CRITIC REVIEWS
Jeb Dunnuck
While described as masculine by Paul-Vincent (possibly due to the tannin level and quality), I found the 2009 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape to be quite elegant and almost finesse driven, showing gorgeous kirsch and licorice-laced blackberry-like fruits, Asian spice, garrigue, and floral notes on the nose, medium to full body, and a very straight, focused texture that highlights very fine grained tannin. While quite approachable now, with an almost Burgundian-like texture and density, this should ideally be given 3-4 years in the cellar, and then consumed over the following decade or longer. A resounding success in the vintage and lovers of Clos des Papes will not be disappointed.
Matt Walls
Taking on some lovely forest floor scents, with polished wood and a touch of brown sugar to the strawberry fruit. It’s full-bodied, really quite voluminous and powerful. Intense blackberry, liquorice and seared meat characters present themselves on the palate – this is big, structured, powerful and tannic. The alcohol is showing just a little bit, but theres a lovely menthol side bringing freshness. This was the product of a very long fermentation, so it was stressful to vinify. Ive been lucky enough to taste this several times this year, and there is some bottle variation, but this was a particularly good one.