Her Mir Tage

9.2

Is the Parker 99-point 2009 VCC Worth Its Price?

From a scoring perspective, you might feel slightly disappointed upon opening it, but in terms of price, it likely aligns with expectations.

Having previously tasted a Parker 95-100-point Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, I found its complexity and aromatic depth more impressive than this wine—though the 99-point VCC is the highest score this estate has ever received from Parker.

After 30 minutes of decanting:
The wine showed dark fruit aromas (blackberry), along with primary, secondary, and tertiary notes—cigar box, leather, and truffle-but the tannins were still tight, indicating it wasn’t fully open.

After 2 hours of decanting:
The wine began to unfold, not with explosive aromas but with a refined, lingering profile.Beyond the initial notes, ripe plum, vanilla, and graphite emerged. However, compared to an older vintage of VCC I’ve tried (which had a rich dark chocolate character), this bottle lacked that particular depth.

The tannins turned silky and smooth, making it very approachable, while a savory umami note complemented the medium acidity. The body was beautifully clean and well-structured. — 10 months ago

Collin Clark

9.7

Oh so smooth with mellow plum and wild grape but not too sweet. Just right, yes. — 5 years ago

with Joanna

R. David Liebers

9.0

Pleasant aroma, fruity on the tongue with a dry finish. — 6 years ago

Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

8.9

Nero d’avola? Native yeasts 💁🏻‍♂️
#sommcon — 8 years ago

Daron Watson

9.5

How'd the 375ml of '59 Chevy w mid-shoulder fill show?
#LIKEABOSS!
Nose of crushed leather furniture, cigar box, fig, Christmas cake, plum & hints of a red cherry cordial
Still a pop of acidity with the fruit, but richness dominated adding raisin to the flavors along w feral animale & shaved dark chocolate taking over on the lengthy finish — 9 years ago

Elizabeth McCrone

8.9

Tried this 2009 we got as a holiday gift ... Nicely balanced in terms of structure and fruit. Great plum flavors, smokey finish. We liked it a lot! — 11 years ago

Jack Krawczyk

9.8

still tight on the tannins and rich plum flavor. could enjoy for 5-10 more years. — a year ago

Scott Strickler

9.5

Dark fruits and well balanced tannins highlight this excellent wine. More in the medium to full body Pinot noir‘s which I prefer  — 4 years ago

Sean Sims

8.9

Wow, jam, dark stone fruit. Deep purple rim. A pleasure to drink as I grill — 6 years ago

Aaron Schneider

9.8

Truly an elegant expression from aged Napa wine. The notes of cedar and cigar box coupled with some mushroom and earth tones dominate. On the taste, the rich mouthfeels steel shows some fruit notes with deep blueberry and plum notes. I REALLY LIKE THIS WINE! And am glad to still have this in my cellar... — 6 years ago

with Kay and Chuck

Peter Wassam

9.8

A softened ruby color. Beautiful balance, everything in harmony. Wet earth, raspberry, cinnamon, a whiff of truffle, intoxicating nose. So much ripe, fresh red fruit on the palate. Such soft tannins, damson plum, a mineral streak running through. Drinking a 15 year old wine for 15th anniversary of diabetes. This is splendid in the moment — 9 years ago

Jon Simpson

9.3

Baking spices, savory herbs, blueberries, plum, lavender... A velvety finish. Enjoyed over conversations at Le Bernardin between courses. — 10 years ago

Victor Demydov

8.9

Great for 30 — 13 years ago

Blair Campomizzi

9.6

A surprise addition of the night. A great blend, about 75% Cab, 14% merlot with CF and PV filling in the remainder. Plum, blackberry and fig show through nicely. Touches of vanilla. — 4 years ago

with Marilea

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby, aged for 18 months in French oak, about 25% new, aromas of red and blue fruits with spice and earthy scents. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry and blueberry with some spice and cacao. This full-body wine had velvety smooth tannins, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy character. — 4 years ago

KDU Wine Club

9.3

Earthy and berry aroma. Smooth and velvety with tastes of black currant, plum, and cherry. Dusty and chalky with a mouth coating feel. Slightly dry and spicy with a lingering finish. — 6 years ago

with KDU

Forrest Trevor Henderson

9.5

Had this with a nice creamy cheese and fruit/nut crackers (slightly sweet) and it was all delicious. — 7 years ago

Deborah Parker Wong

10

Umami, tea leaves, leather, bright and focused mid palate of umeboshi plum, celery salt and sweet pipe tobacco. Looong and memorable. — 9 years ago

Jimmy Smith

Director, West and North London Wine School

9.2

2011: all varieties. Meaty, lavender, garden herbs, smoky, but still very vibrant red fruit. Lovely vibrancy of red fruit and all Mouvedre and Grenache aromatics. Sweet fruit, juicy acidity, hot indian spice and liquorice. Plum, cherry, spiced. Quite ready now. — 11 years ago

Andrew Goldstein

9.8

Black berries, plum, light, chocolate, spicy finish. — 13 years ago