My Article: A Wave of 2009 Bordeaux

It sounded like a breaking wave of glass bottles, or the emptying of a bottle bank into a large disposal truck. In 30 years of wine criticism, I have never experienced the collapse of a tasting table with about 150 samples. Luckily they had all been tasted!

It was the end of a weeklong trip to Bordeaux to taste the truly amazing 2009 vintage. This is a vintage that will go down in the history books as one of the great modern vintages. For me, it’s the vintage of my career as a Bordeaux wine specialist.

Some will disagree. Some might like the strength of the 2010 better or the classism of the 2005 or 2000. But I love the incredible balance of the reds in 2009. I like how the wines can analytically be extreme in concentration of fruit, tannins, and acidity yet they all balance out into vinous nectar.

I rated a number of perfect wines. Check out my video with the winemaker of Vieux Chateau Certan that received a perfect rating, if you are a premium subscriber. If you aren’t a paid member, you can use a free day pass. Alexandre Thienpont of VCC is one of Bordeaux’s best winemakers.

I have a lot more to say about 2009 in the next few weeks, so stay tuned. Check out my farewell to 2009 Bordeaux video.

I was happy only a few bottles were broken in the end!