Bordeaux Pomerol / Lalande de Pomerol / Saint-Emilion / Saint-Emilion Satellites Other Regions. By Derek Smedley MW. Last Updated 9/3/2016

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1 Bordeaux 2009 Pomerol / Lalande de Pomerol / Saint-Emilion / Saint-Emilion Satellites Other Regions By Derek Smedley MW Last Updated 9/3/2016 Derek Smedley MW, Rectory Cottage, Lilley, Hertfordshire, LU2 8LU.

2 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 Tasting notes from the following growers: Contents Pomerol... 4 Lalande-de-Pomerol Saint-Emilion Lussac Saint-Emilion Montagne Saint-Emilion Puisseguin Saint-Emilion Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux Fronsac Côtes de Castillon Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Côtes de Bourg Côtes de Francs Entre-Deux-Mers Blanc Bordeaux Supérieur Bordeaux Rouge Bordeaux Blanc Vin de Table Cerons Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 2

3 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

4 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 Bordeaux 2009 Pomerol / Lalande de Pomerol / Saint-Emilion / Saint-Emilion Satellites Other Regions Tasted in Bordeaux En-Primeur March / April 2010 Tasted on other occasions see date & place in italics Pomerol Château Beauregard The fleshiness of black plum enriches the nose and gives weight on the palate. There are some fresher mainly black fruits that lighten the middle but richness and sweetness packs out the finish. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October Rich ripe black plum gives sweetness on the nose and a supple fleshiness on the palate. Behind the damson plumpness is some black cherry that gives some freshness and a slightly lighter feel towards the back but the finish has all the richness of the nose. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The sweetness of the fruit gives richness on the nose and the palate is rich ripe fruited fleshy and supple. Black plum is backed by fresher black cherry the back palate lighter yet the finish has richness and depth. Château Le Bon Pasteur The nose has an appealing freshness with lots of racy red fruits. Richer black plum and cherry are there on the palate giving depth in the middle and sweetness of flavour. The tannins are fine giving structure but not overpowering the fruit. The finish is long the hints of red fruits giving it sleekness. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 4

5 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 Blackberry and bilberry are fresh the nose is bright and the start of the palate quite light. There is a good depth of flavour on the mid palate ripe fruit rounded tannins with the rich fruit giving flesh at the back. The finish though is lighter with a strong bilberry dominance. Château Bourgneuf There is a lovely rich feel to the nose lots of ripe fruit. The sweetness lends weight to the palate with more of a black plum richness in the middle but behind there is the freshness of red fruits that balances. Château La Cabanne The nose is a bit tight the fruit held back by quite firm tannins. On the palate riper flavours show some fleshy black plum backed by cassis in evidence. The sweetness richness that shows in the middle is closed down by firmer more structured tannins that emerge on the finish. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October The nose is a bit closed and the rather obvious tannins give a tight feel on the palate. Black cherry and blackberry is in evidence on the mid palate the ripeness of the fruit giving more flesh and depth but the tannins come through towards the back rather overpowering and closing down the finish. Château Certan Marzelle It is very fresh with bright red fruits very much in evidence on the nose and giving freshness on the palate. Although a bit more serious and structured towards the back the freshness gives it a lighter feel. Château Certan de May de Certan There is an attractive mix of black fruits on the nose with plum in the ascendancy at first then black cherry emerges and takes over. The sweet fruit on the mid palate is nicely balanced by lighter fresher black and red fruits giving a rather more elegant finish. Château Clinet Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

6 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 There is a lovely sweetness on the nose and the fruit ripeness gives a fleshy feel on the palate. The richness of the black fruited mix is balanced by fresher flavours giving brightness on the finish. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October The ripeness of the fruit enriches the nose and fills out the palate. The mid palate is supple full of sweet black plums but other fruits lie beneath still very black fruited but slightly fresher balancing and giving a bright feel on the finish. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose is deep rich fruited with brooding black fruits and the palate has fleshy black plum richness. Ripe tannins add to the suppleness underpinned by sweet fruit yet there is a balancing freshness a slightly lighter feel at the back palate but the finish is rich with lovely powerful flavours. Clos René The nose has the richness of ripe plum which fleshes out the palate. Under the richness there is fresher bilberry and bramble adding to the complexity and giving the finish brightness so bringing out the fragrances. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The mix of black fruits are ripe both nose and palate rich and sweet fruited. Black plum and dark chocolate enrich the mid palate lovely and supple with rounded tannins. There is underlying freshness brightness at the back yet the finish is lush and fleshy. Château La Conseillante The richness of ripe damson plum fleshes out the nose and gives a seductive richness on the start of the palate. The mid palate has different black fruits all vying for dominance with bramble very much in evidence. It is lighter, fresher towards the back, just a hint of red cherry that brightens the finish. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October The mix of black fruits on the nose is rich and ripe fleshy and sweet. The palate is packed with ripe plum supple and seductive. Damsons are underpinned by black cherry and bramble layers of flavour giving complexity and the slightly fresher fruit balances the sweetness. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 6

