Search Results

This new discovery is almost too good to be true. Chateau Chadenne's La Fleur is a gorgeous Fronsac from the famed 2009 vintage, a wine that I fell head over heels for when tasting a few months back and couldn't wait to share with folks at K&L. It's now here and stands tall as one of the best buys in Bordeaux, the kind of combination of value, vintage, and age that you really don't see anywhere else. Just as when I first tasted it, I'm enamored with how fresh and lively this 2009 is. When I think about how the style and panache of the 2009 vintage should evolve with time, it tastes like this. Floral and wild berry aromas lead to a palate that's full of red-to-black fruit, terrific acid lift, and well-integrated tannins that follow through to a finish with a stony, mineral edge that feels very much at home in Fronsac's clay-limestone hills, along with a touch of spice. A beautiful combination of freshness and richness, it hits all the hallmarks of this celebrated vintage. A remarkable wine that defies its low price, this is one to buy by the case. It will impress wine drinkers of all stripes and, given how fresh, composed, and vibrant it remains today, should continue to evolve gracefully for another ten to twenty years. This is a modern classic and a not-to-be-missed value.

The quality of the fruit and tannins are very pretty here. It’s full-bodied, with round velvety texture and a delicious finish. Very impressive.

At the core of the Discovery Series is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not just placing a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep, trusted network of sources. Each wine must rise above its peers, often outperforming bottles at multiples of the price. Only those that meet this high bar make it into the lineup. And speaking of high bars, we just set the standard for remarkable value in the Discovery Series, with a delicious St-Emilion with over fifteen years of bottle age for under $15. Only a dollar a year, which is an incredibly high standard at any stage in the game. I adored this opportunity when we first tasted it, and through tough negotiations, and even after a round of tariffs, I'm still shocked that we're able to offer a wine this solid, with this kind of age, all for this price. It is a generous expression of St-Emilion, but the broad, delicious quality of the vintage also shines through. Approaching maturity with a long life ahead, it carries beautiful aromatics of red fruits, leather, and florals, with a palate that has a core of plum and cassis, wild berry, and a soft, easygoing finish. Everything is in place, and I'm certain there's not a better buy in today's market for a perfectly aged Bordeaux from a signature vintage.

Truly flavorsome, the blackberry, raspberry puree and rich black cherry fruits here are dense, generous and fully ripe, but manage to retain a savory rosemary, coffee bean and black olive edge. It makes you smile involuntarily, in that way that great wine does. You almost want to forbid people from eating anything with this wine, at least for the first glass, and certainly forbid them from putting it on a table with other trophy wines where its impact will be softened. It demands - and should receive - full concentration. Textured slate runs through the mid-palate and brings a jolt of minerality through the finish. You could drink this today after carafing but you just know that it's barely out of the starting blocks. (JA)

Bid on this bottle of 2009 Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne (97JS, 96DC, 96JM, 96WS, 95IWR, 94JG, 94VN, 93RP, 92BH, 92W&S). James Suckling: "This is a DP that shows the ripeness of the 2009 vintage yet remains full of energy. Gorgeous aromas of cream, apple, mango, honeysuckle, and chalk follow through to a full body and super fine, tight texture. Dense and agile. Vinous. It’s like a top grand cru white Burgundy. Think Bâtard-Montrachet. More depth than the 2006. " (07/2017)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Dana Estates "Lotus Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (OWC - 97RP, 95ST, 93WS) in original wood. Wine Advocate: "A rich, sensual wine, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard captures the best qualities of the vintage. Layers of dark red fruit, kirsch, sweet spices, tobacco and herbs saturate the palate as this large-scaled, voluptuous wine opens up in the glass. There is a purity and centeredness to the 2009 that is striking. At the same time, the tannins aren’t quite as polished as they are in the very best wines here. Overall, though, that is a pretty small critique for a wine that delivers so much pure pleasure. Exotic spice and kirsch notes reappear on the finish. The 2009 was fermented in a combination of 45% oak uprights, 45% cement and 10% barriques. It spent 26 months in 100% new French oak barrels. (AG)" (12/2012)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Dana Estates "Hershey Vineyard" Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (OWC - 94WS, 93RP, 93ST, 93VN) in original wood. Wine Spectator: "Bold, rustic, dense and chewy, this is a powerful yet harnessed expression of mountain-grown Cabernet. Firm, with spice, floral, dried currant and berry flavors, ending with a loamy earth minerality. (JL)" (10/2012)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Harlan Estate Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (97VN, 96WS, 93DC). Vinous: "Stylistically, the 2009 Harlan Estate has quite a bit in common with the 2012, namely soft contours, plush fruit and tons of sheer immediacy. Now with a few years in bottle, the 2009 is just beginning to show the first signs of aromatic development. Deep, creamy and pliant, the 2009 can be enjoyed now, although it is sure to gain complexity over the next two decades. (AG)" (09/2017)

