Wines

98 Points! The years when Brane was starting to really come sharply into focus, and this is easily one of the best 2009s in the Margaux appellation, and great value in comparison to some of the biggest names. One for serious Bordeaux lovers, just super competent and impressive winemaking. You get pretty much 90% of what you need to know on the aromatics alone, concentrated cassis, a ton of depth, with fruit, acidity and tannins all perfectly in balance, so juicy and drinkable, concentrated and enjoyable. Decades ahead of it. 70% new oak for ageing, harvest September 22 to October 9. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, 2024

95 Points! Showing beautifully, the 2009 Château Brane-Cantenac is loaded with classic Margaux notes of sandalwood, dried flowers, spice, truffle, and blackcurrants. Based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and has a beautifully textured, elegant mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish. - Jeb Dunnuck, 2020

90 Points! Bright, soft and fruity with plum and currant character, with full to medium body and a chewy finish. Muscular. Better in 2016. - James Suckling

94 Points! In 2009, the flagship 2009 Nero d'Avola Vrucara is drop dead gorgeous. Black cherries, tar, licorice and melted rocks meld together in a big, boisterous Nero d'Avola. Here, too, the style is very much forward and full-throttle, especially within the context of Nero d'Avola, but it all works. The 2009 is all about power wedded to expressive inner perfume and sheer depth of fruit. I see a wine of exceptional richness and character in the glass. Tobacco, mint, licorice and juicy dark cherries add complexity on the rich, enveloping finish. - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

90 Points! An exotic, voluptuous wine, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard wraps around the palate with serious depth. The 2009 is big, full-bodied and super-intense. It doesn’t have the aromatic high register of the 2010, but instead has more depth and immediacy. Waves of fruit build to a huge, enveloping finish. - Antonio Galloni, robertparker.com

94 Points! A beautiful, vintage-dated tawny that straddles the fruit of a young port with the nutty and walnut character of a tawny. It shows dried fruit, such as figs and raisins. Some chocolate, too. Medium sweet. Lightly balsamic. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

93 Points! This is inviting, with gently warmed morello and maraschino cherry fruit mixed with cinnamon, date and red licorice notes that show good persistence through the finish, which offers a sandalwood echo. Drink now. - Wine Spectator

94 Points! This velvety and harmonious red offers a deep, musky aroma, with macerated cherry, sweet strawberry, leather, tobacco and orange peel flavors. Beautifully balanced and expressive, lingering with a long aftertaste of fruit, spice and mineral. - Wine Spectator

94+ Points! Moving over to Castiglione Falletto, the 2009 Barolo Villero delivers more oak spice and thicker overall density. I loved the aromas of pressed flower and rose, followed by crushed mineral and cola that lift so effortlessly from the glass. This is an ethereal and elegant expression that will undergo a long evolution in the bottle. This and the Barolo Brunate are my favorite Oddero wines in 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

94 Points! A silky, textured wine, the 2009 Barolo Monvigliero stands out for its refined fruit and gorgeous balance. Nothing is out of place in this polished, elegant Barolo. Sweet red berries, flowers and spicebox are some of the many notes that are layered together in the glass. Any sensation of tannin is nearly non-existent because the fruit is so vivid and present. Over time, the Monvigliero continues to flesh out in all directions, showing why this site is so privileged. Scavino's Monvilgiero is easily one of the most finessed wines of the vintage. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media