2009 Contrarian Red Blend
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Tasting notes
Saturated medium ruby. Vibrant nose combines blackberry, black cherry, violet, licorice pastille and minerals. Concentrated and suave, with its fine-grained dark berry and licorice flavors conveying a restrained sweetness and nicely framed by harmonious acidity. A firm spine of tannins extends the spreading, mouth-saturating finish. This is balanced to give pleasure now but has the tannic support, energy and definition to last. In my original note on this wine, I noted that it had an elevated pH of 4.03. But in the way of a top Saint-Emilion it hardly lacks for energy.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(41% cabernet franc, 35% cabernet sauvignon and 24% merlot; 4.03 pH): Bright red-ruby. Crushed blackberry, licorice and violet on the nose and palate. Denser than the Illustration and a bit less forthcoming today, offering a firm structure and serious tongue-dusting tannins. This very rich, long wine comes across as much more vibrant than its high pH would suggest. Impressive potential here.