Here we go again - lucky us! The Cotes du Rhone had two of its greatest vintages in recent history in 2005 and 2007 and now the 2009 is here and just as good. In fact it is already being called a combination of the '05 and '07.
Robert Parker gives the 2009 vintage a 93 for the Southern Cotes du Rhone. Wine Spectator goes even higher, rating the vintage a 93-96! And Wine Spectator compares the 2009s to the hallowed 2007 vintage. Here's the full description:
"Cool, rainy weather in winter and spring was key; ripening was fast but even. Thanks to cool nights starting in late August, grapes retained acidity. A cross between '05 and '07, with ripe fruit and polished tannins."
If you have been drinking the earlier vintages now is the time to re-stock. If you missed these delicious, perfectly balanced, complex wines, now is the time to catch up.
Everyone agrees, the 2009 Southern Rhones are not to be missed. The container has just docked with my
precious cargo of Olivier Cuilleras Cotes du
Rhone Villages-Visan le Deves 2009 and you
should fill your glass.
Grab your cases fast, however, because this
wine goes in and out quickly in every vintage
and I'm forever calling up Olivier and
saying: How fast can you label another 50
cases for me! I'm out! My container leaves in
two weeks!
Olivier's vineyards are in Visan which is a
commune with recognized, superior
terroir in the Southern Cotes du Rhone. This means that because 100% the grapes are from here Visan can appear
on the label after "Cotes du
Rhone Villages."
In the Cotes du Rhone the quality curve is steep. Of all the Cotes du Rhones wines only the top 10% is classified "Cotes du Rhone Villages" and only half of that select area is allowed to use the specific village name on the label. The selected villages like Visan make much more distinctive wines, user lower yields and are well worth seeking out for the best Cotes du Rhone wines.
The Cuilleras family has
owned the Domaine La Guintrandy since 1850.
Olivier's first vintage was in 2000. He has
gone from strength to strength since then.
Le Deves comes from 30-year-old vines.
Olivier uses a blend of Grenache (90%) and Syrah (10%). The heavy emphasis in the blend is on the Grenache because Grenache is so successful in Visan because of it higher altitude and cooler nights.
Olivier does not filter his wines, which means all
the flavor that is created from the juice
mingling with the skins during the elevage
does not actually get removed before the wine
gets into the bottle and you and I get to
drink it. He uses a combination of new and
used barrels to age the wine.
Le Deves is a wine with great lively
acidity which gives it great freshness.
You'll taste lots of black cherry
and currant fruit with some notes of licorice
and minerals. You will be transported to the
south of France. Now, that is a trip I never
mind taking. Cynthia Hurley
