Review of 2009 Château Haut Condissas Prestige Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Score: 91/100
This red Bordeaux wine from the left bank’s Médoc area is a classical Bordeaux blend, made from 60% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc.
The vineyards spread over 15 ha (37 acres) on a clayey-limestone hilltop terroir. The vines average 40 years of age, which is quite old for the area, and planted at a high density from 8,500 to 12,000 plants per hectare.
After fermentation, the wine was oxygenated using the micro-bullage technique (or micro-oxygenation), and aged on lies with regular bâtonnage (stirring of the lees) for about 3 months. In total, the maturation lasted for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes
This Bordeaux red comes in a relatively dark red color, dark red to the core —although not overly intense— and a bright red with touches of oranges hues to the rim betraying we are here with an 8-year-old wine.
The nose is pleasantly fresh, and vibrantly fruity though. Ripe blackberry and dark cherry, hints of acidic raspberry aromas, white pepper, French vanilla, toasted hazelnut. The primary fruit element comes through as dominant and very lively, while also backed up by the spiciness and generous sweet-smelling tones from the oak.
To the nose, the wine doesn’t seem to have aged all that much, still bringing fresh fruit aplenty. Yes, you will find a touch of earthiness, like forest-floor, and wood ashes, so typical of Médoc’s Cabernet bouquet. But it’s discrete and very elegant here, adding depth.
The palate is opulent, full-bodied for a Bordeaux, feeling warming, from fruit ripeness and alcohol, and filled with dried fruit flavors, prune and dried fig. Medium-to low acidity for a Bordeaux, join smooth and soft tannins. Get ready to experience a big burst of sweet and peppery spices from the mid-palate on. This Medoc’s got plenty.
Dark cherry, and jammy strawberry bring the fruity element that is the main feature, in a battle for dominance with the pungent spices. The oaky vanilla, the caramel and roasted hazelnut flavors, the savory clove flavors, all from the barrel aging bring them all together and come to an agreement for a pleasant and peaceful whole.
Overall
A powerful and generous Bordeaux wine, filled with the richness from a warm vintage, the generosity of ripe Merlot’s dark cherry, and elements of raisined Cabernet.
Big spices and bursting oaky flavors, all concentrated and combined into a talkative, quite complex, and layered wine.
Plenty to feel and experience. Bottled abundant sunshine and richness, this 2009 Haut Condissas certainly tastes like…
Enjoy 🙂
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