4 | Wine | Rhone, 2009

"Complex aromas of red and dark berries, Indian spices and violet, with slow-building smokiness. Taut and focused on the palate, offering lively bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that pick up weight with air. Juicy and nicely concentrated Cotes du Rhone with strong finishing punch and lingering spiciness."

"A sexy, seductive, up-front effort revealing loads of berry fruit along with hints of Provencal herbs, licorice and smoked meats. Evolved, ripe, round, full-bodied and loaded, it can be drunk now or cellared for a decade." 90-92 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Modern and very suave. Ripe and distinguished, with a beautiful beam of linzer torte and macerated red currant fruit supported by graphite and licorice notes. The long finish lets the fruit hang on while staying fresh and racy."

"There is not a hard edge to be found in this silky Chateauneuf. ...The sexy, full-bodied, dense garnet-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals abundant aromas of kirsch, plums, figs and black fruits, a lavish texture, an opulent mouthfeel and a long finish."

"The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Origines (1,500 cases produced) is a blend of 50% Grenache, a whopping 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah with the latter two components spending time in new oak barrels. All of the fruit comes from vines that are nearly 70 years of age. A great wine with an opaque ruby/purple color, sensational fruit intensity and notes of graphite, lavender, licorice, lead pencil shavings and subtle smoke, it is full-bodied, rich and powerful with low acidity and sweet, velvety tannins. It should drink well for 15+ years" - Robert Parker

"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." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Surprisingly good, the medium-bodied 2008 Crozes-Hermitage exhibits aromas of tomato skin, roasted Provencal herbs, red and black currants, cherries, spice and earth. It should drink well for several years." -Robert Parker

"It is unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage. ...A deep ruby/plum color is followed by a big, sweet nose of boysenberries, raspberries, licorice, nori seaweed wrap, black currants and earth. Full-bodied, with beautiful texture, purity, depth and power, the 2009 is a notch behind the extraordinary 2007. It should drink well for 20+ years." 91-94 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Complex, heady scents of dark berry liqueur, Asian spices, potpourri and minerals. Stains the palate with intense blackberry and cherry flavors accented by white pepper and allspice. Finishes sappy and incisive, with outstanding clarity and persistence."