Unusually for a Rousseau wine, this was moderately reduced and about the only aspect that could be discerned was the wood treatment. I found this doubly curious as a bottle tasted in 2016 was expressive, pretty and fresh with no reduction. Otherwise, the detailed and strikingly intense medium-bodied flavors coat the palate with dry extract that effectively pushes the still firm tannic spine to the background on the palate staining and beautifully long finish. This is arguably somewhat less elegant than it usually is but even so, it's still really lovely stuff. I would add that the sap is so generous that the '09 CSJ could actually be enjoyed now with air though there is obviously plenty of unrealized development potential remaining.

---

Show more

---

---

Show less

---

The 2009 Clos St. Jacques is a rich, deeply pitched wine built on a serious core of dark red fruit, menthol, spices and licorice. Readers won’t find much of the early appeal of 2009 here, rather this is a wine built for the cellar. Layers of flavor build to a huge finish supported by considerable tannin. This intense, powerful wine is going to require quite a bit of patience. (AG)

---

Show more

---

---

Show less

---