This is often the biggest day in the year for many Chateaux, negociants, merchants and collectors; the day Robert Parker releases his scores for the current Bordeaux vintage. We have been waiting with bated breath for Big Bob’s reaction to this already massively hyped vintage. And he hasn’t disappointed, `for some Médocs and Graves, 2009 may turn out to be the finest vintage I have tasted in 32 years of covering Bordeaux. From top to bottom, 2009 is not as consistent as 2005, but the peaks of quality in 2009 may turn out to be historic`.The headlines are impressive; more potentially perfect scores than ever before, 21 in all and a host of wines flirting with perfection in the 96-99 point category. There is also a new asterisk system that denotes the greatest potential seen at the estate in Robert’s 32 years of tasting; we lost count of the number of asterisked wines, but it is worth pointing out two outstanding successes that we got very excited about and it would seem that Mr Parker shares our enthusiasm: the sublime Saint Pierre from St Julien, which receives 94-98* and Malartic-Lagraviere Rouge, which receives 93-95*. He also continues with a message to consumers about the wines from the less celebrated appellations.
`I hope readers will take a serious look at many of the less prestigious appellations and wines from those areas as they will no doubt represent fabulous bargains in 2009. Given the overall style of the 2009s, which combine creamy, voluptuous textures and sensational fruit-driven opulence with remarkable finesse, precision, purity, and vibrancy, the best of the “little” wines will be delicious young, as will many of the classified-growths. This is a magical vintage!`