Density, power, concentration, this is a full on Pauillac, with a ton of cassis and blueberry, liquorice, espresso, cocoa bean, with an intense muscular tannic frame. Precise architecture, it delivers on the promise that has been building for several years - muscular, ripped, will power for decades. 70% new oak.

I loved the 2009 Château Barde-Haut. (This vintage always seems to rank in the top tier in any retrospective I do.) Still ruby/purple-hued with a huge nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, unsmoked tobacco, toasted spices, and loamy earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, no hard edges, sweet tannins, and remarkable purity of fruit.

Open, ready to drink, fleshy and enjoyable, great value for money. Brambled black fruits with redcurrant and pomegranate freshness running through, plenty of dark spice and melted tannins. Hard not to say that this is just a great drinking wine, ready to enjoy.

Currants and crushed blackberries, with hints of flowers on the nose. Full body, yet refined and beautiful with polished tannins and a long finish. So balanced. Excellent second wine from Pichon Baron.

A true superstar that flirts with perfection, the 2009 Clos L'Eglise checks in at the top of the heap of great vintages, including 1998, 2000, 2005, and 2016. Still youthful ruby/plum-hued with a spectacular bouquet of chocolatey black cherry and currant fruits, graphite, leafy herbs, unsmoked tobacco, and a kiss of earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness as well as an incredible sense of opulence with no weight or heaviness. The usual blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, it has ripe, polished tannins, stunning purity of fruit, a great mid-palate, and is just a magical, heavenly Pomerol to enjoy over the coming 15-20 years.

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Domaine Joseph Roty Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Très Vieilles Vignes (94BH, 94RP). Wine Advocate: "Good deep red. Very ripe aromas of cherries macerated in alcohol, mocha and wild herbs. Generous, pliant and highly concentrated, with lovely floral, mineral and minty high notes lifting the ripe cherry fruit. Finishes tactile, chewy and very long, with noble, sweet tannins and hints of game and menthol. These vines date back to 1885, but Philippe Roty is quick to point out that there has been a lot of repiquage (replanting of individual vines as they die) along the way. I would not be surprised if this wine merited a higher score 10 or 15 years down the road. (ST) 94+" (03/2010)

Bid on this 3 liter of 2009 Palmer, Margaux (3L) (99JD, 98JS, 98WE, 97DC, 97RP, 96VN, 95ST, 95WS). Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2009 Palmer is unquestionably one of the greatest young Bordeaux I’ve tasted, and it has a rare mix of richness and elegance that’s incredible. Blackcurrants, violets, lead pencil shavings and a touch of minerality all emerge from this rich, massively concentrated Margaux that still glides across the palate with no sense of weight or heaviness. It’s perfectly balanced, has a ripe, hedonistic core of fruit, as well as integrated acidity. It’s a dream today, but is going to have 30-40 years or more of prime drinking." (12/2017)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2009 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95DC, 92JS, 91RP, 91ST). Decanter: "The 2009 Southing is a coiled-up, red-fruited, muscular Pinot. The nose is compact with whispers of cherry, vanilla, sweet cedar, herbs, and a pronounced iron-like mineral note. Muscular, with powerful beams of tannins, a firm backbone of grippy acidity, and a finish marked by dark chocolate, mint, earth, and conifer. (JC)" (04/2023)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 2009 Kistler "Cuvée Natalie - Silver Belt Vineyard" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (95RP, 95VN, 94ST). Vinous: "The Pinot Noir Silver Belt Vineyard Cuvée Natalie is lifted, savory and aromatic, while the Bodega Headlands Vineyard Cuvée Elizabeth is more overt and fruit-driven in style. Both wines remain quite primary, though, so readers who prefer more tertiary nuances will want to give the 2009s a few more years in the cellar. I am down to my last few bottles, and hope to have the patience to wait for the wines to enter their sweet spot. (AG)" (01/2015)

