2009 La Serre
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Tasting notes
The ruby red colour has slightly softened over 11 years ageing, but this still looks like a young wine in the glass. On the palate there is clear salinity, with a mouthwatering finish that gently grips on, helped by finely-structured tannins. Traces of campfire smoke, ash and embers on the finish too, gently curling up from the glass. The fruit majors on blackberry, wild strawberry and softened raspberry puree. You will find more powerful 2009s than this one, but it is gently delicious, and close to the perfect moment to open. No need for a long carafe. Hail in Spring meant they lost around one third of their usual crop, producing a yield of around 30hl/h. Consultant Stephane Toutoundji. 50% new oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Decanter
More reviews and scores
The 2009 La Serre is a sleeper of the vintage and the best wine I have ever tasted from this property, which sits on pure limestone soils. Amazingly supple and silky, this blend of 90% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc displays a big, almost Southern Rhone-like nose of kirsch liqueur, licorice and tobacco leaf, while some powdered minerals clearly evoke the limestone terroir to its advantage. Medium to full-bodied, plump and opulent, this is a wine to drink in its first decade of life, although I suspect it will last longer.
Quite fragrant and pale. Luscious and delicate. Relatively lightweight and the fruit seems a little too informed by the oak at the moment but there is some refreshment here. (JR)