Chateau Branon 2009

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "2009 Branon is deep ruby with purple accents. The wine shows truffle, tobacco, cassis, caramel, and coffee notes in the nose. The palate enjoys the feeling of rich, opulent, fleshy blackberries being draped across it. The wine has a concentrated, sweet berry finish. On average, only 500 cases a year are produced of this wine."

WEINWISSER: "Sattes Purpur-Granat. Recht kühles Bouquet mit etwas Pfefferschote und Tabakblättern im ersten Ansatz, dahinter Korinthen und Rauchnoten. Am Gaumen erhaben, direkt mit verlangender Adstringenz, perfekt vinifiziert und auch gut selektioniert."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This smolders beautifully from start to finish, showing warm tar, tobacco leaf and steeped black currant fruit, with hints of hot stone and graphite buried deeply on the finish. Deep and long, with lots of character still to emerge. Best from 2016 through 2026. 500 cases made."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "This magnificent, dense plum/purple-colored Pessac-Leognan reveals notes of scorched earth, burning embers, blackberries and truffles. Composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a vineyard gorgeously situated between Malartic Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly, it possesses full-bodied power, a stunningly intense, voluptuous, layered mouthfeel and abundant levels of fruit, glycerin and tannin. The 2009 ranks alongside the magnificent 2000, which is aging at a glacial pace. Unfortunately, proprietress Helene Garcin only produces around 500 cases of this somewhat cult-ish Pessac-Leognan. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040."