The finest De Pez I have ever tasted, the 2009, from a great St.-Estephe terroir that has long been under-exploited, is a 25-30-year wine. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it exhibits a dense purple color as well as aromas of crushed rocks, sweet black currants, and earth, and a layered, rich, firmly structured yet impressively deep, fleshy mouthfeel. Cellar it for 5-6 years and enjoy it over the following two decades. (Tasted once.) 90-92* points

Tasted at Chateau Pichon-Lalande. There is a lot of finesse on this bashful nose. blackberry, a touch of cedar and earthy/clayey scents emerging with time in the glass. Good definition, masculine. The palate is full-bodied, there is a slight aggression to the tannins, not quite as fine as I would like, good fruit concentration though with blackberry, boysenberry, a touch of cedar and pencil lead. Sinewy finish, good length. This needs to mellow out by the time of bottling. 88-90 points

Lovely dark, intense color. Fine nose, fruity, ripe, floral and subtle. This vintage is a little different from usual, with much more structure, much more marked by Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is very aromatic and has a slightly angular body that will be soften through barrel aging. Very good, persistent length. Blend 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol 13.9% ; pH 3.6 ; IPT 68. 88 points

Dense purple red, good blackcurrant fruit with spicy vineyard earthiness, fine depth of ripe middle fruit and a sophisticated yet still robust Saint-Estèphe. Drink 2014-24. 17 points