Bid on this bottle of 2009 Sea Smoke "Botella" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (92RP). Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Pinot Noir Botella sweeps across the palate with deep, rich layers of dark fruit. Smoke, licorice, incense and leather develop in the glass. The Botella is one of the more extroverted, juicy Pinots in this lineup. The wine’s persistence, depth and overall sense of harmony are all first-rate. (AG)" (08/2012)

Bid on this bottle of 2009 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac (100JD, 100RP, 100TWP, (98-100WE), 98JA, 98JS, 96WS). Wine Advocate: "An amazing wine in every sense, this classic, full-bodied Pauillac is the quintessential Pontet Canet from proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who continues to reduce yields and farms his vineyards biodynamically – a rarity in Bordeaux. Black as a moonless night, the 2009 Pontet Canet offers up notes of incense, graphite, smoke, licorice, creme de cassis and blackberries. A wine of irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight and richness, and sensational freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or more years. The tannins are elevated, but they are sweet and beautifully integrated as are the acidity, wood and alcohol (which must be in excess of 14%) ... (RP)" (12/2011)

Bid on this 7-bottle lot of 2009 Ketcham Estate "Ketcham Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

The 2009 Meyney is a step up from Haut-Marbuzet and Lafon-Rochet on the nose: blackberry, raspberry, crushed stone, forest floor and a hint of pain d’épices - wonderful definition and intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, very well judged acidity. Good grip and quite stocky/broad-shouldered in style with a persistent but at the moment, still a tightly wound finish. This is impressive and when its identity is revealed - cue gasps from the audience. Go buy. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. (NM)

This is what the Medoc is all about. The freshness and delicacy of this wine in combination with its serious concentration and firm core are totally stunning. Time has already worked its magic and this is already delicious, but has decades in front of it.

In comparison to the 2010 vintage, the 2009 d'Yquem is more concentrated with a stunning "rôti," the consequence of noble rot in French. Developing a powerful, complex bouquet with aromas of pineapple, apricot, saffron, flowers, spices and orchard fruits, it’s dense and concentrated, full-bodied and layered with a crystalline texture complicated by notes of white truffles that reveal a racy, endless and a superb finish concluding with a pristine harmony. Readers with bottles in their cellars will have to be patient before opening this masterpiece with 155 grams of residual sugar. (YC)

The 2009 Branaire-Ducru is another killer wine from this vintage that’s drinking spectacularly well at age 10. Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it’s still ruby/purple color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedar box, and even a hint of forest floor. Full-bodied, broad, expansive, and layered on the palate, it builds nicely with time in the glass, has sweet tannins, no hard edges, and a blockbuster finish. This incredible wine can be enjoyed any time over the coming 2-3 decades or more. Bravo!

The 2009 Lafite was exquisite, and it spoke to me immediately as a wine of perfection, with a pronounced, forward aroma of blackcurrant and pomegranate fruit with hints of violets, spice, smoke, and earth. The texture was lush and seductive, with impressive density, balanced freshness, and enough extract to draw this to an unbelievably long finish. Oddly to me, it was not the unanimous favourite of the assembled tasters, but defending this beautiful wine is a battle I will eagerly take on. (CC)

Bright, soft and fruity with plum and currant character, with full to medium body and a chewy finish. Muscular.

Gorgeous ripe fruit character, with loads of blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity, fresh, grapefruit aftertaste. Really beautiful. Best ever from here. Best after 2018.

At ten years of age this wine still displays a dense hue, lightly hazy and concentrated in the glass, with a touch of degradation to the cherry red rim. The nose is brimming with confidence, smoky with blackcurrant skins, juniper berry and bay leaf, along with notes of smouldering charcoal. There are also some fresher notes too, celery seed and celeriac leaf, interwoven with the dark fruit. Texturally full and confident on the palate, with a velvety yet also sinewy and savoury substance through the middle, run through with ripe and tightly grained tannins, peppery and slightly warm, with a long and confident finish. An excellent showing, so present and energetic, and with such length. As with previous notes, there are some methoxypyrazine threads here which some may find dissuasive, but I think it all works really well together, while maintaining a distinctive and slightly idiosyncratic style.

