2009 Cambon La Pelouse (Haut-Medoc)

Another of my favorite estates from the southern part of the Medoc, Macau, this Haut-Medoc cru bourgeois is a blend of 54% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. The alcohol was 14% and the wine bottled unfined and unfiltered by its consulting oenologist, the brilliant Claude Gros. Wonderfully dark ruby/purple in color, with loads of sweet berry fruit as well as hints of licorice and charcoal, the wine displays a lush texture, medium to full body, and the vintage’s tell-tale ripeness, high glycerin and silky texture. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. 90 points

I thought this might merit a higher mark…and it does. It has a lifted cedar and blackberry nose with a slight ferrous tincture. The palate is beautifully balanced and absorbing the oak with ease, turning into quite a precocious little thing with great length and style. What a lovely 2009! Recommended. 90 points