In April 2010 Robert Parker, at the peak of his power, suggested that “for some Médocs and Graves, 2009 may turn out to be the finest vintage I have tasted in 32 years of covering Bordeaux. From top to bottom, 2009 is not as consistent as 2005, but the peaks of quality in 2009 may turn out to be historic.” Demand for this vintage was unprecedented, as were the prices in many cases. The 2009 Bordeaux en primeur campaign was the most successful ever for Farr Vintners.
In December 2011, having re-tasted the vintage from bottle, he declared that “this is unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted”. This was, of course, prior to his in-bottle tastings of the 2010s, and about five months after the bubble of Bordeaux prices bursting - there are a handful of 2009 Bordeaux that can still be bought for less than their release price.
Subsequent tastings of the 2009s, notably the 10 year on tasting held here at Farr Vintners, have confirmed that 2009 is a humdinger of a vintage. Some feel that the 2010s are superior, others that 2005 is the more classically styled, “proper” vintage. One thing is indisputable: 2009 is an absolutely outstanding vintage from top to bottom and, at the top, whilst the wines will keep for decades, the ripe, forward and seductive style of the wines is close to irresistible.