7 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 The nose is deep with rich ripe fruit very black fruit dominated. The ripeness of the fruit the richness of the flavours gives flesh in the middle with ripe tannins helping the suppleness but the sweetness the fleshy richness is balanced by bramble freshness at the back. Château La Croix du Casse Both nose and palate are packed out with sweet, ripe black fruits. The ripeness of the fruit gives a plushy lushness on the palate but there are enough red fruits to freshen the back palate. Château La Croix de Gay The nose has fragrance all very black fruited, hints of cassis and bilberry. The tannins are firm at this stage rather holding back the sweet fruit but there is the feel of more fleshy weight at the back. Château La Croix Taillefer Although there is sweet mainly black plum on the nose the tannins are hard tending to override the fruit, tighten and shorten the finish. Château La Croix St Georges The nose lacks fruit sweetness and the palate feels quite light and rather attenuated. There is some sweet fruit towards the back but it tends to be overtaken by tannic dryness. Duo de Conseillante nd wine of Château La Conseillante The nose has charm with a lovely aromatic sweetness. The fruit feels ripe giving flesh on the palate but although rich there is nothing jammy about the sweetness. The back palate has the richness of black plum the freshness of bilberry and a smoky slightly ethereal character. Domaine de L Eglise Black plums give richness on the nose and flesh on the palate. The sweetness of the fruit gives succulent richness and the rounded tannins ensure that the back palate has a mouth filling lushness. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

8 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 The nose is rich the fruit ripe and fleshy with lots of ripe damson. Succulent fleshy with ripe fruits there is lots of black plum in the middle with fresher fruits all still very black in character showing towards the back leaving the finish lighter. Château L Eglise-Clinet There is sweetness on the nose, power and richness from the mass of black plum. Supple and fleshy on the palate the richness of the fruit is well balanced by structure from the underlying tannins and the bilberry freshness that is there towards the back ensures sleekness and elegance. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November Tasted at the J & B tasting March 2016 Although the nose is rich ripe black plum dominated there is freshness some bilberry and bramble in evidence. The mid palate is lush fleshy voluptuous and supple with rounded tannins. Towards the back fresher black fruits come through and balance the richness giving a lighter elegant charm to the finish. Château L Enclos Although the nose is light it has lots of black fruit perfumes. The acidity is high giving hardness to the mid palate and rather overshadowing the fruit towards the finish. Château Fayat Thunevin Although the nose has lots of sweet fruit the acidity on the palate is quite high and this combined with slightly drying tannins tends to hold back full fruit expression. Château Feytit-Clinet Lush black plum intermingles with ripe cassis giving the nose depth and richness. The fresher fruits that show on the mid palate lightening the richness but there is power at the back giving it lots of flesh. Château La Fleur de Gay Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 8

9 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 The black fruits on the nose are backed by rather firm tannins and this grippy character is there at the start of the palate. There is sweetness in the middle but the firmness tends to close down the finish. Château La Fleur Petrus The nose is fleshed out with powerful ripe black fruits and they give a lush feel to the palate. The sweetness is not over jammy as underpinning is bilberry and red cherry refreshing both mid and back palate. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November Tasted at the J & B tasting March 2016 The nose is deep black fruited brooding and the palate is sweet lush with a voluptuous fleshiness. Black plum tends to dominate but under the supple fleshiness there are firmer fresher flavours bramble and a touch of bilberry. It finishes with richness and sumptuous fleshiness Fugue de Nenin nd wine Château Nenin There is a lot of ripe plum on the nose and this fleshy richness is there on the palate all a bit soupy. Towards the back there is more of a red plum and redcurrant influence refreshing but the sweet black fruit push through fattening up the back palate. Tasted at Cave d Ulysse Margaux May Fleshy rich fruit the nose has depth the palate is full of ripe black plums. Rounded tannins add to the mid suppleness fleshy and sweet at the back yet the bramble and bilberry that comes through at the back gives a slightly less concentrated finish. Château Le Gay The fruit is lovely and rich with depth and power giving fleshiness to the nose. The palate has voluptuous richness, ripe black plum and blackcurrant, the supple power balanced by some fresher fruits that ensure a sleeker feel to the finish. Tasted at the Château March Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

