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2009 Bordeaux – Robert Parker’s “Magical 20”

“I have chosen estates that produce wines of first growth quality…Consequently, they are under-valued and very smart acquisitions.”
Robert Parker

Hi from Matt,

Considered by some to be the most significant event benchmarking Bordeaux Chateaux since the original 1855 classification, last week Robert Parker lead a Grand Tasting of what he describes as “The Magical 20″ – twenty Bordeaux Chateau that he considers to be of “First Growth Quality”.  As Parker said where the tasting was held; “I have chosen estates that produce wines of first growth quality, although technically not first growths. Consequently, they are under-valued and very smart acquisitions.”

The Grand Tasting was held at Winefuture 2011 in Hong Kong and attended by over 1,000 critics, trade and aficionados.  Prior to the tasting Winefuture organiser Pancho Campo MW announced; “Parker has chosen 20 wines he deems to have first growth potential. This could really shift the way that Bordeaux is traded in Asia.”

Following the tasting, Jancis Robinson MW commented; “This line-up of wines was generally exceptional: seriously impressive, confirming the impression given by the UGC tasting on which I reported recently that 2009 is showing even better than its early promise in barrel.  Parker himself hinted that he would be revising his scores upwards too.”

I’m pleased to offer you the opportunity to secure your share from our en-primeur stocks of a selection that featured in the Top 10 of “The Magical 20″.  The wines are due to land in New Zealand in June 2012, direct from Chateau, and trucked and shipped in refrigerated container.

If you missed out on securing these wines during our 2009 En Primeur campaign, or wish to secure more, this will be the last opportunity at these prices.  As the London International Vintners Exchange (Liv-ex) say; “ Many of these so-called Magical 20 wines have seen a significant uptick in demand in 2011 and it is possible that this trend could continue.  Given that the Magical 20 wines trade at an average 85 per cent discount to the First Growths, Parker seems to be right in suggesting that there is plenty of relative value in these wines. A narrowing of the discount to say 70 per cent could see these wines double in price.”

As you can see, quantities are limited, so to secure your share simply complete the order form below and reply email to wine@finewinedelivery.co.nz

Best Regards
Matt

Robert Parker’s “Magical 20”

1. Chateau Cos D’Estournel 2009 – St Estephe 2nd Growth

$687+GST & Landing Charges
7 bottles available

98-100 points
“The 2009 Cos d’Estournel is one of the greatest young wines I have ever tasted … in the world! An extraordinary effort I tasted on two separate occasions, this blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with a dollop of Cabernet Franc has a whopping 14.5% alcohol, but a remarkably normal pH of 3.69. Kudos to Jean-Guillaume Prats and owner Michel Reybier for this amazing wine made from yields of 33 hectoliters per hectare. It will be a legendary claret that should last for 50-60 years. A black/purple color is accompanied by aromas of graphite, ink, creme de cassis, blackberries, cedar, and incense. Full-bodied and unctuously textured, with an ethereal personality, tons of nuances, and a burgeoning complexity, it is an enormously well-endowed, fresh, perfectly balanced tour de force in winemaking. As mentioned above, it should drink well for 50-60 years. This wine possesses this vintage’s classic characteristics of enormous power, massive fruit, and extraordinary freshness and precision – largely unprecedented, particularly for Cabernet-based wines in the Medoc. (Tasted two times.)” Robert Parker

5. Chateau Léoville Las Cases 2009 – St Julien 2nd Growth

$527+GST & Landing Charges
8 bottles available

96-100 points
“The 2009 is one of the greatest Leoville Las Cases I have ever tasted, which is saying something given the many compelling wines that have been made at this estate. A final blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc has resulted in a wine that appears to be a hypothetical blend of the 1982, 1986, and 1996. Its 13.8% alcohol is perhaps the only thing that sets it apart from those vintages, which had nearly a full percentage point less. The high alcohol is barely noticeable in this 2009, which boasts an inky/purple color, monumental concentration, and great clarity and purity of creme de cassis, black cherry, spice box, graphite, and wet rock characteristics. Extremely full-bodied with a boatload of sweet tannin nearly concealed by the wine’s power, glycerin, and awesome fruit concentration, this intense effort never tastes heavy or tiring. This remarkable St.-Julien should be accessible in 3-4 years, and will evolve for 40-50. (Tasted once.)” Robert Parker

8. Chateau Pape Clement 2009 – Cru Classé Graves

$226+GST & Landing Charges
32 bottles available

95-97+ points
“A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Pape Clement is not as dense or provocative as the 2005, but it is a worthy competitor. Tighter and more muscular than the 2005, the 2009 reveals an opaque purple color along with notes of graphite, blueberries, and blackberries, stunning richness, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and tremendous length and intensity. Some patience will be required, and I do not believe this effort will achieve the near perfection of the 2005, but it is another winner in this extraordinary vintage. Yields were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and the wine finished around 13.5% alcohol. (Tasted four times.)  Historically one of the oldest vineyards in Bordeaux (having once been owned by Pope Clement, who gets more credit for what he did in Chateauneuf du Pape than in Graves), this 700-year old Pessac vineyard has turned out another profound wine under the administration of proprietor Bernard Magrez.” Robert Parker

10. Château Angélus 2009 – St Emilion Premier grand cru classé

$499+GST & Landing Charges
10 bottles available

96-100 points
“Tasted this three separate times, and on two occasions I thought it had the potential to be a perfect wine. The home estate of Hubert de Bouard, this 62+ acre vineyard produced a 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc blend in 2009, with yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare, and a whopping alcohol degree of 14.5%. Of course, the latter component is not even noticeable, as that is one of the erroneous myths about high alcohol in some 2009 Bordeaux. It just doesn’t show, thanks to the wine’s extraordinary concentration. This is a fabulous wine, with that tell-tale, dense, inky blue color that Angelus always seems to achieve. It displays an extraordinary nose of acacia flowers (or is it violets?) intermixed with blueberry liqueur, black raspberries, cassis, licorice, incense, and graphite. Full-bodied, viscous, with great intensity , vibrancy, and transparency, this is one of the all-time great wines from Angelus and a 21st century version of their 1989 and 1990. It should drink well for 20+ years – at the very minimum. (Tasted three times.)” Robert Parker