Château Magdelaine St Emilion Grand Cru Classé Premier Grand Cru Classé B 2009

You feel the slightly higher alcohol in the rich mouthfeel, a reflection of the warmer conditions of the vintage, but the limestone soils ensure the acidity is vibrant and balanced, and this gorgeous wine still delivers the understated ease, together with white truffles, tobacco leaf, mandarin peel and oyster shell salinity that Magdelaine expresses in every vintage, here with a bigger kick of damson, red cherry and kirsh. Confident but supple tannins that promise a long life ahead. You can drink this now, or hold. Eric Murisasco winemaker, 50% new oak.