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The Chateau Haut-Bergey label - Top performer in Pessac Leogan (Graves) on the Left Bank
Robert Parker on the 2009
Bordeaux, "Some of the greatest wines I have
tasted in 32 years"
I have ever
tasted
such extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignons,
and I
believe the 2009 is at its greatest in the
Medoc and Graves." Robert Parker Wine
Advocate April 2010
This week's offer is for one the Left Bank's top-
ranked wines of
the vintage (and best values in the very
limited top
range). One key component of the Left Bank vs
Right
Bank wines is the much higher concentration of
Cabernet in the blend.
Chateau Haute Bergey in the Graves
(Maybe the
most successful appellation in 2009). As I said with last weeks selection everyone seems to feel that Graves was excetionally successful and maybe the most consistent source of great wines in 2009. The Graves - now called Pessac Leogan which is the northern portion where Haut Brion (100), La Mission Haut Brion (100) Smith Haut Lafite (96), Domaine Chevelier (96) Haut Bailly (98) and the other top chateau are concenetrated) had exceptional success. This is the place to look for and great values in the 2nd tier estates.
I sold out my allocation of Haut Bergey in early June but I just got a called from Bordeaux about a cancelled order. I snapped up this new supply of 5 cases.
CHÂTEAU HAUT-BERGEY Pessac-Léognan
2009 Score: 92-94 6 bottles $245, $449 per 12 bottle case
"One of the best over-achieving, value-priced
wines in Pessac-Leognan, Haut-Bergey's
vineyard enjoys a superb location near
Malartic-Lagraviere and Domaine de Chevalier.
Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and the
rest primarily Cabernet Franc and a dollop of
Petit Verdot, the opaque purple-hued 2009
reveals a big, exuberant nose of charcoal,
black currants, sweet cherries, and graphite.
Dense and full-bodied, with beautiful purity,
texture, and length, it should drink well for
20+ years. (Tasted two times.) - WA Robert Parker
The Wine Spectaor agrees: "Pretty nose of blackberry and mineral that follows through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Juicy and rich. Very well done. Score range: 90-93 - James Suckling
There is no question that 2009 is going to be
one of the greatest Bordeaux vintages of our
lifetimes. Parker, Tanzer, La Revue du Vin de
France, Wine Spectator - they all agree.
Let's hear
what the big names have been saying about the
2009s.
"...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
Ordering is easy: Hit "Reply" and
indicate
your
desired
quantity. Please pay at the time of your
reservation, or, if you prefer, pay 50% to
confirm your reservation and 50% October
1st.
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