Bid on this magnum of 2009 Domaine J-F Mugnier Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de la Maréchale" (1.5L) (92BH, 92JG). Burghound: "I clearly misjudged this because while this is slightly riper than its 2010 counterpart with its mildly exotic yellow fruit aromas of honey, straw, peach and mango, there is genuinely excellent depth to the textured and opulent middle weight flavors that really coat the palate with dry extract. But it's the impressive length that really sets this apart from the 2010 because while this is a powerful vintage for the Clos de la Maréchale, it is the moderately firm acid spine that shapes the finish and imparts a real sense of focus. (AM)" (06/2012)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Domaine J-F Mugnier Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de la Maréchale" (92BH, 92RP, 92VN). Vinous: "Mugnier’s 2009 Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos de la Marechale was drop-dead gorgeous. Clos de la Marechale is another of my go-to wines, as it is readily available (by Burgundian standards) and rarely excessively marked up on restaurant lists. The 2009 was ripe, open and seductive. Although very much in the style of the year, the Clos de la Marechale also showed plenty of structure in support of the radiant, expressive fruit. Readers fortunate enough to own the 2009 can look forward to a broad and long drinking window. (AG)" (09/2013)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2009 Branon, Pessac-Léognan (98RP, 94ST, 94WS, 93VN). Wine Advocate: "This magnificent, dense plum/purple-colored Pessac-Leognan reveals notes of scorched earth, burning embers, blackberries and truffles. Composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a vineyard gorgeously situated between Malartic Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly, it possesses full-bodied power, a stunningly intense, voluptuous, layered mouthfeel and abundant levels of fruit, glycerin and tannin. The 2009 ranks alongside the magnificent 2000, which is aging at a glacial pace. Unfortunately, proprietress Helene Garcin only produces around 500 cases of this somewhat cult-ish Pessac-Leognan. (RP)" (02/2012)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 2009 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "SLV" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (93W&S, 91RP, 90CG). Wine & Spirits: "The finesse of Stags Leap District tannins is at the center of this wine, buoying pure cherry fruit from the initial scent through to a lasting finish. This is firm and vinous, with a depth and breadth that makes it a strong candidate for cellaring ten years or more. A graceful vintage of S.L.V.." (02/2013)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2009 Kistler "Hudson Vineyard" Carneros Chardonnay (96RP, 94ST, 94WS). Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard bursts onto the palate with waves of fruit. This is yet another dazzling wine from Kistler endowed with tremendous depth, detail and classiness. Smoke, crushed rocks and apricots are woven into the fabric of this seamless showstopper. The creamy, expansive finish makes it hard to resist a second taste. (AG) 96+" (02/2012)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Harlan "The Maiden" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (93RP, 92VN, 92WS). Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Proprietary Blend The Maiden wraps around the palate with dark cherries, plums, cinnamon, cloves and new leather. This is a surprisingly muscular style for the year, with quite a bit less of the early appeal than is found in many other wines. The aromas and flavors remain dark, powerful and brooding from start to finish. Flowers, cinnamon and mint add further complexity on the finish. (AG)" (12/2012)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2009 Bond "Matriarch" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (93WS, 91RP, 91VN). Wine Spectator: "Rich, dense and chewy too, this red offers a core of dried currant, dark berry, fresh-turned earth, black licorice and roasted herb notes. Ends with grainy tannins. (JL)" (10/2012)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Delas Frères "Domaine des Tourettes" Hermitage (98RP, 96JD, 93WS). Wine Advocate: "A wine that flirts with perfection is the inky and opaque 2009 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes. Coming from L'Ermite, le Sabot, and Les Bessards, and aged in a combination of new and used French oak barrels, it gives up a heavenly bouquet of crushed rocks, blackberries, leather, wild herbs and earth. Massively concentrated on the palate, with another level of fruit and texture over the 2010, it has brilliant purity, building tannin and a blockbuster finish. (JD)" (09/2015)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Léoville-Poyferré, St-Julien (100JD, 98RP, 97JA, 97JS, 97VN, 96WE). Jeb Dunnuck: "The greatest wine I’ve ever tasted from this address is the 2009 Léoville Poyferré, which is a step up over both the 2000 and the 2010. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and the balance Cabernet Franc that hit 13.9% alcohol, it offers everything you could ask of a wine and reveals a saturated purple color as well as incredible notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, lead pencil, exotic Spices, and dried flowers. Incredibly full-bodied, super concentrated, deep, and opulent, yet still pure, fresh, and lively, it has sweet tannin and a hedonistic vibe that hides its underlying structure." (02/2018)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Laforge, St-Emilion (96RP, 92JS, 92ST). Wine Advocate: "From proprietor Jonathan Maltus, this blend of three terroirs, two on sand and one on gravel, is a blend of 92% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. About 2, 000 cases are produced, and the prodigious 2009 is the finest vintage to date. Inky blue/purple, with notes of licorice, camphor, black truffle, blackberry and blueberry, this full-bodied wine has massive concentration yet at the same time displays elegance and harmony. The equilibrium and 60+-second length make for a huge, massive, but incredibly well-balanced wine, like a shadow of the proprietor himself. (RP)" (12/2011)

