2009 Reserve de Ch Louis

From a tiny parcel, the 2009 La Reserve de Louis is 100% Merlot from the vineyard’s clay and limestone soils. Yields here were 18 hectoliters per hectare, and the grapes picked late, with malolactic in barrel and post malo-lees aging. This sensational wine is showing considerably better than it did in barrel. The alcohol is slightly lower than the regular wine at 14%, but the impression is one of luxurious richness, red and black fruits galore, an extravagant texture, full-bodied power, and beautiful purity, precision and freshness. Drink it over the next 20+ years. This estate was purchased in 2006 by the owner of the famous Parisian bistro, L’Ami Louis (a personal favorite of mine since 1976), Thierry De la Brosse, but he died tragically before he could realize his dream of resurrecting this property, which was once known as Rol de Fombrauge. However, life goes on, as they say, and Stephane Derenoncourt has been brought in to manage the property, which is now up to just over 10 acres. Both of these wines are far superior from bottle than they were early in their lives.