2009 CdP EP Archive

(ARCHIVE) ORIGINAL OFFER

Tasting notes on the 2009's we offered & rating are from Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #191, Oct 2010.

PEGAU

2009 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee. Rating (92-95)
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee has not yet been bottled, but Paul and Laurence Feraud allowed me to taste all the major lots, and I rated all of them between 92 and 95 points. It is another big wine, but there will not be any Capo produced in 2009 according to Laurence. The regular 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape is a peppery, spicy effort with lots of unctuosity, elevated alcohol and firm tannins which Paul believes will soften with the long aging in foudre this wine sees. Big and beefy, it appears to be a better balanced, richer version of their 2005 Cuvee Reservee.


PIERRE USSEGLIO

2009 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape. Rating (90-92)
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape (80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault) is another top-notch effort. The wine is aged in tank (60%), foudre (30%) and 1- to 4-year-old small barrels (10%). Sweet raspberry, black currant, and cherry fruit intermixed with licorice, lavender and tobacco leaf jump from the glass of this perfumed 2009. With outstanding ripeness, a plush, evolved mouthfeel and sweet tannins, this beauty is already complex and delicious. It should age well for 7-8 years.

2009 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul. Rating (92-94)
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul 100% Grenache aged in tank (50%), pyramid-shaped, truncated wood cuves (40%) and barrels (10%) will not make anyone forget the 2007. The good news is that there are 1,500 cases in 2009. Already seductive and more evolved than the 2000, 2005 and 2006 were at a similar age, the deep ruby/purple-colored 2009 reveals a sweet bouquet of blueberries, black raspberries, nori (the seaweed wrapper used in sushi restaurants), grilled meats, roasted herbs and spice. Medium to full-bodied with a plump, voluptuous texture, superb purity and silky tannins it should be one of the few Mon Aieuls that will be irresistible upon release. It will evolve for 12-15+ years.

2009 Pierre Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape. Reserve des Deus Freres. Rating (93-95)
The limited production 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve des Deux Freres (400 cases) is 100% Grenache aged 40% in old barrels, 30% in tank, and 30% in new oak casks. A spicy, full-bodied, powerful effort, it is built for 20+ years of cellaring. The color is a saturated ruby/purple and the nose offers up scents of camphor, toast, blackberry and blueberry liqueur, incense, licorice, truffle and spice box. The wine’s concentration and superb intensity absorb the oak in a shockingly easy fashion. This classic, massive, rich Chateauneuf du Pape needs 2-4 years of bottle age and should drink well over the following two decades.


CLOS SAINT JEAN

2009 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape. Rating (91-93)
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre, Cinsault, Muscardin and Vaccarese from 70-year-old vines. The Grenache is aged in tank and the Syrah and Mourvedre components are kept in 600-liter demi-muids. It is a big, powerful wine offering a dark ruby/purple color, notes of plum sauce, violets, black cherries and raspberries, medium to full body, light to moderate tannins and beautiful density, texture and length. It should drink well for 10-15 years.

2009 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous. Rating (95-97)
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape La Combe des Fous (which essentially translates into the “swale of fools”) is produced from 13 hectares of vines situated primarily in La Crau. It is an interesting blend of 60% Grenache, as much as 15-20% Vaccarese, lots of Cinsault and some Syrah. Tasting the 2009 made me think it is more in the style of the virtually perfect 2005 than the other perfect cuvee, the 2007, which is a bolder, more flamboyant, fleshier, exuberant style of wine. The inky/purple-colored 2009 reveals glorious aromas of spring flowers, raspberries, blackberries, white chocolate, truffles and garrigue. The extraordinary perfume is followed by a sensationally concentrated, full-bodied wine with magnificent texture, structure, purity and equilibrium. It is another brilliant wine that should drink well for 20+ years.

2009 Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf du Pape Deus-Ex Machina. Rating (96-98+)
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus-Ex Machina may turn out to be the “wine of the vintage” if it’s not eclipsed by its siblings. Composed of 60% tank-aged Grenache and 40% demi-muid-aged Mourvedre, it comes from old vines in La Crau (60- to 100-year-old vines). It exhibits a dense purple color as well as notes of tree bark, roasted porcini mushrooms, beef blood, grilled Provencal herbs, steak tartare, licorice, blackberries and kirsch. The perfume nearly overloads the olfactory senses. In the mouth, this modern day legend in the making (which I could also say about the 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007) is massive, backward and full-bodied. The 2009 will require 5-7 years of patience and will last for three decades thereafter. The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Sanctus Sanctorum is 100% Grenache from 105-year-old vines. For those few consumers who will ever taste it, this is one of the greatest wines I have ever tasted in my life ... from anywhere!


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