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Beauséjour Duffau 2009

Tasting Notes

This big wine (nearly 15% natural alcohol) is a blend of 77% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. It boasts an opaque blue/purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of charcoal, incense, truffles, blackberry jam, black currants, raspberries and flowers. While enormous in the mouth, the limestone soils in which the grapes are grown give the wine good freshness as well as laser-like clarity and precision. Amazing to taste, this massive, super-concentrated powerhouse comes across as ethereal and almost feminine despite its extravagant fruit, density and richness. It is a modern day legend for sure! Anticipated maturity: 2025-2050+

As I wrote after I tasted this cuvee from barrel, it is clearly the greatest Beausejour-Duffau since the immortal 1990. Under new management, the brilliant duo of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt is in the process of developing what is one of the great hillside terroirs of Bordeaux and St.-Emilion.

100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012

The 2009 Beausejour Duffau Lagarosse is a blend of 75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is very tight on the nose compared to the others - lifted briary and wild hedgerow notes, hints of dried violet and strawberry preserve. The palate is medium-bodied with chunky ripe tannins. It feels succulent towards the finish, fanning out nicely with blackberry, boysenberry and cedar. Very focused, judicious extraction here with a great life ahead. Tasted December 2012.

96+
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

Aromas of sliced fresh mushrooms, with dark berries and hints of lemons. Full-bodied, with tight and chewy tannins that are very polished and rich. A finish of dark berries and polished tannins. Serious austerity to this. Try in 2018.

94
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2012

Bright and crimson. Not much nose and a little tired. Succulent fruit on the palate. Then pretty dry, angular. A long way from knit! More interest than some of the simply sweet. Chewy juicy cherry juice. Date tasted 30th March 2010. Drink 2017-2030.

16.5+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010

Focused power. This muscular red shows drive, yet remains graceful, with fresh plum and currant flavors, backed by mineral, tar and floral notes. The dense texture stays fresh through the sweet, spicy finish. Best from 2014 through 2030.-J.M.

95
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider (Vol 8, 3), January 2012

First vintage with Stephane Derenoncourt as consultant and clearly a change for the best. Aromatically purer, better fruit expression and tannins with a finer edge. Drink 2016-2030.

17.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010
Read more tasting notes...

Unquestionably the greatest Beausejour-Duffau since the 1990, this property has made a strong comeback under the brilliant management of Nicolas Thienpont and Stephane Derenoncourt. One of St.-Emilion's greatest terroirs, it has underperformed in most vintages, although it generally produces very interesting wines because of its location and old vines. The 2009 is a whopper. A blend of 77% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 14.8% natural alcohol, there is no hint of its aging in 100% new oak barrels given the extraordinary concentration and texture of the fruit. An inky/purple color is accompanied by a sumptuous bouquet of spring flowers, black truffles, wet rocks, blackberries, and black currants. The wine builds incrementally in the mouth with an ethereal lightness and precision that is unexpected in view of its massive concentration, power, and intensity. One of the vintage's most compelling efforts, it should evolve for 30-40 years. Bravo! (Tasted three times.) Drink 2010-2050.

96/98+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.