Highly Recommended

90–94pts

Echo de Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2009 Decanter average score: 93/100pts Individual judges’ scores: Jane Anson 92 Sebastian Payne MW 94 Steven Spurrier 93 £35-£45 CA Rookes, Frazier’s, Highbury Vintners

On the palate, deep red and black fruits, silky, caramel. This is a very good expression of Pauillac Cabernet fruit, with lots of flesh and depth, tannins and acidity for the future. Very good! Drink 2016-2024 Alcohol 13%

Pavillon de Léoville Poyferré, St-Julien 2009 92 JA 90 SP 95 SS 91 £24-£35

Fine & Rare, R&B Wines, The Cardinal’s Cellar

This is a young wine with aromas of red fruits and cedar on the nose. There is a lovely level of spice and precision. The palate shows good grip but is still a bit green. It needs lots of time.

Drink 2016-2020 Alc 13.5%

La Dame de Montrose, St-Estèphe 2009 91 JA 89 SP 91 SS 92 £34 (ib)

Berry Bros & Rudd

A deep, young red wine with good grip of Cabernet fruit, showing strength, length and an element of fun. It has the vigour and class of St-Estèphe. Drink 2016-2022 Alc 13.5%

BriO de Cantenac Brown, Margaux 2010 90 JA 90 SP 91 SS 90 £20 (ib)

Fine & Rare

Displays a fine Cabernet fragrance on the nose with elegant fruit on the palate, and it’s full of black fruit flavours. The tannins are well integrated, but it is a little closed right now. Drink 2017-2025 Alc 13.5%

Ségla, Margaux 2010 93 JA 93 SP 94 SS 92 £24.50-£43 Claret-e, Spirited Wines

Beautifully elegant fruit is present on the nose. Supple mid-palate and clear ageing ability as the tannins are still young. Acidity is well balanced, and there is real grip on the palate. Black fruits, liquorice and wet stone texture. Drink 2017-2030 Alc 13.5%

La Réserve de Leoville Barton, St-Julien 2010 91 JA 93 SP 90 SS 89 £25 (ib)

Bon Coeur, Corkr, Fine & Rare, Justerini & Brooks, R&B Wines, Wine Direct

The nose displays aromas of tobacco leaf and smoke. It is a well-integrated wine that shows balance and a juicy quality to its damson fruit. It has great persistence and is worth keeping.

Drink 2017-2028 Alc 13%

Diane de Belgrave, Haut-Médoc 2010 90 JA 91 SP 90 SS 90 £18.50

Oddbins

This is a youthful red with clear integrity of fruit. The tannins are firm with good depth of flavour, showing touches of blackcurrant and black chocolate. This should age very well. Drink 2017-2025 Alc 13.5%

Lacoste Borie, Pauillac 2010 92 JA 92 SP 94 SS 90 £18-£29 Widely available in the UK through leading Bordeaux merchants

This is a smooth, rich and powerful wine with plenty of Pauillac typicity. It shows elegant Cabernet fruit with good grip, spicy character and bags of vitality. Drink 2017-2025 Alc 13.5%

La Dame de Malescot, Margaux 2010 91 JA 90 SP 93 SS 90 £32.50

Tanners

A wine with personality, and plenty of time ahead. It shows good depth of fruit on the palate, however, with tannins still quite present, still needs to develop fully. Liquorice dominates the finish. Shows potential for this vintage. Drink 2016-2025 Alc 13.5%

Marquis de Calon, St-Estèphe 2009 91 JA 92 SP 92 SS 89 £24 (ib) Capital Vintners, Ditton Wine Traders, Goedhuis & Co, Millésima, Nickolls & Perks

This wine has a classy nose that is followed by a chocolate and damson palate. This is a huge, modern style of wine. It’s fun, polished, rich and long. Drink 2016-2025 Alc 14%

Duluc de Branaire-Ducru, St-Julien 2009 90 JA 90 SP 92 SS 89 £26-£28.50

Fine & Rare, Millésima, Sheldon’s

A cedar perfume on the nose, with good length of flavour and concentration on the palate. This is slightly more chunky than elegant, which means it has huge potential. Drink 2016-2024 Alc 13.5% ➢

‘2009 is ripe and generous, 2010 often even finer – you can buy with confidence’ Sebastian Payne MW