10 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 The nose is rich the palate fleshy with ripe fruit supple a mix of black plum and blackcurrant. It feels firmer at the back fresher still black fruited and the finish is lighter lacking a bit of concentration. Manoir de Gay nd wine of Château Le Gay It is upfront fresh with more of a red fruited influence. There are quite rich black fruits in evidence on the palate but the overall impression is one of bramble and red cherry brightness. Château Gazin The mix of black plum and black cherry feels ripe, lovely and fleshy. The richness is refreshed by red fruits that come through on the mid palate but as the tannins are ripe they tend to accentuate the lushness. There is though a brighter more elegant character at the back. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October The nose has a good mix of flavours with sweet black plum backed by fresher black cherry. The sweetness of the fruit gives a supple richness on the palate with layers of flavour giving complexity the fresher fruits helping to balance all of the fleshy richness. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose has a lot of rich sweet fruit and the palate is fleshy with black plums and dark chocolate. The sweet fruit on the mid palate is underpinned by bramble a lighter fresher feel towards the back but it finishes with damson richness. Château La Grave à Pomerol The mix of red fruits feels bright lifting the nose and bringing out the fragrances. It is a bit more serious on the palate with firmer tannins but the sweetness of the fruit wins through fleshing out the finish. Château Hosanna Powerful ripe black plum packs out the nose and gives fleshy richness on the palate. The tannins show in the middle all a bit chewy and although there are fresher red fruits pushing through, the power of the black plum tends to dominate. Tasted in Bordeaux November Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 10

11 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 The nose has a lovely freshness black fruited but dominated by cherry. Richer sweeter flavours come through on the palate the damson backed by blackberry a lovely mix of flavours. The fruit on the back palate is quite herbal and spicy with a touch of black pepper on the finish. L Hospitalet de Gazin Tasted at the Bordeaux Grands Cru tasting London April 2015 The nose is light black fruited lacking richness and the palate at the start lacks concentration. Towards the back it feels fleshier more sweet black plum but the finish lacks a bit of depth. Château Lafleur-Gazin It is lovely and fresh on the nose with redcurrants backed by bilberry. There is a good weight of fruit on the palate and although rich in the middle it brightened by the freshness that is apparent on the finish. Château Latour à Pomerol The nose is very bright quite red fruited with behind it some richer sweeter black fruits giving more weight. The tannins feel ripe all adding to the lushness of the black plum on the mid palate and filling out the finish. Château Marzy The richness of black plum is backed by black cherry giving fleshiness on the nose and palate. Towards the back bilberry refreshes but the plum richness is there towards the finish giving it weight. Château Mazeyres Black plum is there backed by quite fleshy cassis. The palate has the sweetness of ripe fruit but the tannins are quite firm, a touch aggressive tending to overtake the lushness and shorten the finish. Château Montviel The nose is all upfront fleshed out by ripe black plum. The palate starts very sweet and fleshy but behind there is some firmness more red cherry in character and this helps to balance the richness. 11 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

12 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 Tasted at Château Le Gay March The fruit on the nose is ripe the palate fleshy and sweet lots of damsons and black cherry. The tannins are still obvious the mid palate structured but it fills out at the back with sweet fruit. Château Nenin The nose is all rich ripe black plum and the richness of the fruit packs out the palate. There are red fruits lying underneath helping to balance the fleshy ripeness and give some structure and brightness. The fruit power enriches and packs out the back palate, the plum flavours linger. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November Although the nose has nice rich ripe fruit at the back there is firmness and a fresher feel. Black cherry and damson dominate the mid palate yet there are lighter red fruits and bilberry in evidence. The finish though has depth and ripe fruited power. La Petite Eglise nd wine Château L Eglise Clinet There is sweetness on the nose with behind it racier, fresher bilberry. Rich ripe black plum gives fleshy weight to the palate balanced by fresh mainly black fruits and underpinned by tannins which provide structure but are not hard or aggressive. Château Petit Village The nose is packed out with rich black plum the fleshiness accentuated by the ripeness of the tannins. The sweetness although sensuously lush is not jammy as behind are fresher red fruits, redcurrant and red cherry. There is a lovely length of flavour all so well balanced Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October Behind the black plum on the nose is the freshness of red fruits. The palate starts quite tight but there is more sweet fruit enriching the middle. The layers of red and black fruits give complexity but the freshness gives a lighter feel at the back with the finish lacking a bit of depth. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose appears to be very sweet but behind the ripe fruit there are fresher flavours some bramble and blackcurrant. There is richness on the mid palate but a lighter fresher feel at the back and on the finish. Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 12

