2008 Rhone offer- Earlier drinking, fresh and Pinot-like
Great Domaines Newsletter
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Dear Wine lovers,
Following the huge success of the 2007 vintage and the hype surrounding the 2009s, 2008 was precariously wedged in between. The 2008 vintage in the Rhone valley did put an end to the string of outstanding vintages that the region has enjoyed since 1998 (save 2002). It was a difficult growing season marked by quite cool and rainy weather, which resulted in a small crop. However it is with vintage conditions like these when the producer’s expertise, reputation and quality-conscious philosophy becomes very important indeed.
We are fortunate to work with some of the great producers in the Rhone valley and included below are Vieux Telegraphe, Les Pallieres, Clos du Caillou and Pegau.
"It was the year of the vigneron and patience,"
said Daniel Brunier, who owns both Domaine Vieux Telegraphe in Chateauneuf and Les Pallieres in Gigondas
"In the vineyard we had to take risks and wait for the good ripening."
The Southern Rhone survived the difficult 2008 conditions better than the North. Rigorous bunch and berry selections were carried out by the quality-conscious and even with all the rain in Spring and Summer, there was some healthy fruit with good maturity. Lighter body, elegance, minerality and no huge over-ripeness were hallmarks of 2008. It is this lighter style of Rhone that can have affinities with the nuance obtained from good Pinot Noir. There is a certain charm to the wines, similar to some wines from 2004 and 2006. The tannins tend to be softer so therefore the wines are more approachable. The wines from the Rhone valley are still very much priced at the reasonable end of the price spectrum and in the context of the vintage are fairly priced indeed. It is always worth mentioning the pricing side of things, especially if you have been keeping an eye on the madness that is happening in the 2010 en primeur (wine futures) campaign in Bordeaux!
We have spiced the below offer up by releasing, from our library, some of Domaine Pegau’s stellar 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape. Dont ignore the more entry level Cotes du Rhones from Clos du Caillou either- delicious, easy drinking reds with that unmistakable Rhone typicity.
Please see below for the full list of wines available and their accompanying tasting notes further below. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with your queries/orders.
Vintage
Wine
Robert Parker
Steve Tanzer
Price per bottle incl.VAT
No. of bottles
Les Pallieres
2008
Gigondas Les Racines (375ml)
89
89
R 125
2008
Gigondas Terraces de Diable
88
91
R 195
2008
Gigondas MAGNUM
88
91
R 395
Vieux Telegraphe
2008
Chateuneuf du Pape (375ml)
89-91
90
R 255
2008
Chateuneuf du Pape
89-91
90
R 395
2008
Chateuneuf du Pape MAGNUM
89-91
90
R 785
Clos du Caillou
2009
Cotes du Rhone
R 130
2008
Cotes du Rhone “Bouquet des Garrigues”
R 155
2009
Cotes du Rhone “Les Quartz”
R 210
2008
Chateauneuf du Pape "Cuvee Unique "
86
90
R 299
Domaine Pegau
2006
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve
94
94
R 480
MIXED CASE OFFER
Domaine Pegau
2006
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reserve
94
94
R 480
3
Clos du Caillou
2008
Chateauneuf du Pape "Cuvee Unique
86
90
R 299
3
Vieux Telegraphe
2008
Chateuneuf du Pape
89-91
90
R 395
3
Les Pallieres
2008
Gigondas “Terraces de Diable”
88
91
R 195
3
TOTAL
4107
12
Less 5%
TOTAL
R 3901
12
2008 Gigondas Les Pallieres :
“The 2008 Gigondas Les Terraces de Diable (80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 5% Clairette, from 40-year-old vines planted at 200 to 400 foot elevation) is a medium ruby-colored effort displaying elegant, Pinot Noir-like notes of bay leaf, strawberries, forest floor and black cherries. Peppery, spicy and well-made in a very difficult vintage for Gigondas, it should drink well for 4-6 years. Drink 2010-2016.”- Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Deep red. High-pitched aromas of red berries and potpourri, with a vibrant mineral quality and a hint of anise. Lively and precise on the palate, offering sweet strawberry and raspberry flavors and a hint of candied flowers that gains strength with air. Impressively elegant wine with lovely finishing clarity and spicy persistence.”- Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
2008 Chateauneuf du Pape, Chateau Vieux Telegraphe
“Production for the grand vin in 2008 was down by 20-25%, and the 2008 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape appears to be a soft, richly fruity wine revealing lots of raspberry and black cherry fruit.The Brunier brothers have turned out a very fine 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape (what they call a -vintage of freshness-). This classic effort possesses more stuffing than most of its peers. It reveals this estate's tell-tale notes of earthy garrigue, herbs, licorice and seaweed, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, soft tannins and more depth than many 2008s. Nevertheless, it will not be a long-ager, so readers are encouraged to drink it over the next 5-7 years.”- Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
2008 Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Clos du Caillou
“Dark red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas and flavors of redcurrant, cherry, rose petal, minerals and Asian spices; rather pinot in style, actually. Silky, dry and precise, featuring good flavor impact without obvious weight. This forward wine stains the palate with perfumed flavors of red berries and herbs and finishes with very good clarity and spicy persistence.”- Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
2006 Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Pegau
“The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee shares a similar meaty, gamy character intermixed with abundant notes of kirsch liqueur, ground pepper and Provencal herbs, sweeter tannins than the 2005, a voluptuous, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long finish. The fruit seems sweeter and I would not be surprised if the 2006 has higher alcohol than the 2005 (although all top vintages here tend to be in the 14.8-15.6 range). This big, rich, impressive effort will age effortlessly over the next 20-25 years.” - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
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