April 30, 2012
There has been a long line of great Châteauneuf parading throguh here over the last few years, interupted by only two vintages (2002, 2008). Putting together an outstanding lineup 2009 Châteauneufs looked to be a much easier task than it actually turned out to be. It certainly is not because there isn't a lot of stunning wine to be had. The lineup below is a testament to how much fantastic Châteauneuf is out there in 2009. Yet when we think back, we have done many fewer offers on 2009 than we had done of previous vintages of this caliber.Why is that? Actually lots of little reasons. A lot of purveyors were trying (and still are) to tie the 2008s to their offers of 2009s. Others held back their 2009s until the 08s sold out (which, not surprisingly, took a while). Also, one of the more important importer sources for Châteauneuf has only just reestablished and retooled his California distribution. For a myriad of reasons, a lot of top Châteauneufs are only just getting here now. For that we apologize. But finally we can lay out an impressive lineup of the lusty 2009s in the manner to which we, and you, have become accustomed. There are some interesting new names, and some old favorites. Yeah, we are still big fans of the southern Rhone, no question. We still believe you can get great wine for less here than most of the elite areas of the wine world. This impressive lineup is broad, but not particularly deep this time around. So good hunting.
Why is that? Actually lots of little reasons. A lot of purveyors were trying (and still are) to tie the 2008s to their offers of 2009s. Others held back their 2009s until the 08s sold out (which, not surprisingly, took a while). Also, one of the more important importer sources for Châteauneuf has only just reestablished and retooled his California distribution.
For a myriad of reasons, a lot of top Châteauneufs are only just getting here now. For that we apologize. But finally we can lay out an impressive lineup of the lusty 2009s in the manner to which we, and you, have become accustomed. There are some interesting new names, and some old favorites. Yeah, we are still big fans of the southern Rhone, no question. We still believe you can get great wine for less here than most of the elite areas of the wine world. This impressive lineup is broad, but not particularly deep this time around. So good hunting.
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "Revealing the lightest ruby color, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Sablons offers an exquisitely fragrant, ethereal nose of licorice, kirsch, sandy, loamy soil and spice box. The remarkable perfume and expansive texture are amazing given its surprisingly light ruby color, but that’s Grenache at its finest. Because of the forwardness of the vintage, I suspect this wine will drink well during its first decade of life. read more
This is apparently a new project involving importer Peter Weygandt and Baptiste Grangeon of Domaine du Cristia. There are three separate cuvees designed to show distinct terroir elements in three different spots in northern Chateauneuf (the sandier section). The yields were in the Leroy-esque territory of a crazy-low 14 hl/ha and Robert Parker draws stylistic comparisons to such names as Ch. Rayas and Charvin, which should get some folks attention.&am... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "A candidate for wine of the vintage, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape (a tank-aged blend of 90% Grenache and the rest Mourvedre, Syrah and Cinsault from 80+ year old vines) is a naked expression of Chateauneuf du Pape that is pure fruit and complexity. Its dense purple color is followed by aromas of melted licorice, charcuterie, Provencal herbs, black currants, roasted meat, plum sauce, seaweed and licorice. It is incredibly complex in both... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape (which tips the scales around 15% natural alcohol) is a great example of traditional Chateauneuf du Pape winemaking. A dense dark ruby color is followed by a sexy nose of raspberries, ground pepper, spice box, damp earth, kirsch and dark currants. Full-bodied, complex, elegant and already irresistible as the tannins have completely melted away, it can be drunk now and over the next 15+ years.
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "Vedeau's top cuvee is his deep ruby/purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cotes Capelan. Revealing a cool climate feel, it offers notes of cool red and black cherries, spring flowers, raspberry liqueur and hints of forest floor as well as lavender. Complex, medium to full-bodied and supple with plenty of sweet tannin, it will be even better in several years and should drink well for 15 years.
This esta... read more
James Molesworth writes in Wine Spectator: "Dense and ripe, but well-focused, with velvety plum sauce woven with macerated fig and currant fruit. Lots of anise and violet flavors pump through as well, while a grippy, pebbly feel stays well-integrated and adds length to the finish. Best from 2013 through 2022. 650 cases imported."
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition is a blend of 80% Grenache,... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "One of the top Chateauneuf du Papes of the vintage is the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale-Vigne Centenaires (from 100-year-old vines planted in pure sand). A blend of 90% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Counoise, and Muscardin (a real field blend), this wine is close to rivaling their great 2007. Its stunning blue/purple color (remarkable for Grenache grown in sand) is followed by a full-bodied wine revealing ... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate:"The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape La Tour du Lion is 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault, but aged in a combination of foudres, stainless steel tanks and small barrels. The essence of Provence, it smells of an open-air Provencal marketplace, with lavender, spice box, pepper, licorice and gobs of strawberry and black cherry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, silky and supple, with full-bodied texture and a long, long finish,... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The sensational 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Feminessance, which is 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah aged in small oak, has the densest opaque color of all three cuvees. This wine has fabulous fruit concentration and comes across as a wonderful segue way between the traditional and the modern styles of Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, pure and certainly a star of the vintage, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for up to 12-15+ years. It is a... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "Under the estate Domaine du Pegau label, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is spending a longer time in barrel and foudre than usual. Consequently, I tasted through three separate foudres, all of which looked spectacular. The final blend will probably be about 80% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre and 2% other varietals. The color is a dense black/ruby (one of the more opaque 2009s I saw), and the powerful nose offers up aroma... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The 2009 is showing better out of bottle than it was last year. Gorgeous kirsch liqueur notes, raspberry jam, forest floor, spice box, new saddle leather and a peppery spiciness are all present in this deep, voluptuously textured, open-knit Clos des Papes, which is atypically forward, luscious and approachable already. These wines often need a good 5-10 years of cellaring in the more structured vintages, but the 2009 is gorgeous from th... read more
James Molesworth writes in Wine Spectator: "One of the more endowed 2009s, this is packed with dark smoldering cocoa, mesquite, tobacco and roasted fig notes, all inlaid with pure cassis and plum preserves fruit flavors. Long and authoritative on the finish, with singed vanilla bean and tar notes adding length and dimension. Best from 2015 through 2026. 4,000 cases imported."
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Beaucaste... read more