13 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 Château Petrus There is a seductive lushness about the nose with lots of fleshy ripe black plum and cassis. Under all of the sweet fruit are tannins firm but not hard backed by bilberry and bramble freshness, all of these layers of flavour ensure complexity. It is massive yet seamless with an elegant long, flowing finish. Château Le Pin There are some lovely fragrances on the nose all quite red fruited. The fruit is concentrated, fleshly rich, black plum and cassis. Layers of flavour give complexity, freshness is there balancing the opulent mid power with towards the back a lighter feel giving it a sleek elegance. Château Plince There is a lot of fruit on the nose, very black fruited and ripe. Black plum is underpinned by quite chewy tannins lightened towards the backer by fresher bilberry and mulberry. Château La Pointe There is a lot of power on the nose which is fleshed out by lush ripe plum. There are layers of flavour, lots of lush fruit underpinned by fresher bilberry that balances the sweetness giving is a sleeker feel on the finish. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October There is a lot of ripe fruit on the nose filling it out and the fleshy ripeness of the black plums give a seductive suppleness on the palate. The richness of the flavours is balanced by the freshness of the bilberry and bramble that comes through towards the back. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose is rich the fruit sweet the start of the palate filled with fleshy damson and ripe cassis. Rounded tannins aid the suppleness with the sweetness of the fruit giving a voluptuous mid richness. There is though an underlying red fruited freshness that lightens the back palate and gives a less concentrated feel on the finish. Château Providence Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

14 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 Fruit power enriches the nose all a bit heavy and jammy. The palate though, although sweet and rich, has underlying black and red cherry and which lightens and balances the plum sweetness giving a fresher feel towards the back. Tasted in Bordeaux November All the lushness of the year is there on both nose and palate. Rich ripe damson is backed by blackcurrant and sloe, the richness well balanced by fresher bramble and black cherry. The tannins are quite firm but feel ripe allowing the fruit to fill out the back palate. Romulus The freshness of red plum and raspberry give brightness to both nose and palate. There are sweeter more black fruits on the palate but the red fruited freshness is there lifting the back palate. Château Trotanoy The nose is enriched by ripe black plums, all sweet and lush. On the start of the palate there is the same richness of fruit but it is nicely balanced by fresher black cherry and bramble all adding to the complexity. It is seamless, lovely and long, layers of flavour adding excitement Vieux Château Certan The nose has lots of powerful fleshed out by rich black plum and cherry. The richness of the fruit is there on the palate sensuous, voluptuous but there is nothing jammy about the lushness as underpinning is fresh bilberry and red cherry that balances, lightens and gives the wine a seamless sleekness and elegance Château Vieux Maillet The nose has the richness of ripe plum and this fleshy fruit is there at the start of the palate. The tannins are quite harsh and these combined with some red fruit acidity tends to shorten the finish. Château La Violette Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 14

15 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 The nose is lush packed with ripe plums. The sweetness of the fruits enriches the palate but the plum jam is nicely balanced by red cherry freshness that lifts the fruit and gives a lighter feel towards the back. Château Vray Croix de Gay There is an attractive weight of sweet fruit on the nose and the ripeness shows through on the palate. Black plum is underpinned by cassis, all quite concentrated. Although the tannins are firm they are not aggressive. Lalande-de-Pomerol Château Bertineau The black fruit mix is ripe giving flesh on the nose and a depth of flavour on the palate. The voluptuous richness is nicely balanced by fresher black fruits, bilberry to the fore. It has a plumy richness on the finish. Château Bonnes Rives The red fruits on the nose are quite hard backed by high acidity. There are sweeter flavours in the middle but very much overtaken by oak that dries the finish. La Fleur de Boüard The richness of black cherry and damson flesh out the palate and give a lovely sweetness on the nose. The mid palate is bright with fresh fruit underpinning the sweeter mix. The back palate has lovely rich ripe flavours. La Fleur de Boüard Le Plus The nose is very black fruited the sweet cassis balanced by firmer richer sloe. The tannins show but feel ripe allowing the fruit to flesh out the mid palate and giving a meaty richness towards the back Château de Chambrun Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

16 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 The nose is overly fleshy packed with lush damson and plum. Behind the fruit is oak and it tends to dominate and rather overpower the fruit on the mid palate. There are some fresher red fruits making an appearance but the overall impression is plum jam Château La Chenade It feels rich with both nose and palate packed out with black plum and cherry. The mid tannins are quite firm and these combine with some red fruits lighten and brighten the finish. Tasted at the Farr Vintners tasting Boodles April Tasted at the Farr Vintners tasting Boodles May There is a lot of rich fruit on the nose with a mix of damsons and red cherries. The tannins are still quite firm but the richness of the fruit comes through fleshing out the back palate and finish. Château Les Cruzelles The nose is fleshed out with ripe fruit, lots of black cherry but also behind is bramble upfront and sweet. Plum mixes with blackcurrant on the palate, the fleshiness helped by the ripeness of the tannins but there is nothing jammy about the wine with enough red fruit freshness to balance. Tasted at the J & B tasting March Sweet ripe the nose has depth the palate a rich mix of black fruits. Fleshy plum is back by cassis all underpinned by firmer black cherry with a balancing freshness from bramble and bilberry. Rich and ripe at the back yet the finish is light bright with lingering fruit. Château La Gravière The mix of bramble and black cherry feels ripe and the richness that shows on the nose is there on the palate. Behind the sweet fruit is redcurrant and raspberry that lifts and refreshes. Château Jean de Gué There is an attractive sweetness about the nose with bramble and cassis enriched by dark plum. Sweet fruit gives flesh on the palate and although the tannic structure is quite firm there is a lot sweet fruit that will show with time. Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 16

