Showing consistently with another recent bottle, the 2009 Château La Fleur-Petrus (90/10 Merlot and Cabernet Franc aged in 50% new oak) offers a deep, layered bouquet of blackberries, plums, chocolate, dried flowers, and earth. A big, voluptuous, opulent example of this cuvée, with a power-packed, deep, rich style, it has ripe tannin and a huge finish. This tour de force shows how impressive the 2009 vintage was for Bordeaux. Drink this sensational wine anytime over the coming 2-3 decades.

Nearly opaque glass-staining purple-ruby. Overripe nose combines aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate, cedary oak and truffle. Lush and rather exotic in the mouth, with the liqueur-like quality extending to the ripe black fruit, chocolate and candied violet flavors. Starts off quite sweet but finishes a bit hot and abrupt, with slightly astringent tannins. Some critics will no doubt rave about this wine, but for me its uncharacteristically porty style nullifies its customary grace and charm.

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 la Fleur-Pétrus rolls out of the glass with sensuous kirsch, black cherry preserves and chocolate box scents with touches of unsmoked cigars, dried mint and star anise. Full-bodied, rich and opulently fruited in the mouth, it has beautiful red fruit sparks and a finely grained frame, finishing long and lively.