Bid on this magnum of 2009 Dana Estates "Lotus Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L) (OWC - 97RP, 95ST, 93WS) in original wood. Wine Advocate: "A rich, sensual wine, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard captures the best qualities of the vintage. Layers of dark red fruit, kirsch, sweet spices, tobacco and herbs saturate the palate as this large-scaled, voluptuous wine opens up in the glass. There is a purity and centeredness to the 2009 that is striking. At the same time, the tannins aren’t quite as polished as they are in the very best wines here. Overall, though, that is a pretty small critique for a wine that delivers so much pure pleasure. Exotic spice and kirsch notes reappear on the finish. The 2009 was fermented in a combination of 45% oak uprights, 45% cement and 10% barriques. It spent 26 months in 100% new French oak barrels. (AG)" (12/2012)

Bid on this 6 liter of 2009 Léoville-Barton, St-Julien (6L) (98WE, 96JS, 95WS, 93RP, 93ST). Wine Enthusiast: "*#3 on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2012* A major success of the vintage. The wine exhibits extreme richness of the fruit, with all its sweet blackberry flavors. It also has underlying firm structure, density and solid tannins. Bring in the acidity at the end, and this is both impressive and ready for long-term aging." (02/2012)

The 2009 Côte Rôtie Côte Blonde isn’t far off the 2010 but has a more sunny, opulent style that’s very much in the vibe of the vintage. Lots of ripe black raspberry fruits, graphite, peppery spice, and earthy minerality give way to a full-bodied, opulent wine with chewy tannins and a blockbuster finish. It too has another two decades or more of prime drinking.

The 2009 Langoa-Barton has a gorgeous bouquet with blackberry, bilberry, cedar and light tobacco aromas that blossom from the glass. This feels so composed and pure. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine-grain tannin, beautifully judged acidity and a svelte, languorous finish that fans out with style. What a gorgeous and utterly seductive Saint-Julien. It turns out to be Langoa Barton, a wine that I have rated very highly in the past. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

Château d’Arce is a small Castillon estate on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, an area long known for delivering Saint-Émilion character at a far friendlier price. The property was historically associated with vigneron Éric Lenormand, and its vineyards are planted on the limestone and clay soils that define much of the Castillon appellation. The 2009 vintage comes from one of Bordeaux’s standout years and is a classic Right Bank blend built around Merlot. Castillon’s limestone-rich plateau and hillsides help retain freshness while giving the wines structure and longevity.

It was difficult to chose a favorite although the 2009 Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Ridge, Hayne Vineyard and Library Vineyard are the three greatest in terms of concentration, depth and potential complexity. As I have said so many times, Petite Sirah is by far the most underrated varietal in California, so it is reassuring to see how many producers continue to make remarkable wines with around 13-14% alcohol as well as 20-40+ years of aging potential. (RP)

This Champagne is wonderfully rich on the nose, seducing with aromas of delicious yellow nectarines, sourdough, applesauce, white flowers and raspberries, alongside toast, tobacco and a hint of white truffles. It’s layered and generous with very fine, very soft bubbles. Already approachable, yet with subtle power and bright acidity to age for a long time. Fantastic length. Pinot noir from an enclosed, 1-hectare parcel of vines in Mareuil-sur-Ay planted in 1964. No malolactic. Over 13 years on the lees. 2 g/L dosage. Drink or hold. (CN)

Attractive, sweetly aromatic, red-floral perfume with dried red cherries and some dried strawberries, too. Only hints of leather here. The palate has a beautifully fresh, succulent and elegantly focused feel with a long sleeve of dried-cherry flavor and gently nutty notes to close. Dry, long and mouthwatering finish.

Founded in 1988, Signatory is an independent Scotch whisky bottler. This 2009 Secret Orkney (Highland Park) was matured for 15 years in a refill Oloroso sherry puncheon and bottled at cask strength without chill filtration. The refill designation indicates a cask previously used for whisky maturation, rather than its first use after holding sherry.

Still young and brooding, this is pure St Julien, pure Barton loveliness. Great quality, juicy, balanced, crayon and cassis, we are right in the heart of the appellation here, but with the intensity and concentration turned up to full. 60% new oak for ageing.