17 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 Château Perron Tasted in Bordeaux September 2015 Herbaceous red fruits the nose is fresh the start of the palate tight with firm tannins. There is a better weight of fruit in the middle richer red plum at the back but the finish lets it down firm and lacking generosity. Château Siaurac There is a lot of ripe fruit on the nose, mainly black but behind hints of strawberry. The back palate is bright showing structure but enough ripe fruit to flesh out the finish. Saint-Emilion Château Adaugusta Grand Cru The tannins show on the nose, their firmness tending to hold back the fruit. Fresh red fruits are there at the start of the palate but underpinning is some richer blackberry giving more weight on the back palate. Château Angélus 1er Grand Cru Classé The nose is predominately red fruit but behind there is blackberry, ripe, sweet lots of charm. The mid palate feels firmer; a structure that supports the rich fruit then fresher raspberry wins through towards the back giving the finish a racy sleekness. Tasted at Somerset House May Although red fruits seem to dominate there is an attractive richness and sweetness about the nose. Depth of flavour fills out the palate supported by firm but ripe tannins and refreshed by raspberry that gives the finish a sleek elegance. Tasted at Farr Vintners December The black fruits on the nose are sweet quite rich with good depth. The start of the palate is fresher with some quite severe tannins but the mid palate has richness with a mix of bramble and black cherry. The flavours last well and although a bit closed on the finish there is a lot more to come out with patience. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The fruit is sweet the nose has depth richness a lovely mix of flavours. Layers of fruit give complexity the palate lush with a range of powerful black fruits yet there is underlying freshness hints of spice a finish that is sleek long with an elegant charm. 17 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

18 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 Château L Arrosée Grand Cru Classé Bright red fruits with raspberry to the fore give freshness on the nose and palate. The mid palate lacks a bit of substance and although strawberry comes through the finish is rather light and lacking. Les Astéries Grand Cru Merlot 83% Cabernet Franc 17% Tasted in Bordeaux November 2010 The freshness of raspberry and red cherry is backed by exotic spices and some toasty oak. It feels quite lean with racy mineral and red fruit freshness all very sleek. As the fruit is ripe there is enough sweetness on the mid palate to balance. Château Ausone 1er Grand Cru Classé (A) There is a sweet charm about the nose the fleshiness so well balanced by an underlying freshness. Powerful black fruits intermingle with the fresher red, lovely and complex. The richness of the back palate is tempered by red fruits giving the finish sleekness and elegance. Château Balestard la Tonnelle Grand Cru Classé The fruit is upfront sweet filling out the nose and giving a fleshy richness on the palate. There is some red fruit behind helping to refresh. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November There is sweetness on the nose but a lot of fresher red fruits. The mid palate is quite sweet with a little more depth but the strong red fruited influence at the back lightens the finish. Château Beau-Séjour Bécot 1er Grand Cru Classé The nose has the richness of ripe fruit and this sweet power gives flesh on the palate. Bramble is there with behind red fruits, strawberry and mulberry. The back palate has depth and length of flavour. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 18

19 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 The red fruits on the nose feel sweet giving richness on the nose and some depth on the palate. The mid palate is lighter with an attractive mix of flavours strawberry and mulberry underpinned by bramble. There is good depth on the finish yet an attractive elegance. Tasted at Farr Vintners December Although the nose is firm there is an attractive aromatic slightly herbal character to the black fruits. The fresh start to the palate gives way to a richer suppler feel in the middle and although towards the back it is still quite firm the finish has a good depth of sweet fruit. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose has a mix of flavours red and black fruits all quite aromatic. The fruit feels ripe the mid palate supple yet underneath there is a balancing freshness and the finish has fruit that lingers. Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse Tasted at Farr Vintners December 2012 There is a lot of sweet ripe fruit on the nose fleshy black plum. Although sweet fruited there is some balancing freshness yet towards the back the richness and ripeness of the fruit dominates fleshy voluptuous with a good depth of flavour on the finish. Château Bélair Monange 1er Grand Cru Classé There is a lot happening on the nose with the richness of black fruits underpinned by fresher red. The palate is the same with sweet, ripe bramble and black cherry underpinned by bright raspberry and wild strawberry. A wine that has depth of flavour lots of complexity yet elegance. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The black fruited mix is rich and ripe packing the nose with flavour and the palate has depth and richness. Under the sweetness the rich black fruits red fruits refresh and give a slightly lighter feel to the back palate and although the finish has depth of flavour there is a stylish elegance. Château Bellefont-Belcier Grand Cru Classé Red fruits dominate with fleshy strawberry very much to the fore. The tannins feel ripe helping to enrich the mid palate and allow the sweet fruit to flesh out the finish. Château Bellevue Grand Cru There is sweetness on the nose a mix of black fruits that gives richness and flesh on the palate. Acidity balances the sweetness with the layers of flavour aiding complexity and towards the back bramble coming through enriching the finish. 19 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

