May 10, 2012
While there are still a number of fabulous 2009s hitting the market, we know a lot of the hard core Rhonies are setting their sights on the much heralded, more structured 2010 Chateauneufs. We have offered up a few things previously but now the pace is picking up and we are starting to see a broad selection of top names.As we mentioned in an earlier piece, there are a couple of things to be aware of concerning the 2010 Chateauneufs. The good news is that this is a classic vintage of long lived wines, among the best even within the context of the glorious Rhone run of vintages over the last dozen years. Part of the reason for their concentration and structure is a smaller crop for the 2010 vintage. For the same reason there is 'bad news'. There will be less wine to buy, in some cases 20-40% less! This is a story familiar to collectors. You want some comments? Here you go, this from Robert Parker: "This is a great vintage that comes close in quality to 2007 in the southern Rhône. Some producers think 2010 eclipses 2007 because of the wines’ vivid freshness and focus. Throughout the southern Rhône, the hallmarks of the vintage are very dense purple, sometimes even blue/black colors as well as higher acid levels that have not been seen since 2004 and 2001. In fact, 2010's paradox is that I can’t remember a vintage so concentrated, powerful and rich that also has such zesty acidity…"" The 2010s will have significant aging potential, which is obvious in the level of tannins, but the tannins are sweet with exceptional elegance and finesse. The ratio of high extractive and phenolic skins to the juice has produced wines of extraordinary intensity, freshness, aromatic potential and obvious longevity. This is another great vintage that offers an embarrassment of riches for this region..." This is a vintage to own, these are some pretty serious offerings and these are great prices. The reviews speak for themselves and it souldn't surpprise us if the final scores trended to the higher side. Many of these are limited. For Chatauneuf lovers, it's go time! Good hunting.*Future minimums are three of one kind, six per order. Thank you!
As we mentioned in an earlier piece, there are a couple of things to be aware of concerning the 2010 Chateauneufs. The good news is that this is a classic vintage of long lived wines, among the best even within the context of the glorious Rhone run of vintages over the last dozen years.
Part of the reason for their concentration and structure is a smaller crop for the 2010 vintage. For the same reason there is 'bad news'. There will be less wine to buy, in some cases 20-40% less! This is a story familiar to collectors. You want some comments? Here you go, this from Robert Parker:
"This is a great vintage that comes close in quality to 2007 in the southern Rhône. Some producers think 2010 eclipses 2007 because of the wines’ vivid freshness and focus. Throughout the southern Rhône, the hallmarks of the vintage are very dense purple, sometimes even blue/black colors as well as higher acid levels that have not been seen since 2004 and 2001. In fact, 2010's paradox is that I can’t remember a vintage so concentrated, powerful and rich that also has such zesty acidity…"
" The 2010s will have significant aging potential, which is obvious in the level of tannins, but the tannins are sweet with exceptional elegance and finesse. The ratio of high extractive and phenolic skins to the juice has produced wines of extraordinary intensity, freshness, aromatic potential and obvious longevity. This is another great vintage that offers an embarrassment of riches for this region..."
This is a vintage to own, these are some pretty serious offerings and these are great prices. The reviews speak for themselves and it souldn't surpprise us if the final scores trended to the higher side. Many of these are limited. For Chatauneuf lovers, it's go time! Good hunting.
*Future minimums are three of one kind, six per order. Thank you!
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The dense purple-colored 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Secrets de Pignan Vieilles Vignes possesses sensational concentration as well as extraordinary intensity of blackberry, black cherry and raspberry fruit intermixed with incense, licorice and ink. Full-bodied with stunning texture and purity as well as good precision/delineation, it will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring and should drink well for two decades thereafter.
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape boasts an opaque, deep purple color as well as a stunning bouquet of scorched earth, tobacco leaf, black currants, kirsch and lavender. The impressive aromatic and flavor spectrum is nicely complemented by a long, rich, well-balanced finish with good freshness, precision and zesty acids. This cuvee should drink well for 15 or more years.
These are two very strong vintages from the Di... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "In need of 4-5 years of cellaring, the infantile 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve Sixtine is a behemoth. Made from a blend similar to the 2009's, the 2010 exhibits an opaque purple color in addition to a beautiful nose of melted licorice, blackberries, cassis, smoky barbecue embers, underbrush and soil overtones. Rich and full-bodied with a multilayered mouthfeel, this impressive, pure, well-built Chateauneuf will require patien... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines is nearly off the charts in terms of concentration. It is a less sexy, flamboyant effort compared to the 2009, but it is noble, reserved and pure with plenty of black and blue fruit notes intermixed with subtle garrigue, graphite and spice box characteristics. Full and rich with high tannins, good acidity and a style built for the long term, this 2010 will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring, an... read more
Robert Parker writes in Wine Advocate: "Possessing compelling richness, the awesome, packed and stacked, inky purple-colored 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes possesses remarkable intensity of blackberry and blueberry fruit intertwined with camphor, lavender, licorice and truffle notes. Sensational richness and intensity make this one of the most concentrated, long-lived wines of the appellation.
Don’t miss the following “Bes... read more
Robert Parker writes in WIne Advocate: "The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a more restrained wine, and Christophe Sabon surprised me when he said, “It has the fruit of 2003 and the acidity levels of 2006.” It is a much more reserved wine, with an inky purple color, loads of black fruits, smoke, and earth, very good acidity and moderate tannin. This blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre displays plenty of tannin, so this wine probably does ne... read more
Robert Parker writes in WIne Advocate: "A potential candidate for perfection is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin, which may turn out to eclipse my favorite Chaupin to date, the 2007, and closely behind it, the 2009. Dense blackish/purple, with extraordinary intensity, precision and focus, this wine is very backward due to the higher acids in this vintage, but has a layered, skyscraper-like texture and a stunning nose of kirsch, black raspberries, lavender, and spice box. ... read more
