I had the privilege of visiting Bordeaux in September 2009. The 2008 vintage turned out to be much better than expected. The great chateaux probably deserve a great-perfect score. Every property suggested that the 2009 would be even better if the weather held up. Petrus, Canon La Gaffeliere, Figeac, Latour, Haut Brion, Margaux, among others let us eat ripe Merlot grapes.

The caveat is that the prices may be higher than wholesalers, retailers and consumers would like to pay. That said, Bordeaux is the singularly most devoted to wine grape cultivation and vinification. There are over 12,000 chateaus! The entire region is blanketed with grapes or is forested!

More later on the actual description of wines tasted.