I like to disagree. You say it’s blue. I say it’s Pantone 267. Wine experts have purported 2009 to be one of the best years in Bordeaux. And I agree…sort of.

Union de Grand Cru recently hosted another amazing event, pouring over 100 bottles of 2009 classified Bordeaux at the Marriott Marquis NYC.

In past serious wine tastings, I tried wines that tasted ripe, balanced and ready to drink now. Other wines tasted very dry but showed great potential to age. Some wines just tasted bad—too fruity (like grape juice), too acidic (like weak orange juice past it’s expiration date) or just too much oak, rose petals or barnyard funk. In other words: unbalanced.

I couldn’t believe it. Each bottle of Bordeaux from the 2009 vintage tasted perfectly balanced and delicious. The wines exhibited high fruit, tannin and acidity in perfect harmony. Too young to fully enjoy them now but they all showed great potential to age.  Right bank, merlot-based wines were luscious and some are ready to drink now. But why would you?

Bordeaux wines from 2009 vintage should mature beautifully over the next 20 years.

My only critique of 2009 in general is that I didn’t pick up many exotic nuances like in past vintages. Sure, after 100 wines they can start to taste the same but 2009 seemed more focused than other years. More unified. More refined. I guess those exotic hints of cassis, lavender, tree bark, truffles and lead pencil can potentially mature into a wine that tastes unbalanced. But often those little hints of exotic flavor develop into a wine that is only Bordeaux: Perfect.

But then again, predicting how a wine will taste in 20 years is like picking the next NFL superstar. Some college Heisman trophy winners end up selling insurance after 5 years. Experts pick them to excel in the NFL but they just never live up to expectations.  And once in a while a guy picked 199th could turn into one of the best QBs to play the position (Tom Brady).

Nothing is 100% but 2009 Bordeaux might be the closest thing to a sure pick. It’s like Andrew Luck playing for Indianapolis Colts. It’s the perfect environment for this young QB to grow into a great football player. Perhaps one of the best.

I’m all in on 2009 Bordeaux.

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TGB PICKS!

TGB 10 pt. Rating Scale: 10-8 Special, 7-5 Recommend, 4-1 Pass

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10

CLINET

Ripe, High Acid, Ethereal, balance, Rhubarb

RP 97-100

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10

FIGEAC

Perfect balance, Medium-ripe, Dark cherry
WS 97-100

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9

PICHON-LONGUEVILLE-BARON

Dark cherry, Red brick , Very nice
RP 93-95

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9

HAUT-BAILLY

RP 96-98+

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9

CLIMENS 2009

Tea, Beautiful, Hibiscus

RP 96-98

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9

GRAND-PUY-LACOSTE

Ripe cherry, Nice now
WS 94-97

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9

LA CONSEILLANTE

Acidic, Long finish, Herbal

RP 95-98

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9

SMITH HAUT LAFITTE

New world, Okra, Black tar
RP 96-98+

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9

LYNCH BAGES

Light cherry, Elegant, Balance
WS 96-99

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8

BATAILLEY

Concentrated fruit, Orange peel
WS 92-95

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8

BEAUREGARD

Red Fruit
WS 88-91

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8

CANON-LA GAFFELIÈRE

Cherry, Acidity, Austere
WS 94-97

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8

COUTET

Delicious

RP 96-98

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8

GISCOURS

Ripe berry, Rhubarb
WS 92-95

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8

GRUAUD-LAROSE

Black cherry, Sharp tannin, Balanced fruit
WS 94-97

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8

PAPE-CLÉMENT

Ripe, Mineral, Beef
RP 95-97+

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8

TALBOT

Cloves, Clovers
WS 92-95