The BBR HK Team was fortunate enough to attend the Robert Parker tasting at Wine Futures last Tuesday (amazingly most of our rivals did not bother!). As well as being able to taste alongside the great man, this reaffirmed just how spectacular the 2009 vintage is. All of his “Magic 20” showed superbly in one way or another – and cemented the greatness of this vintage. We were fortunate enough to have our Fine Wine Director, Simon Staples, present and he has written an intro and his brief notes on the “Magic 20”. Please note that due to the special nature of this Event, demand picked up dramatically for these wines, so please be sharp, in order to secure the stock you want.

You may very well receive numerous emails like this over the next few days, for that I apologize, but I was very fortunate to have been invited and it was amazing and I need to tell someone about it!
It was the first time I had ever seen Robert Parker in action and I have to say I was bowled over. He was professional, passionate, authoritative but above all humble. I was somewhat star-struck, truth be told, as was the rest of the captivated audience.

The tasting itself was an incredible achievement in its own right. 1000 disciples with 20 glasses in front of them, a sample in each all served at the perfect temperature. Think about the washing up!
As inspiring as Bob was and how incredible the logistics were it was these “Magical 20” (Well, 15 in my book) that had the room mesmerized. They were stunning. It’s the first time that they have been shown as most were only bottled in July and not shipped until now.

I attach brief tasting notes as I made them. They become increasingly more brief because the organizers took the poor decision to hurry the great man along. I still don’t understand why he regards some so highly and all the people I chatted to afterwards were scratching their heads as to why some were included and why there were some obvious omissions. It will cause some controversy of course and I’m certain it will have an instant effect on these wines in the Market – I can only apologize if some have these are sold out if you come back and want a case or ten but we shall do our best to source more for you.

Simon Staples

Fine Wine Director

1.Ch. Haut-Bailly 2009

Purity, intense, really beautiful. Great length. Perfect equilibrium. Totally beguiling. Delicious.

18.5/20 BBR Score

96-98+ Robert Parker

528 GBP per 6 bottle case (very limited stock)

2. Ch. Rauzan-Segla 2009

Best of all the times I’ve tasted it. Beautifully creamy. Sweet, decadent with lovely poise. Great length. I’m smitten.

17.5/20 BBR Score

92-95 Robert Parker

None available please ask if you’d like us to source for you . C.900-1000 GBP per 12

3. Ch. Brane-Cantenac 2009

Far more Margaux than Rauzan. Sumptuous really sweet with lovely balance. Need to check if I have it. Delicious.(I didn’t have any but have now!)

18/20 BBR Score

93-95 Robert Parker

255 GBP per 6 bottle case (very limited stock) then more at 282 GBP per 6

4. Ch. Malescot St Exupery 2009.

Deep, sweet but too much new oak. Best of all times tasted but still not my style.

17/20 BBR Score

95-97 Robert Parker

380 GBP per 6 bottle case (very limited stock)

5. Ch. Palmer 2009.

Amazing. Show stoppingly good. So fine yet powerful and totally seductive. If you haven’t got a case and you want the best, get this.

19.5/20 BBR Score

94-96 Robert Parker

1260 GBP per 6 bottle case (very limited)

6. Ch. Smith-Haut-Lafitte 2009.

Very dense. Inky. Massive amount of oak. Great fruit but difficult to dig down to. Great length but lacks purity.

16/20 BBR Score

96-98+ Robert Parker

480 GBP per 6 bottle case (very limited)

7. Ch. Pape-Clement 2009.

Really don’t get it sadly. Huge brooding beast with little charm or finesse. Clunky and short. No Dommy Chev or Ducru in this 20?

15/20 BBR Score

95-97+ Robert Parker

540 GBP per 6 bottle case (limited)

8. La Fleur-Petrus 2009.

Quite gorgeous, silky tannins, sexy beast. Slightly short on the finish compared with Palmer but lovely.

17.5/20 BBR Score

96-98+ Robert Parker

None available please ask if you’d like us to source for you . C.1200-1500 GBP per 6

9. Ch. La Conseillante 2009.

Heavenly. A Purity and balance that is utterly compelling. This is as good, maybe even better than the 05. Fantastic. Rivals Petrus in quality.

19/20 BBR Score

95-98 Robert Parker

840 GBP per 6 bottle case (very limited) then more stock at 894 GBP per case

10. Ch. Trotanoy 2009.

Where Conseillante is all about feminine whiles this is majestic and powerful. This is Brilliant!

19/20 BBR Score

97-100 Robert Parker

None available and I can’t seem to be able to source any. My apologies

11. Ch. Le Gay.

Again, no idea why this is in this company. Tad austere, very dry where’s the sex appeal? Short.

15/20 BBR Score

91-93 Robert Parker

440 GBP per 6 bottle case (Very Limited)

12. Ch. Léoville-las Cases 2009.

First Growth!! Truly brilliant. So complex, so utterly transfixing. I know its expensive but worth every cent.

19.5/20 BBR Score

96-100 Robert Parker

1320 GBP per 6 bottle case (Very limited)

13. Ch. Léoville-Poyferré 2009.

Wow! Really profound. Sweet but perfectly balanced. Brilliant. What a tasting!! Feeling v privileged.

18.5/20 BBR Score

97/100 Robert Parker

684 GBP per 6 bottle case (limited)

14. Ch. Pichon-Lalande 2009

Plump and proud but lacks a little compared to Poyferre and Las Cases.

17/20 BBR Score

96-98 Robert Parker

740 GBP per 6 bottle case (Very limited)

15. Chateau Lynch Bages 2009.

This is perfect Pauillac. Sends shivers down the spine. Cassis bomb but with total quality and balance. Lush.

18.5/20 BBR Score

94-96+ Robert Parker

684 GBP per 6 bottle case (Very limited)

16. Ch. Pichon-Baron 2009.

If Lynch is Grace Kelly, Baron is Marilyn. Curvy, seductive,  totally gorgeous.

18.5/20 BBR Score

93-95 Robert Parker

600 GBP per 6 bottle case (Very limited)

17. Ch. Pontet-Canet 2009

What a fabulously decadent and brilliant wine. Has been on all occasions but this is the best I have ever tasted it.

19/20 BBR Score

97-100 Robert Parker

680 GBP per 6 bottle case (Very limited).

18. Ch. Cos d’Estournel 2009.

All the debate about this should now be over. Soft. Amazing. Deep. Concentrated. Not like any of the others. I love it.

18.5/20 BBR Score

98-100 Robert Parker (His favorite wine of the night)

1290 GBP  per 6 bottle case (Very limited)

19. Ch. Clos Fourtet 2009

Again not my thing too pushed but very impressive. Apologies about speed but Bob is being pushed to speed up. Rubbish! Not the wine….the speed.

17.5/20 BBR Score

95-98 Robert Parker

440 GBP per 6 bottle case (Very limited)

20. Ch. Angelus 2009

Love the dollop of Cab Franc. Is it Bordeaux? Brilliant but a bit flash. 1 glass very happy. Impressive show winner.

18.5/20 BBR Score

96-100 Robert Parker

1388 GBP per 6 bottle case (Very Limited)

ALL STOCK SUBJECT TO REMAINING UNSOLD

Do let us know what you fancy and we shall do our best to procure it for you as soon as France opens!