de Fieuzal 2009

The richness of the fruit packs out the nose and gives sweetness on the palate. Cassis is to the fore but behind is black cherry and fresher bilberry. The tannins do show all quite firm and at the moment they tend to hold back the full fruit expression. Drink 2018-2040.

Dense black red, powerful, smoky cassis nose, lots of concentration,flesh and grip, good intensity of very ripe fruit, good future. Drink 2015-25.

The finest I have ever tasted, this is an awesome De Fieuzal, with plenty of lead pencil shavings intermixed with blueberry, black raspberry, and sweet cherries. A touch of smoke also emerges from this opaque purple-colored wine. Full-bodied, with loads of glycerin, one can see the more generous, viscous nature of this vintage well-displayed, but also a terrific freshness and vibrancy. It should turn out to be a superb effort that drinks well for up to 30 years. (Tasted three times.) Drink 2010-2040.Robert Parker added an asterisk to this wine score to signify that it is a wine he considers has the finest potential of all the offerings he has ever tasted from this estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux.

Tasted at a negociant. This is showing a little over-ripeness on the nose: black cherry, a hint of prune and clear honey. Moderate definition...just a little glossy for my liking. The palate is very tannic and masculine, just pushed a bit too much in the winery. Abrasive at the moment and very dry on the finish. Tasted April 2010.