2009 Gracia, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

Vinous 94

(15% alcohol): Bright, deep ruby-red. Sexy blueberry, mineral and smoky oak aromas are lifted by a violet topnote. Fat, sweet, dense and plush but not monolithic, showing good spicy lift and delineation to the superconcentrated black fruit and smoky oak flavors. Finishes with very suave tannins and a hint of chocolate mint. This may well surpass Michel Gracia’s outstanding 2005 release, as the new wine shows flamboyant early personality. [Stephen Tanzer, 07/01/2012]

Robert Parker 90

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Gracia ’09 is sweet and ripe with dark plum, wild strawberry and vanilla on the nose. It is overtly modern but nicely defined. The palate is ripe and toasty with rounded, chocolate tinged black fruit. This is not a heavy wine compared to other, very harmonious with a sweet appealing finish with touches of raisin and date. Tasted January 2013. [Neal Martin, 01/01/2013]