20 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 Tasted at Somerset House May The nose has closed a bit but behind the firmness there is sweet fruit with lots of black cherry. There are some red fruits showing on the palate refreshing but it is the richer bramble that fills out the finish. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The fruit is sweet the nose has depth richness a lovely mix of flavours. Layers of fruit give complexity the palate lush with a range of powerful black fruits yet there is underlying freshness hints of spice a finish that is sleek long with an elegant charm. Château Bellevue Mondotte Grand Cru The mix of redcurrant and cherry is very fresh giving the nose a slightly green edge. The palate lacks some generosity tannic firmness holding back the fruit. Oak and tannins are tending to dry the finish. Château Bergat Grand Cru The nose has an appealing freshness quite light but very bright. Ripe red and black fruits show through on the mid palate, the bramble giving a richer feel on the back palate. Château Berliquet Grand Cru Although quite light the nose is lovely and fragrant full of fresh red cherries. Sweeter fruit comes through on the palate the fleshiness helped by ripe tannins. There is a fresher feel towards the back. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October Both nose and palate are light rather lacking in generosity. The sweetness that shows in the middle tends to be overcome by the tannins give a tight slightly short finish. Château Cadet Bon Grand Cru Red fruits underpin the mix of black all feeling ripe giving power on the nose and flesh on the palate. The tannic firmness slightly dries and tends to shorten the finish Château Canon 1er Grand Cru Classé Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 20

21 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 Although the nose is fleshy and rich there is freshness behind that lifts the flavours. On the palate black fruits, bramble vies with redcurrant and raspberry for dominance, the sweetness of the bramble coming through on the back palate. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October The nose has some nice rich fruit and there is a good depth of flavour on the palate. The fruit feels ripe enriching the start of the palate with under the sweetness red fruits that refresh the back palate. Tasted at Farr Vintners December The mix of fruits on the nose is rich deep with lots of power. The palate has richness depth of flavour quite chunky the sweetness filling out mid and back palate. There are layers of flavour the fresher cherry backed by powerful black fruits. The finish has a mineral mix a slightly fresher feel. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The fruit is rich the nose has depth lots of black cherry and bramble and the palate has the richness of ripe fruit. Layers of flavour give complexity and although there is structure the fruit underneath is chunky and rich giving flesh at the back. The long finish has more of a mineral freshness. Château Canon-la-Gaffelière Grand Cru Classé The brightness of raspberry is very much in evidence on the nose. Fresh fruits show on the palate with towards the middle the richer, sweeter black asserting themselves giving flesh, richness on the back palate. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October Raspberry and strawberry feature on the palate the raspberry giving a balancing freshness to the richer sweeter strawberry. The mid palate is rich with the fresher red fruits coming through towards the back. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose has a strong red fruited influence a lovely raspberry freshness at the start. The mid palate is sweeter with mid richness but towards the back the freshness wins through a lighter feel on the finish. Château Cantenac Grand Cru The nose is a bit tight with red fruits tending to dominate. Sweeter bramble comes through on the palate but the tannic structure holds it back shortening the finish. 21 Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

22 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 Château Cap de Mourlin Grand Cru Classé The nose seems quite tight fresh fruited with red fruits in the ascendancy. The middle has the sweetness of black fruits with fair a weight of flavour on the finish. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose is tight the start of the palate firm holding back the fruit. Under the mid freshness there is some sweeter fruit but the rather obvious tannins dominate the back palate closing down the finish Carillon de L Angélus Grand Cru nd wine of Château Angélus Fresh red fruits are apparent on the nose and the palate is quite light with quite firm tannins supporting the fruit. It has savoury twist that adds some complexity, sweeter towards the middle then freshness wins through giving the finish fragrant charm and length. Le Carré Grand Cru Merlot 85% Cabernet Franc 15% Tasted in Bordeaux November 2010 There is a complex mix of flavours on the nose at first it seems very fresh with raspberry and strawberry to the fore but behind are richer sweeter black fruits damson and black cherries. The ripeness of the tannins gives a velvet smoothness on the palate with towards the back there is the excitement of liquorice, vanilla and herbal spices. Chapelle D Ausone Grand Cru nd wine of Château Ausone The nose has an attractive smoky quality behind which are bright red fruits. The palate has the richness of black fruits fleshed out by rounded tannins, all beautifully balanced by raspberry freshness that gives a racy feel to the finish. Château Cheval Blanc 1er Grand Cru Classé (A) Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 22

