Bordeaux 2009: Tasting in 2012
I wasn’t expecting to return to 2009 Bordeaux at this time, having not long tasted through a much larger representative sample at the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting last year. In fact I was anticipating that my next taste of this vintage would not be for a couple more years, when the wines will be presented at the annual Institute of Masters of Wine tasting on their fourth birthday, and so this opportunity to look again – even if the line-up of wines is small – is an unlooked-for but welcome bonus.
Although I have tasted many wines from this vintage already, in a number of cases several times, it was clear that for some of my fellow tasters at the recent Grand Cru Classé Tasting they were meeting the wines for the first time. And it was also very clear that they were impressed. “There’s just so much fruit!” one exclaimed, her voice filled with an incredulity that clearly indicated this was an unexpected finding in such young Bordeaux. This is a vintage to woo those perhaps less keen on the more austere, drier, food-needy style with which the region is perhaps more traditionally associated. The vintage is, generalising, rich in texture and sweet fruit flavours, the palates broad and creamy as a result. As on previous encounters with the vintage, I found the wines extraordinarily easy to taste. In fact, the wines were an absolute pleasure. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it!
