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Fleur de Bouard Bottle (owned by Chateau Angelus)
Parker, Tanzer, La Revue du Vin de
France, Wine Spectator - they all agree: "There is no question that 2009 is going to be
one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages of our
lifetimes."
Robert Parker on the 2009
Bordeaux,
"Some of the greatest wines I have
tasted in 32 years"
This weeks Right Bank super-star is a gem of a property owned by Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus one of St Emilions very top estates (and costing over $250 per bottle in 2009). The Brouards have invested heavily in this Bordeaux insiders estate to produce Lalande de Pomerols top performing Chateau. 2009 is its greatest vintage ever (that is what the star signifies in Parkers review) and is one of the top performs in all Bordeaux for 2009. With this pedegree and relatively low price it is one of the best values for money in the vintage. A definite consideration if you are looking for great value in 09.
Top Rated in the Wine Spectator: Chateau La Fleur de Brouard, Lalande de Pomerol:
Supersilky and round, with lovely berry, licorice and black chocolate character. Full and gorgeous. Like it. Score range: 92-95 -JS
CHATEAU LA FLEUR DE BOUARD Lalande de Pomerol 2009 Parker Rated 90-93* 6 bottles $239; $455.88 ($37.99) per 12 bottle case.
The 2009 La Fleur de Bouard (made from yields of 45 hectoliters per hectare; 13.5% alcohol) is a Merlot-based wine with brilliant purity, abundant black cherry, plum, and boysenberry fruit, extraordinary density, decent acids, and high tannins. This full-bodied, concentrated, impressively endowed 2009 should age nicely for 10-15 years. At a recent tasting of the 2000 vintage, I was reminded of how great this estate's luxury cuvee can be. It was off the charts in terms of richness and personality. (Tasted three times.)
Unquestionably a star of Lalande de Pomerol is the 50-acre estate of Hubert and Corinne de Bouard, who produce wines that fly well above their pedigree. Tasting through older vintages proves that these are the "real deal," as they age quite well. One can even argue that the luxury cuvee, La Plus de la Fleur de Bouard, is one of the top twenty wines being produced in Bordeaux - a remarkable achievement given the appellation's lack of status. Robert Parker
Lalande de Pomerol neighbor to mighty (and expensive Pomerol) is a source of some of the Right Banks best values. An easy choice in 2009. only 6 cases available
Here is more of what the press says about 2009:
"...virtually
everyone agreed that '09 will go down in
history as the greatest Bordeaux vintage of
all time." Whoa! -Stephen
Tanzer, International Wine Cellar
"The reasons for such high
praise? A
seemingly endless line-up of remarkably
concentrated yet balanced wines, and the
possibility that more properties than ever
before have made what may end up being their
best wine of all time. There are also rich
pickings in the value-for-money appellations
of Castillon, Francs and Fronsac." -Stephen
Tanzer, International Wine Cellar
"A
lot of people make comparisons to 1982, which
I have to agree with to some extent but,
honestly, I think they are better." James
Suckling Wine Spectator
There you have it. Consensus on the quality
of the 2009s.
Two Reasons to Buy Bordeaux
Futures (in
Great
Vintages) First it
assures you
access to
the best wines
before they are sold out. The top rated wines
often sell
out in Bordeaux within a day and often in hours.
Second, while you do pay in advance you will
get a substantial discount to their price
once they
reach the US (if they are available at all)
In 2005 this discount was from 30 to 100%.
Cynthia
Hurley
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