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Laforge 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

From proprietor Jonathan Maltus, this blend of three terroirs, two on sand and one on gravel, is a blend of 92% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. About 2,000 cases are produced, and the prodigious 2009 is the finest vintage to date. Inky blue/purple, with notes of licorice, camphor, black truffle, blackberry and blueberry, this full-bodied wine has massive concentration yet at the same time displays elegance and harmony. The equilibrium and 60+-second length make for a huge, massive, but incredibly well-balanced wine, like a shadow of the proprietor himself. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.

96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012

Picked between 30th September and 8th October, the Cabernet Franc on 10th October, a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, this has an inviting, silky, very pure, glossy bouquet with black cherry, boysenberry, a touch of creme de menthe and a touch of cassis. Good definition. The palate is full-bodied with firm grip, yet the tannins are quite fine if robust, a chalky texture to the finish, just missing a little length on the aftertaste, the tannins just a little raw. Tasted March 2010.

88/89
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010

Blackberry and dark chocolate aromas follow through to a full body, with supersilky tannins and a beautiful finish with just a hint of coffee. Best ever?

90/93
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2010

Generous, fleshy fruit. Very Merlot. Has the opulence of the vintage but with tannic grip for a slightly more serious feel. Drink 2014-2024.

16
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010

Laforge is a blend of three separate St.-Emilion terroirs assembled by proprietor Jonathan Malthus that is usually a blend of approximately 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. A big wine, the opaque purple-hued 2009 was somewhat closed the day I tasted it, but it revealed lots of minerality, blackberry, graphite, and subtle smoke notes. Meaty, rich, and full-bodied, with noticeable tannins, this cuvee needs time to settle down, but everything is there for an evolution of 10-15+ years. (Tasted once.) Drink 2010-2025.

91/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.