23 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 The power of black fruits is balanced by the lovely freshness of red. The nose has red fruited fragrances backed up by bramble and black cherry. The richness of ripe fruit and rounded tannins is refreshed by raspberry giving brightness and a seamless flowing elegance. Tasted at Farr Vintners December Behind the fragrant red and black mix on the nose there is a lot of concentrated fruit. The mid palate has sweetness depth concentration with some spicy black flavours sweetness yet freshness and fragrance. The back palate and finish are firm a touch dry at the moment but there is enough rich fruit to fill it out with time. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The fruit on the nose has a fragrant charm rich black fruits and fresher red. The palate is serious concentrated deep with spicy slightly herbal black fruits. Sweet in the middle fresher towards the back layers of flavour lots of complexity. The finish is still firm with richness beginning to come through on the finish. Clos de Baies Grand Cru The nose has the freshness of red fruits backed by smokier black. The sweetness of the fruit gives some flesh on the palate but then fresher red fruits push through giving a lighter feel on the finish. Clos Cantenac Grand Cru There are some sweet black fruits showing on the nose but the predominant character is one of fresh red cherry. The mid palate is richer the mix of black and red plum giving it suppleness and more flesh towards the back. Clos Canon Grand Cru nd wine of Château Canon Tasted at Cave d Ulysse Margaux May Fragrant red fruits some lighter black the nose has charm and although the start of the palate is quite light with a raspberry bramble mix the mid palate has sweet fruit ripe fruit richness. Fresher at the back the finish is fragrant with length of flavour. Clos Fourtet 1er Grand Cru Classé Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

24 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 There is a lot of sweet fruit fleshing out the nose, first red fruits and then richer black. The roundness of the tannins ensures that the palate is fleshy and supple yet there are fresher layers of flavour giving complexity. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October The nose is rich and sweet with an attractive mix of black and red fruits. Rounded ripe tannins help the mid suppleness and fleshiness. There is real depth of flavour power yet enough freshness to give an elegant feel to the finish. Tasted at Farr Vintners December Both nose and palate have depth, power and richness lots of fleshy black fruits. The tannins feel ripe the mid palate supple fleshly sweet black plum with just a touch of liquorice. The acidity comes through towards the back so the finish feels fresher but there is enough sweet fruit to overtake it with time. Clos des Jacobins Grand Cru Classé The nose is lovely and rich and ripe with upfront bramble intermingling with the red fruits. The tannins are rounded giving a supple feel on the palate and allowing the chunky ripe fruit to show to advantage on the finish. Clos La Madeleine Grand Cru The nose is quite rich with sweet fruit very much to the fore. The tannins although firm are rounded and allow the fruit to show to advantage. The back palate is fleshed out by fruit sweetness. Clos Magne Figeac The nose lacks a bit of weight but has an attractive red fruited fragrance. There is some sweeter black fruit on the start but the tannic firmness cuts of the fruit shortening the finish. Clos Saint Martin Grand Cru Classé There is an attractive mix of red and black fruits on the nose and palate. The fruit is sweet and the tannins rounded not aggressive allowing the richness to fill out the back palate. Château La Commanderie Grand Cru Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 24

25 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 The nose has the fleshiness of ripe fruit, quite black fruited. Fresher flavours show in the middle bringing out the fragrances but then towards the back richer flavours win through. Château La Confession Grand Cru There is a lot of fruit on the nose and it feels ripe. Bramble is very much in evidence giving richness to the mid palate all quite fleshy. The tannins tend to show on the back palate holding back the fruit on the finish. Château Corbin Grand Cru Classé The nose is upfront sweet and although the start of the palate has some flesh the mid palate is rather held back firm tannic firmness. Sweet fruit does show on the finish. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November There is some sweet fruit on the nose but the palate is more red fruit in character fresh and quite light. Under the firm tannins there is a mix of black and red fruits all feeling ripe and this gives more depth on the finish. Château La Couspaude Grand Cru Classé The acidity and tannins are very much in evidence hiding the fruit on the nose and leaving the mid palate rather hollow. Some sweet bramble struggles to show itself but the firmness tends to cut it off. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October There is high acidity on both nose and palate but under this sweet fruits are beginning to win through. The back palate starts quite rich but the freshness and tannic structure overtakes shortening the finish. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose is firm the start of the palate tight the mix of redcurrant and bilberry very fresh. There is a richer feel in the middle some sweet fruit but the back palate is closed tight yet there is some sweetness on the finish. Château Coutet Grand Cru Tasted in Lilley May Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

