Grenache

93 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Vivid ruby. Aromas of cherry and boysenberry are complemented by notes of lavender and violet and lifted by a spicy topnote. At once rich and energetic, with very good depth to its sappy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors. An intense spicy quality builds with air and carries through a very long, seductively sweet finish."

92 points The 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. Robert Parker

(92-95) points The Wine Advocate:I tasted through various foudres of the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape and it is unquestionably a top-flight wine for Clos des Papes that is seductive and forward by the standards of this estate. It reminded me of the precocious style of the 2003, and Avril told me the 2009 is less alcoholic than either the 2003 or 2007, and the pH is a normal 3.75. Yields were a very small 20 hectoliters per hectare, largely because of their selection process and the drought. Every foudre I tasted was beautifully pure displaying a deep ruby/plum color, sweet kirsch and black raspberry fruit, full body, decent acidity (they never acidify here) and sweet, velvety tannins. This should turn out to be a mid-90-point wine that will take a back seat to the 2007, possibly even to their monumental 2006, but will surpass what they did in 2008, 2005, 2004, 1999 and 1998. The 2009 is a beautiful success that should drink well for 15+ years. Robert Parker

 

(89-91) points The Wine Advocate-The 2009 Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Coudoulet red is just a notch behind its brilliant 2007 counterpart and could turn out to be just as good. It boasts a deep ruby/purple hue in addition to abundant aromas of framboise, black cherries, truffles, herbs, grilled steak and meat blood. Spicy, peppery, rich and medium to full-bodied with silky tannins, this beautiful, reasonably priced wine should drink well for 10-12+ years. Robert Parker

(89-91) points The Wine Advocate:The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Mourre des Perdrix offers up aromas of sweet black raspberries infused with anise/fennel notes. Medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, a layered attack, light to moderate tannin, and a fresh, lively finish, it should drink well for 8-12 years. Drink: 2010 - 2022 Robert Parker

(93-96) points The Wine Advocate-The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de la Reine des Bois (made from an identical blend with an identical upbringing) is also one of the most impressive efforts of the vintage. However, Christophe Delorme and his brother, Fabrice, have fashioned so many great Reine des Bois, it is difficult to say if it will turn out better than the 2007, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000 or 1998. Among the most concentrated Chateauneufs of the vintage, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as copious aromas of blueberries, blackberries, melted licorice and spring flowers. This full-bodied offering reveals rich, pure fruit notes, a multidimensional mouthfeel and extraordinary elegance and freshness. It is a tour de force achievement that requires 2-4 years of bottle age; it should last for 15-20+ years. Bravo! Robert Parker