The early indications for the 2009 vintage are very promising. The weather conditions throughout the year were particuarly favourable. It was a hot year, though not as warm as 2003, and it was a very dry year, although again not the extreme of 2005. The months of July and August saw high temperatures, a generous amount of sunshine and very cool nights. The fine weather continued into September furthering the concentration of aromas and an increase in colour pigments. The prevailing alternation of hot days and cool nights has led to the expectation of a great or very great vintage. This vintage goes to show, just as in 1982, that gentle conditions make for gentle wines. In 2009 there were no extremes, just good, regular heat at the right times.

The sugar levels in the grapes were extremely high together with build-up of massive but gentle tannins for the reds and a complexity of flavours for the whites. The style is altogether gentler, softer and fatter than 2000, 2003 and 2005.

The high alcohol levels are of course the main defining feature of the vintage. Yet there is more to the 2009s than just alcohol. The tannins levels are extraordinarily high and acidity levels are quite reasonable.

The vintage has a style that will make them approachable in their early years but also probably, unexpectedly long-lived.

The Right Bank with its powerful Merlot wines on heavier soils will win the blockbuster award. The Left bank with its dense Cabernets will win the concentration medal. The wines to the north of the Medoc, where the heavier soils lie and Merlot plays a fuller role, may prove to have the best value wines of the 2009 vintage.