2009 Croix Figeac

Blackberry with licorice and black olive on the nose. Full-bodied, with lots of richness. Very concentrated, but I think it will come around just right. 80 percent Merlot, 20 percent Cabernet. This is really full throttle. Rock and roll

Tasted at a negociant. Ripe black cherry and violets on the nose that is just lacking a little definition at this stage. Touches of cedar developing with some melted chocolate aromas. The palate is full-bodied with good delineation and fine balance. I like the freshness here, quite feminine, very focused with fine tannins, leading to a very pretty, fresh, pure finish that pleases no end. This is a great effort for 2009. Excellent. Tasted March 2010.

Another sleeper of the vintage, this wine possesses exuberant black cherry liqueur notes intermixed with blacker fruits, some lead pencil shavings, incense and plum sauce in an attractive, fat, fleshy style that exhibits low acidity and oodles of fruit. Drink it over the next decade. Feb 2012, www.robertparker.com