Bordeaux 2009: Graves, Pessac-Léognan & other dry whites
For the Pessac and Graves dry whites, the Sauvignons lacked the lifted freshness of 2007 and 2008, due to slight over-ripeness, but blended well with the Semillons which welcome ripeness, producing good wines for the medium term. Steven Spurrier
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, Cru Classe Graves, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lemon yellow, quite restrained floral nose, fresh pears, green apples, shows complexity and vineyard depth, great purity and quite succulent length while retaining its restrained and impressive class. Drink 2013-20. (18.5 points)
Chateau la Mission Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Bright lemon yellow, superb white flowers and fresh dry herbs nose, marvellous lift and freshness despite evident ripeness, really well-defined depth and certainly the finest expression of (84%) Semillon in dry Bordeaux. Drink 2012-20. (18.5 points)
Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Blanc, Cru Classe Graves, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Bright pale yellow, fine complexity and fresh dry herbs on the nose, fine flesh and fruit on the palate, an arrestingly vibrant wine with a very good future. Drink 2013-20. (17.5 points)
Chateau la Louviere Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lemon pale, fine white flowers and white fruits, very good precision and depth and a very good white Graves. Drink 2012-18. (17 points)
Chateau Olivier Blanc, Cru Classe Graves, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Pale lemon yellow, nose of white hedgerow flowers and good precision and weight on the palate, quite broad style. Drink 2012-16. (16.5 points)
Chateau Larrivet-Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lemon yellow, floral, slightly exotic fruit, more richness than many and good ripeness backed by good acidity, good broad style. Drink 2012-16. (16.5 points)
Chateau Latour-Martillac Blanc, Cru Classe Graves, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lemon pale, white flowers and a lifted spice on the nose, fine intensity of fruit, good green apple freshness and good potential. Drink 2012-17. (17 points)
Chateau Haut-Bergey Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Bright and crisp lemony colour, fine expression of Sauvignon Blanc, lots of energy, flavour and length and potential complexity. Drink 2012-15. (16.5 points)
Chateau Pape-Clement Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Fine lemon yellow, complex and almost fleshy white fruits, evidence of oak which adds to the complexity, an openly fine, delicious young but will age well. Drink 2013-18. (17 points)
Chateau de Fieuzal Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Clear lemon yellow, lively and quite appley fruit, good freshness and good length. Drink 2012-15. (16.5 points)
Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux 2009
Lemon pale, fresh and floral, much lighter in alcohol than in recent years and what it has lost in richness it has gained in minerality, both floral and steely and will age well. Drink 2011-18. (18 points)
Chateau Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Fullish lemon yellow, floral, almost succulently ripe fruits, appley but broad, still a little unformed, the vibrancy of Sauvignon Blanc (62%) will dominate as it matures. Drink 2013-18. (18 points)
L'Aigle Blanc de Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Bordeaux 2009
Lemon pale, fine and floral with pure hedgerow spring flowers and dry herbs, well balanced acidity, more elegant than in previous years. Drink 2011-15. (17 points)
Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lemon yellow, very good florality and a slightly exotic touch with fleshiness added to the vibrant fruit and very good vineyard ripeness, a wine of ripeness that will show flnesse and depth. Drink 2013-18. (17.5 points)
Chateau Brown Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lemon yellow, good floral Sauvignon Blanc vivacity and Semillon fruit, grapefruity acidity, good balance and length. Drink 2011-14. (16 points)
Chateau Couhins Blanc, Cru Classe Graves, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lively pale yellow, delicate yet well-pronounced floral nose with lifted Sauvignon Blanc fruit, crisp and clean, elegant and will flesh out a little, good flavour and nice dry finish. Drink 2010-14. (16 points)
Clos Floridene Blanc, Graves 2009
Silver pale, good white flower florality and fresness of fruit, will show well. Drink 2011-14. (16 points)
Chateau Rahoul Blanc, Graves 2009
Lively lemon yellow, good depth of character and good vineyard fruit, good acidity to hold it. Drink 2012-17. (15.5 points)
Chateau Bouscaut Blanc, Cru Classe Graves, Pessac-Leognon 2009
Pale yellow, white flowers and green apple freshness, good broad fruit, good length, lacks a bit of finesse. Drink 2012-16. (16 points)
Chateau de Rochemorin Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Good clear lemon yellow colour, grapefruity and good clean finish. Drink 2010-13. (15.5 points)
Chateau la Garde Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Silver pale, nicely lifted clear fruit. Drink 2010-12. (15.5 points)
Chateau Ferrande Blanc, Graves 2009
Lemon yellow, good ripe fruit, quite open with a refreshing acidity. Drink 2011-13. (15 points)
Chateau de Chantegrive Blanc, Graves 2009
Lemon yellow, fine expression of Semillon/Sauvignon fruit, fleshy with appley acidity, good wine. Drink 2011-15. (16 points)
Chateau de France Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lemon yellow, floral, quite ripe fruit, good length, a fresh, open style. Drink 2011-13. (16 points)
Chateau Picque-Caillou Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Fresh and pale, lovely vineyard fruit and elegance, a very attractive wine. Drink 2012-15. (16 points)
Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc, Cru Classe Graves, Pessac-Leognon 2009
Pale and fresh, white flowers and lifted Sauvignon freshness, good clear and precise fruit that will show early. Drink 2011-15. (16-plus points)
La Clarte de Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan 2009
An 84% Semillon-16% Sauvignon blend from both La Mission and Haut-Brion: lemon yellow, white flowers and herbal nose, still slightly phenolic, but lovely length and balance. Drink 2011-16. (16-plus points)
Clos Marsalette Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2009
Lemon yellow, well expressed, citrussy fruit with good ripeness, length and refreshing finish, well-made. Drink 2011-14. (16-plus points)