The secret’s out!
Haut Bergey 2009 is about as secret as a Downing Street party. Once relatively unknown to the J&B team, now it’s front-page news, but for all the right reasons. Hélène Garcin-Lévêque is one of the most industrious winemakers in Bordeaux. She splits her time between Clos l’Eglise in Pomerol, Barde-Haut in St Emilion, Bodega Poesia in Mendoza and the charming chateau Haut Bergey just outside the town of Léognan.
Read MoreWhen youthful, her wines can appear rather “four-square”, but given a little time in bottle, they begin to shine. The 2000 Haut Bergey was an absolute joy. The 2009 is very much cast from the same mould. This is fragrant and detailed with a lavish core of mulberry, cassis and gentle spice, all wrapped in gorgeously smooth tannins. It’s just the ticket for the Christmas table or a party that never happened…
“A blend of just over 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot, the opaque ruby/purple-colored 2009 reveals notes of scorched earth/burning embers/charcoal, black currants, ripe cherries and lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied and pure with sweet tannin, this is an under-the-radar, high quality claret to drink over the next 20-25 years.
As powerful and rich as the 2000 and 2010, Haut-Bergey’s 2009 is another of the over-achieving, value-priced Bordeaux that are increasingly difficult to find. The estate, which is owned by Helene Garcin (who also owns Clos l’Eglise and Barde-Haut, and makes the cult wine, Branon, from a vineyard adjacent to Haut-Bergey), is situated near Malartic Lagraviere and Domaine de Chevalier. 94/100” – Robert M. Parker, Jr