
Chateau Fontis, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good fruit and good clean extraction, good vineyard wine. Drink 2012-16. (15 points)
 
Chateau Loudenne, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good fleshy fruit and good purity, elegance and depth. Drink 2013-18. (16 points)
 
Chateau Ramafort, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc 2009

Good fleshy wine, elegant supple Médoc with depth. Drink 2012-16. (16 points)
 
La Chapelle de Potensac, Medoc 2009

Good colour and good fresh Cabernet fruit, nice balance and length. Drink 2013-16. (15.5 points)