Hosanna Castle - Pomerol 2009

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/1/2013

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Hosanna ‘09 has an exotic nose with hints of dried dates informing the clean, pure dark berry fruit, touches of fruitcake developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm toasty tannins. This is a spicy, slightly animally Pomerol with great character and armed with lovely Cabernet Franc herbaceous notes towards the finish. Tasted January 2013.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

94 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe7/31/2012

Deep ruby. Brooding nose hints at blackcurrant, violet, minerals and white pepper. Then similarly rather closed and austere on the palate, with a steely quality to the intense dark fruit and white pepper flavors. Finishes long and clean, with a return of the violet note and a repeating white pepper nuance.

Wine Advocate

99 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/29/2012

This is the finest Hosanna that proprietor Christian Moueix has yet made, produced from a 15-acre parcel that usually yields about 1,500 cases. The 2009, a prodigious blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, offers up an exquisite aromatic concoction of blackberries, plums, Asian soy, forest floor, truffles and graphite. Along with its stunning concentration, remarkably thick, juicy mid-palate and unbelievable complexity, its viscosity and opulence take this wine to new heights. This extraordinary wine is one of the superstars of 2009 and one to enjoy over the next three decades.

Jamessuckling.com

98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2012

Stunning aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, hazelnut and black olive skin. Full- bodied, with ultra-fine tannins that feel fine silky on my palate. Long finish of coffee bean, chocolate and dark fruits. Best Hosanna ever. Try in 2020.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe1/18/2012

There is a lovely plush feel here, with roasted tobacco and fig notes carried by velvety tannins. Deceptively dense, with darker currant and anise notes blossoming through the finish, which still manages to stay supple and rounded. This steadily opens in the glass. Best from 2013 through 2028. 1,100 cases made. –JM

Le Figaro

95-97 / 100

byBernard Burtschythe6/30/2010

Robe sombre. Nez subtil, finement épicé. En bouche, attaque très élégante, milieu de bouche aromatique, très persistant, superbe longueur, beau rebond en finale.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92-95 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2010

Inky purple. Inviting aromas of blueberry, red plum, violet and licorice offer lovely verve and floral appeal. A bit chunky and powerful on the palate, with brooding flavors of red cherry, raspberry, candied violet, and cocoa. Though very ripe, sweet and modern, the flavors remain vibrant thanks to fine, harmonious acidity. Finishes extremely long, with a compellingly seamless quality and a peppery nuance. Previously I've never quite gotten the magic of this wine, but this is an outstanding example even if it's still very much an infant. Give it plenty of cellar time to reveal all its facets. The best Hosanna ever.

La Revue du Vin de France

15,5-16,5 / 20

the5/31/2010

Cette partie de l'ancien château Certan-Guiraud, rebaptisée par la maison Moueix, donne des vins capables de vieillir admirablement bien. Les années chaudes semblent lui convenir plus particulièrement et le millésime 2009, dans un strule plus épuré, n'est pas loin de rivaliser avec le 2000. Notes de fruits très mûrs, légèrement compotés.

Le Point

17,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/6/2010

Note oxdative, bouche moelleuse, suave, très fraîche, grande qualité des tanins, pas mal d'alcool, mais un tanin velouté de très haute qualité, beaucoup de gras. O=2016 G=20 ans

TAST

17 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2010

Le vin est fidèle à la personnalité du terroir: gras, ample et assez exubérant aromatiquement. Il développe une longueur suave et chalereusue.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/30/2010

Solid wine, it hides its richness beneath a smooth surface. The tannins feel powerful, but are hard to detect. The wine offers final power.

Falstaff

91-93 / 100

byPeter Moserthe4/30/2010

Süßes Beerenkonfit, zart nach Dörrzwetschken, ein Hauch von Portweinwürze, Feigen und Orangenschalen. Stoffig, kraftvoll, etwas Nougat, bleibt sehr gut haften, großes Entwicklungspotenzial, hat Länge.

Wine Advocate

98-100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/28/2010

A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this is one of the more ethereal and compelling efforts of the vintage. The 2009 Hosanna possesses great intensity, extraordinary balance, purity, and density, and a remarkable perfume of licorice, black fruits, spring flowers, incense, and Christmas spices. The wine hits the palate with full-bodied power, displaying silky texture, viscous, opulent mid-palate, high levels of glycerin, and considerable, but well-concealed tannins. In many ways, this is what some of the greatest 1982s tasted like (the tannins were virtually impossible to find at this stage). It should last 25-30 years. Kudos to Christian Moueix! (Tasted once.) It appears Christian Moueix and his team did everything right in 2009. They began harvesting the Merlot in mid-September, stopping when it rained on the 19th, resuming on the 26th, and finishing on October 10th. Yields were a very low 30 hectoliters per hectare or less, and the alcohols came in at 14+% across the board. I have loved every vintage that Moueix has made of Hosanna, which is basically the finest parcel of the vineyard formerly called Certan- Giraud. Drink 2010-2040. (98-100*) points

Periodic Review of Wine

96-98 / 100

byAlan Duranthe4/28/2010

It is amazing how many profound Moueix wines were produced. The opaque purple hued Hosanna is a wine of greatness! It requires a decade of cellaring at the outset due to its formidable and backward personality, and a fifty year life is not out of the question. The massive fragrance offers spice-mix, graphite/stone, smoked meats, cherry liqueur, spilled-ink, and savory truffle. While full-bodied, finessed, and large-scaled, it contains an extravagance of fruit. Additionally, there is an expansive length and intricate, structured tannin. There is huge fruit as well as depth and beauty to the skillful flavour. Intense wine! Maturity period 2017-2038+

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/9/2010

Offers ripe plum, with hints of peach, turning to violet and black olive on the nose. Fascinating aromas. Full-bodied, featuring chewy tannins that turn polished and silky. Long and flavorful at the finish. Refined power.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/8/2010

Dumb nose without super freshness. Very ripe indeed. Lots of freshness on the palate. Though this is the Moueix wine that pushes most to the limit of ripeness. For modernists. Rather a leathery texture on the finish. Drink 2016-2028