A European Vacation

The 2009 vintage in Bordeaux was one of the best in recent memory. All across the region, Left Bank or Right, wines fared well with both the ratings professionals (WS, WA et al) and consumers. So when we can get hold of an exceptional wine at a very competitive price, we make sure to bring it in.

Chateau Faugeres produces wines with a unique character which are constantly developing, becoming more and more elegant and attractive. The 2009 Saint Emilion Grand Cru consistently scored between 92 and 94 points.

This was the first harvest to be vinified entirely in the new cellar, designed by Mario Botta and known as the "cathedral of wine", using all the latest processing technology, such as cold storage rooms, visual sorting, gravity flow on three levels, pneumatic crushing and automatic density control.

The wines of this vintage are characterized by exceptional concentration, rarely equaled, and outstanding balance.

The fruit is excellent, rich, complex and dense on the palate, with velvety tannins displaying perfect ripeness, with a very long finish, both powerful and elegant. With thanks to Mother Nature.

James Suckling, 94 Points: "Aromas of smoke, meat, minerals, dried flowers and sandalwood with fruit. Full body, with round, velvety tannins and lots of juicy ripe fruit. Chewy and delicious. Needs at least four to five years to soften."

Wine Advocate, 93 points: "Full-bodied and dark ruby/purple, with a nose of graphite, pen ink, blueberries and black raspberries, the wine is deep, dense and pure, with a broad, savory texture and a long finish with no astringency.  Drink this beauty over the next 15-20 years."

Wine Spectator, 93 Points: "Dense in its layers of blackberry, linzer torte and plum sauce, but caressing in feel, with silky structure and a long finish that has a well-buried, chalky minerality. Almost approachable now, but the precision and balance are there for the cellar. Best from 2013 through 2025."

85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. $49.99 in the Bottle Club®.