The vintage, while very good, has shut down in many cases and not showing the ripeness and flesh that characterized the wines in barrel a couple of years ago. Nevertheless, the ’09 Puy-Blanquet exhibits excellent potential. It is nicely balanced and firmly structured, with tannins that will likely hold on a decade or more. The nose offers hints of violets and spice, and on the palate the wine shows notes of plum and black cherry. While very good at this stage, this wine has every right to improve over the next three to five years and represents outstanding value from a splendid vintage in Saint-Emilion.
Chateau Puy-Blanquet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru (Bordeaux) 2009
By Robert Whitley