26 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 The nose has depth of flavour lots of ripe black fruits bramble and black cherry mixed. The sweetness of black plum enriches the palate but behind there are some firm tannins and the freshness of bramble and blackberry balancing the fruit sweetness. The finish is long with lots of flavour black truffle and a hint of spice. Château Couvent des Jacobins Grand Cru Classé The richness of bramble is very apparent on the nose and gives sweetness on the palate. Fresher red fruits underpin lighten the back palate and leave the finish slightly lacking in richness. Château La Croix Figeac Grand Cru The black fruit that shows on the nose feels ripe giving some richness. The palate has a good weight of fruit the black fruits seem to dominate with behind fresher slightly lighter raspberry and cherry. Château Dassault Grand Cru Classé The sweetness on the nose is misleading as the palate has a hard character at the start. Riper sweeter black fruits give some weight in the middle but the fresh red take over giving a slight bitter twist at the back. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October The nose is tight and as the tannins are quite obvious on the palate it feels hard and unforgiving. There is sweetness towards the back but just a slight lack of generosity. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The nose has opened up a bit and the tannins on the palate are less obvious. There is mid sweetness with quite a strong black fruited influence yet at the back the tannins are very much in evidence tending to close down the finish. Château Daugay Grand Cru Bramble and redcurrant vie for dominance both lovely and fresher. There is greater weight of fruit on the mid palate, the sweetness giving it richness. At the moment is feels a bit tight on the finish but time will open it up. Le Dôme Grand Cru Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 26

27 BORDEAUX 2009 August 03, 2012 Cabernet Franc 75% Merlot 25% Tasted in Bordeaux November 2010 Tobacco, spicy oak and liquorice overlay the rich black fruits. The sweetness of the fruit is enhanced by ripe tannins but quite grippy in the middle giving structure with towards the back blackberry, cranberry and sloe giving lots of complexity. Château La Dominique Grand Cru Classé There is not a lot of fruit showing on the nose with fresh light raspberry and red cherry in evidence on the palate. It is bright and fresh but lacking real substance leaving the finish quite short. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October The nose has opened up with the sweetness of the mainly red fruits giving some richness. Towards the back freshness and tannins tend to hold back the flavours an shorten the finish. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November The fruit feels ripe the nose is sweet the palate rich with a nice depth of flavour. There are enough red fruits to balance and although the back palate has freshness the finish is rich with ripe black fruits. Château L Evêché Grand Cru The ripeness of the fruit gives the palate a lovely richness. Red fruits appear to dominate but behind them there is a mix of cassis and bramble giving flesh to the back palate. Château Faugères Grand Cru There is a mass of black fruits fleshing out the nose and giving a rich feel to the palate. Cassis and bramble dominate but there is in the background the weight of plum, the juicy black fruits refreshed by redcurrant. Château Figeac 1er Grand Cru Classé There is an attractive racy freshness on the nose with a mix of bright red fruits. Bramble and black cherry take over at the start of the palate the mix of flavours giving real complexity. Towards the back the ripeness of the fruit and the rounded tannins give it a fleshy richness. Tasted at the UGCB tasting Royal Opera House London October Master of Wine: Derek Smedley

28 August 03, 2012 BORDEAUX 2009 The nose has a complex mix of flavours with the bright red fruits backed by more powerful black. There are layers of flavour giving complexity the sweetness of the black fruits and rounded tannins giving a mid richness. The flavours last well on the finish. Tasted at Farr Vintners December The nose is stylish red fruited but quite firm. The palate has sweetness yet freshness but the tannins are quite obvious at the moment all very firm. There is some riper fruit at the back then red fruits come through and give a fresher a more elegant feel on the finish. Tasted at the Master of Wine tasting Vintners Hall November Behind the freshness on the nose there is the richness and sweetness of ripe fruit. The tannins have mellowed the mid palate supple with a fleshy power a mix of black cherry and strawberry. The freshness at the back lightens and gives a stylish elegant feel to the finish. Château Fleur Cardinale Grand Cru Classé The fruit is sweet and the tannins feel ripe giving weight on the nose and flesh on the palate. Bramble vies with redcurrant for dominance, the layers of flavour helping complexity. The fruit lingers on the finish. Château de Fonbel Grand Cru Although the nose has a mix of red fruits there is an appealing sweetness with more of a strawberry character. The mid palate has the lushness of ripe fruit and rounded tannins but the fleshiness is balanced by the raspberry that appears towards the back Tasted at the Ellis of Richmond tasting Vintners Hall February Tasted at the Mansion House July The nose has depth and richness with sweet fruit filling out the palate. Red fruits tend to be to the fore but behind there is some fleshy black plum. Rounded tannins help the suppleness and the finish has depth and sweetness of flavour. Château Fonroque Grand Cru Classé The richness of bramble gives flesh on the nose and richness on the start of the palate. Red fruits are in evidence giving freshness a lighter feel towards the back balancing the sweetness. Château Franc Mayne Grand Cru Classé Master of Wine: Derek Smedley 28