All kidding aside, many of the wines that they sampled were from the 2009 vintage. Many of these wines were still in the barrel - still weeks away from bottling, and although it is very difficult to evaluate a wine solely based on barrel samples, they were already garnering tremendous scores from top wine critics. I have had a chance to taste many of these wines at the Pinnacle World Wine Tour earlier this year (were YOU there?) and at industry-only premier events. Personally, I am VERY excited and passionate about the wines I have selected for our store, and I think you will be, too. Here are some notes on the producers and the wines that we have to offer from the 2009 (and even some 2010) vintage.
Bill's Notes: Great roasty black fruit/red berry compote. Touch of provencale herbs. Medium/full bodied with more structure and acidity than '07 with which it is qualitatively equal.Tim's Notes: The 2007 vintage of this wine was my 2nd favorite Côtes du Rhône in that vintage. I had SO much fun hand-selling about 50 cases of this wine... The 2009 will be even more crowd-pleasing, with slightly less licorice and more ripe fruit.
Producer: Domaine de la Solitude
"Solitude has really come back into form in the last couple of vintages with some cuvees acheiving high 90s reviews..." "Their CdP Reds are among the best..."
Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2010 $13.99
Bill's Notes: An utterly unique and beguiling Rosé. 100% Cinsault. Very pale, almost clear onion skincolor. Citrus/watermelon/strawberry and light floral shadings. Our lightest Rosé. Finesse.
Tim's Notes: Frankly, I am tired of people asking for a recommendation for a Rosé and then checking to make sure the wine isn't "sweet." Kool-Aid is sweet (because it has about 16oz of sugar added to it). Dr. Pepper is sweet. Domaine de la Solitude (and every Rosé in our Rosé section) is "dry." This does NOT mean it is flavorless. Strawberries and watermelon flavors burst forth from this wine, but they are balanced by citric acidity, which leaves your mouth watering and ready for another sip. Also - this is my Pick of the Month for July. If you don't like this wine... more for me!
Côtes du Rhône 2009 $14.99
Bill's Notes: Tangy raspberry, flowers and spice. Zesty. Consistently pinot-like with great sweet/tart balance.
Tim's Notes: Balance is always key - and when Solitude executes, they are a shining example of the Rhône. A surprisingly versatile wine.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2009 $44.99
Bill's Notes: Red & Black fruits with some truffly & gamey notes. Deep & delicious in a similar style to '07 but with more freshness.
Tim's Notes: You can tell by the exceptional quality of their Côtes du Rhône that Solitude's Châteauneuf is among the best. A steal at under $50.Look no further for "a special gift for the wine-drinker who drinks everything."
Producer: Domaine Olivier Hillaire
While the Cotes du Rhône and Châteauneuf du Pape are their usual outstanding selves, the surprise of the trip was how spectacular the H de Olivier wines were. These estreme values will be best-sellers for Pinnacle in 2011. Hillaire makes a very modern styled wine with big, big fruit. Not for the classicist, but they are very compelling wines. - Bill Kniep
Olivier Hillaire H de Hillaire Rouge 2010 $8.99 (!!!)
Bill's Notes: Good dark garnet color. Moderately intense nose of pepper, spice and red berry. Tangy & fresh in the mouth with good red fruit and pepper repeating.
Tim's Notes: Not for the nose-in-the-air set, this is just damn fine wine. Easy-drinking, but not wishy-washy. Drink it young and drink it often.
Olivier Hillaire Côtes du Rhône Veilles Vignes 2009 $13.99
Bill's Notes: Great example of a "Wine Advocate" style CdR. Purple/garnet color with big blackberry and black plum with lovely floral and spice components. Big, rich and decadent.
Tim's Notes: This was my FAVORITE Côtes du Rhône of the 2007 vintage, and I CAN'T WAIT to show you the 2009! Bursting with intense dark-black fruits, I regret only buying 10 cases of the 2007. Plenty more this year!
Producer: Bosquet des Papes
Always a great stop.Nicolas Boiron is a larger0-than-life figuer - an ex-Rugby player and all-around great guy. Note that the Côtes du Rhône (available @ Lukas Liquor) doesn't say "Bosquet du Papes" on the label. Apparently you can't use the word "Papes" on a Côtes du Rhone.
- Bill Kniep
This is one of the appellation's most consistentand brilliant producers of Chàteauneuf du Pape, with an impressive record of consistency and high quality dating back over the thirty years I have been tracking wines of this appellation.
- Robert Parker
Châteauneuf du Pape 2009 (88-90pts WA) $41.99
Bill's Notes: Spectacular value for a CdP tradition. Wild strawberry and black chery. Textures are perfect for an entry level CdP with great roundness and ripeness kept fresh by moderate acids.
Producer: Clos des Papes
Châteauneuf du Papes 2009 (92 - 95pts WA) $119.99
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... 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 - Wine Advocate #191: October 2010)
***Parker scored the 2007 vintage 99+ points.
I expect the '09 to receive higher marks
upon the end-of-summer re-evaluation
and sell-out quickly***
