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2009 Chateau La Vieille Cure
La Vieille Cure was already marked on the Guyenne map in 1780, but its rise to prominence in the overseas market is only recent. In 1986, a group of American investors recognised the fabulous potential of the succession of plateaux and slopes of the Fronsadais. As is the norm in such circumstances, no investments were spared and La Vieille Cure boasts some of the best viticultural and winemaking equipment of the region, along with a state of the art maturation cellar, the whole operation being overseen by Michel Rolland laboratories.
While the new owners took great care in preserving their plots of old vines, some of which were centenial, the viticultural work plan was reconsidered from the ground up and brought modern standards of plantation, with the objective of producing wines worthy of a worldwide distribution. The 2009 is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that provides a compelling introduction to what Robert Parker describes as “unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted.”
Opaque black crimson red colour with deep very dark crimson red hue. Excellent nose with perfumed scents of ripe blackcurrant and cassis followed by some earth, cedar, leather and spice. Full bodied the palate possesses plenty of fleshy fruit with rich mouthfilling flavours of ripe blackcurrant and black cherry working in combination with nuances of cedar, earth and spice. Dryish finish with very fine grained perfectly integrated tannins. Long blackcurrant, black cherry, earth, leather and spice aftertaste.
Cellar 5-8 years (2018-2021).
Alc 14.5%
Other Reviews….
This property has made so many fine efforts lately that it is difficult to say the 2009 is better than their 2005. However, the 2009 is a charming, sexy, dense ruby/purple-colored offering displaying lots of ripe Merlot fruit intermixed with hints of charcoal, black raspberries, black currants, lead pencil shavings and truffles. This full-bodied, pure, nicely textured and layered Fronsac is a sleeper of the vintage that considerably over-performs for its modest price. Drink it over the next 15+ years. This is an obvious great value!
93 points
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate