Tasting Rhônes 2009 Vintage
Despite the French strikes we managed to make it back from our 4 day visit to the Rhône Valley. Blessed with fantastic weather we were warmly welcomed by our growers both current and new. Harvest for many growers finished only a week ago, this is always a great time of the year to visit, the vines are showing there autumn colours, the madness of harvesting is over with few loading the press for the last time, and there is more time to spend with growers, taste their wines and talk about the vintage. Making our way through the various appellations of Rhône we visited growers in the North from Tain l’Hermitage, Côte Rotie, Malleval and Ampuis and in the South, Châteauneauf-du-Pape, Vinsobres, Cairanne, Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Tavel.
While this trip was all about the 09 vintage it was also the perfect opportunity to re-taste the 08s and even sample some of the freshly pressed 2010 vintage.
Across both the North and South a common theme became apparent, when compared, the 2009 vintage is a blend between the 05 and 07 vintages. The lush fruit and sweetness is reminiscent of the 07 and the structure and depth to the wines is more like that of the 05, only without the rigid and stern notes. Growers are very impressed with the 2009 vintage and were very fascinated by the style and characters it produced, qualities that some winemakers said they had never come across.
The 2009 red wines have wonderful freshness on the nose, some wines showed a little reduction too, but across the board were generally fruit driven. The grapes of 2009 reached an optimal Phenolyic ripeness producing tannins that are structured and round. Their is definitely some tannic power in the wines but this is complemented by the lush sweet black fruits, something that is so prevalent in the 07 vintage. Once again, the alcohol levels of the wines are in check, although in some instances, especially in the South, the heat started to show – one can expect from Southern Rhône. The wines have a wonderful acidity to them helping to create this freshness they possess and carrying the length on the finish. This is clearly a good vintage. What stood out amongst the wines that were tasted was the ability to enjoy them straight away, it was surprising to experience wines straight from the barrel that could be enjoyed quite easily at the dinner table. This is a vintage that will both age well or can be enjoyed in the first 1-4 years.
From the slopes of Côte Rotie, through Hermitage and down to Vacqueyras and Tavel the wines express wonderful minerality, not overwhelming but well infused helping to create this freshness and lush character. This minerality is especially noticeable in the whites. The Marsannes, Rousannes, and Viognier of Rhône showed very well for the 09 vintage. Packed with blossom and tropical fruit aromas they are simply delicious. However, they did not express as much fruit on the palate as on the nose, but rather, a minerality aspect that coated the mouth and was indeed very pleasing. They showed good length and will be superb whites to enjoy over the next few years.
We are also excited to be showing wines from new growers including Domaine Tour Saint Michel from Châteauneauf-du-Pape, with a more feminine style of wines that are stunningly good. Also joining our portfolio is La Fume Du Mont, also from Châteauneauf-du-Pape, with vineyards sites through out the Rhône this exciting and passionate producer is one to look out for.
