2009
A sleeper vintage with serious upside — while not as showy out of the gate, 2009 quietly delivered ripe, plush wines in warm regions and surprisingly fresh, classic expressions in cooler zones.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🎭 Avatar becomes the highest-grossing film of all time
🦠 Swine flu (H1N1) declared a global pandemic
📱 Apple launches the iPhone 3GS, accelerating smartphone culture
🌍 Obama receives the Nobel Peace Prize
💰 Bitcoin begins trading at fractions of a cent
🇺🇸 Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th U.S. President
💥 “Miracle on the Hudson” – plane lands safely in NYC river
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot, dry, and sunny with ideal ripening across the region.
Challenges/Highlights: Drought stress reduced vigor; some overripe Merlot on Right Bank if not carefully managed.
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September for whites; mid to late September for reds
Reception & Scores: Universally acclaimed — Parker called it “a modern legend”
Aging Potential: Exceptional longevity, especially for classified growths
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 72–82°F (22–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm and consistent with full phenolic ripeness
Challenges/Highlights: High sugar levels required careful winemaking to preserve balance
Harvest Window: Early September
Reception & Scores: Rich and generous wines with immediate charm
Aging Potential: Mid to long term; earlier drinking than 2005 or 2010
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Dry and warm with powerful ripeness in the South
Challenges/Highlights: Some alcohol imbalances in lesser plots
Harvest Window: September to early October
Reception & Scores: North shined — Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage earned huge praise
Aging Potential: Long for top cuvées; plush and ready earlier in South
🇫🇷 Champagne (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 68–77°F (20–25°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Sunny and warm with little disease pressure
Challenges/Highlights: Low acidity year; picking decisions were critical
Harvest Window: Late August into September
Reception & Scores: Good but not great vintage — round and creamy
Aging Potential: Moderate; drinkable earlier than 2008
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot summer with early harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Some loss of aromatic lift in Barolo
Harvest Window: Early to mid-October
Reception & Scores: Good for drinkers, not long-haul collectors
Aging Potential: Medium; accessible earlier than usual
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 80–92°F (27–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry with some heat spikes
Challenges/Highlights: Some overripe Sangiovese; best results in Bolgheri
Harvest Window: Late September into October
Reception & Scores: Bold and plush wines; praised in international styles
Aging Potential: Medium to long depending on producer
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry with healthy fruit
Challenges/Highlights: Alcohol levels crept up
Harvest Window: September through early October
Reception & Scores: Ribera was a standout; Rioja more variable
Aging Potential: Medium-long; ripe, powerful wines
🇩🇪 Mosel (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 70–80°F (21–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm and dry — excellent flowering and harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Some botrytis, mostly positive
Harvest Window: Late September through October
Reception & Scores: Racy yet ripe — a golden vintage for Spätlese
Aging Potential: Long; structured and vibrant
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Mediterranean | 82–92°F (28–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild growing season with cool nights and a dry fall
Challenges/Highlights: A near-perfect year after the difficult 2008
Harvest Window: Late September through October
Reception & Scores: Praised for balance, richness, and polish
Aging Potential: Strong; cellar-worthy Cabs with finesse
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool to Warm Mediterranean | 70–85°F (21–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Long, even season with foggy mornings
Challenges/Highlights: Excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay across the coast
Harvest Window: Mid-September through early October
Reception & Scores: Cool-climate regions showed freshness and clarity
Aging Potential: Moderate to long depending on varietal
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool to Moderate Maritime | 72–84°F (22–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry — one of the warmest years in a decade
Challenges/Highlights: Needed canopy management to protect acidity
Harvest Window: Mid to late September
Reception & Scores: Ripe, generous Pinot Noir with broad appeal
Aging Potential: Medium; best consumed within 10–12 years
🇺🇸 Washington State (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 75–90°F (24–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm and dry, with a sunny harvest period
Challenges/Highlights: Low disease pressure = clean, concentrated fruit
Harvest Window: September to early October
Reception & Scores: Cabernet and Syrah both excelled
Aging Potential: Long for structured reds; plush textures early on
🇦🇺 Australia (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary (Barossa): Warm Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: A challenging year — Victoria suffered bushfires
Challenges/Highlights: Smoke taint in some regions; uneven quality
Harvest Window: February through April
Reception & Scores: Mixed reviews; better in South Australia
Aging Potential: Variable; look to Barossa for power and depth
🇿🇦 South Africa (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 77–90°F (25–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool spring, warm dry summer
Challenges/Highlights: Balanced ripeness; lower yields = quality
Harvest Window: February through March
Reception & Scores: Strong across both reds and whites
Aging Potential: Medium to long for premium reds
🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: High-Altitude Continental | 77–88°F (25–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm and dry with optimal ripeness
Challenges/Highlights: High-altitude Malbecs flourished
Harvest Window: March through April
Reception & Scores: Lush, fruit-forward wines with great appeal
Aging Potential: Medium to long, depending on altitude and style
🇨🇱 Chile (2009)
🌡️ Temperature Summary (Maipo): Mediterranean with Andes influence | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild and stable conditions in key valleys
Challenges/Highlights: Some early picking preserved freshness
Harvest Window: March to April
Reception & Scores: Herbal, polished Cabernet from Maipo excelled
Aging Potential: Medium to long; balanced and structured style
