Chateau Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse 2009

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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+"

JEB DUNNUCK: "A blend of 77% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2009 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) is utter perfection, and man, what a wine. Deep, inky, incredibly concentrated, yet also silky and weightless, it delivers that rare mix of intensity and weightlessness on the palate. Offering layers of blackcurrants, crushed flowers, lead pencil, incense and loads of spice-box, it shows the intensity and rich of the 2009 vintage yet is perfectly balanced, has building tannins, and a huge finish. It’s as good as it gets. Give bottles another 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 2-3 decades."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur-Granat. Verrücktes Waldbeerbouquet, dezent laktisch-rahmige Fülle mit schönem Lakritzton dahinter. Sublimer Gaumen, veloursartiges Extrakt, ein gewaltiges Fruchtkonzentrat, das aufgrund der reifen Tannine bemit einem berauschend-süssen Finale endet. Ganz sicher der erste wieder ganz grosse Wein von diesem Weingut seit dem legendären 1990er! Kaufen!"

WINE SPECTATOR: " 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. 1,540 cases made."

JAMES SUCKLING: "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."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Fresh blackberry fruits give a smooth wine, rich and with an immediately attractive fresh acidity. It does have the density of fruit along with relatively soft tannins. At the back there is a more chocolate character."

FALSTAFF: "Feine tabakige Würze, frische Herzkirschen, Waldbeerkonfit. Saftig, stoffig, gute Komplexität, rund, gut integrierte Tannine, mineralisch, bleibt gut haften, elegant und anhaltend."