£14.99 and a good call by Lidl to ship this over to UK stores. There were far too many indifferent clarets on the '11 hanging around in the UK.

The vintage '09 as you know was a fleshy and fruity one in Lalande de Pomerol, probably one of the best at this property over recent decades, the wine had some chunky black sediment, which is a good sign for these PC clarets. The nose is dark ripe fruits and a whiff of roast cocoa bean. That nose is carried through to the palate, where a round and fleshy mouth feel is enjoyed with some mild spice in this typical dark wild blackberry & perceived cab franc cobnutty notes. Savoury edge from cab franc me thinks, and light/2nd use oak in harmony with the ripe merlot fruit, and there is fortunately enough tannin and acidity (just) to cut the palate with barbeque sauced roast chicken.

A nicely balanced wine and well ready. But the oak and structure are insufficient for any further maturing. If like me, your bought a few, I would drink this up and enjoy over the next 12 months, before any drying and loss.

I think this wine was best 6 months ago, 4 stars on the easy (for claret) scale. Good

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Duncan