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."

This is the last of my allocation of Chateau Charmail. I love finding the super over achievers that rival the best Bordeaux estates for half theie price. Charmail fills the Bordeaux "insider best buy" bill in every way.

Built in the middle of the 19th century, Château Charmail sits in an ideal location overlooking the Gironde River. Charmail's vineyards are located just north of St Estephe (home to 2nd Growth Calon Segur, Cos Estournel and Montrose - all over $1500 a case in 2009). This St Estephe border area is the where some of the Medoc's best cru Bourgeois (and greatest Bordeaux values) are found.

The vineyards benefits from milder temperatures and the chance for better ripening because of the rivers effects on temperature.

Winemaking is per-formed by the owner, Olivier Sèze, a Sèze has be-come a veritable pioneer ("maverick" might be the more accurate term) in the Médoc. Since 1991, his successful development of the technique called, "pre-fermentation, cold maceration" It results in deeply colored, "fatter" wines with softer tannins than might otherwise be the case using traditional fermentation techniques. Only 4 cases left.

CHATEAU CHARMAIL Hautes Medoc Rating 89-91 $269.88 ($22.50) per case "This classic over-performer has turned out another super-attractive, supple-textured, dark ruby/purple- colored wine displaying notes of flowers, licorice, spice, and background oak. It should drink nicely for a decade or more. (Tasted two times.)" - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate."

Here is 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.

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.

The Details:

These are "Futures Offers". That is, you get a much lower price - and for the best wines; access before they are sold out. You need to pay for your wines to confirm your order.