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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.Vinous Media | 94 VMVery dense and still rather reserved, with dark blueberry, blackberry and fig notes rolled together, framed by freshly brewed espresso and Black Forest cake notes. Long and tarry through the finish, with a melted licorice snap note hanging on at the very end. Best from 2014 through 2030. 10,000 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WSA deceptively approachable wine. Its gorgeous fruits are right up front, their ripeness powered by a generous, complex texture. There is concentration, but it is surrounded by so much richness. It can almost be drunk now, but should age well.Wine Enthusiast | 93 WEA rich and fleshy wine, yet it remains decisively dry. Attractive blueberry aroma and impressive supple tannins make this very harmonious. If it was slightly brighter in the nose this would rate even higher.James Suckling | 93 JSBackward, tannic and beefy, this youthful but formidable 2009 Langoa Barton exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as lots of damp earth, underbrush and black currant aromas and flavors, medium to full body, lively acids and, not surprisingly, massive tannins (a characteristic of all the Barton wines). The overall impression is somewhat incongruous, having a certain precociousness in the aromatics, but then clamping down on the taster in the mouth. I recommend waiting 5-7 years before opening a bottle. It should drink well over the following 20-25 years.Robert Parker | 90+ RP

The 2009 Roc de Cambes is quite backward like the 2009 La Gomerie with ample redcurrant, raspberry, loam and sandalwood aromas eventually coming through with aeration. It does not quite possess the cohesion of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, velvety smooth in texture with a lovely dash of black pepper and clove that infuses the plush red fruit. Firmly into its secondary phase, this feels à point, though I appreciate the persistency on the finish. Very fine. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.Vinous Media | 93 VMA very deep red, with dense plum and cherry aromas, very oaky and forceful. It is sumptuous and very concentrated on the palate, although a touch aggressive now. This is an imposing wine which has real grandeur, but it remains tannic and chewy and has a long way to go. Less finesse but more overt power than the 2010. Long.DECANTER | 93 DEC

This is fairly tight and buttoned down, and the inflexibility of the tannins dampens the expression of the fruit. It's good quality, no question, and the cassis fruit has a ripeness to it once it opens up, but it ends a little abruptly and isn't showing the generosity of the vintage. Recent vintages of this property have seen a big step up in quality and I'm certain that this wine on its own with some food would be a delicious 2009, but it doesn't stand up in the lineup today. Drinking Window 2019 - 2032.Decanter | 90 DECA wine with sliced-plum and lemon character and hints of lemon grass on the nose and palate. Medium to full body with fresh acidity and a clean finish. Try after 2016.James Suckling | 90 JSThe 2009 Belgrave has a ripe red cherry, kirsch scented bouquet with hints of raisin and fig. It is just flirting with over-ripeness...but not over-ripe! The palate is medium-bodied with candied red fruit, a little chewy in texture and perhaps needing more mineralité on the finish. Yet, there is fine density and decent precision on the finish. Maybe give this another couple of years in bottle. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting.Vinous Media | 90 VMA wine with luscious red fruits and bold acidity, The dense texture adds to the firm, solid tannins. This is a wine that offers both short-term attraction and long-term aging. Wine Enthusiast | 90 WEShows the ripeness of the vintage, featuring sleek linzer torte and plum confiture flavors laced with mouthwatering spice and sweet tobacco notes. This has well-integrated toast and a very racy finish. Drink now through 2015. 18,100 cases made. Wine Spectator | 90 WS