Château La Fleur Peyrabon 2009

Unclassified growth cru bourgeois Pauillacs are rare indeed, and here is an awfully good one. Spicy oak, espresso and black currants jump from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, concentrated 2009, which is of classified growth quality. This sleeper of the vintage should drink well for at least a decade. (A member of the Association of Crus Bourgeois du Medoc.)

A modern, toasty style, with mocha and coffee leading the way for fleshy plum and blackberry fruit. Mocha holds sway on the finish, with just enough fruit for balance. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now. 3,500 cases made, 800 cases imported.

A flavorful and rich wine with blueberries, spice and floral character. Full and long. Lots going on here. A beauty. Better in 2016.

Mid crimson. Fleshy but a little bit dull and lacking zest. Sweet with a hint of animal fur – not at all typical Pauillac! Hot end. Then austere and drying. No! (JR)

If you're looking for a value-priced Pauillac from a top vintage, this is the wine to buy. Medium-bodied, with a nose of tobacco, cedar, blackberry and cassis, with just a hint of oak. The wine has character and should hold for another decade or longer with ease.

Some hints of wood and vanilla, young fruit, plum, blackcurrant and some herbal notes; quite high concentration, youthful tannins and high freshness with some green herbal notes, quite good length with some herbal and leafy notes on the finish.

Beautiful dense texture, volume, tight, fully tannic. A fine Pauillac of great style.

Very dark, vibrant color. Fruity nose with a slightly cool profile. Animal notes. Soft entry on the palate, then the wine unfolds with flavor, richness, and energy. Highly aromatic on the mid-to-late palate, finishing long with fine tannins and plenty of aromas. Note that decanting benefits it greatly.

90-92 Barrel sample. Complex wine, very smooth and polished, the sweet tannins softened by wood. There is a great vanilla character over the wafts of ripe fruit.