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Clos des Papes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rouge 2009
Paul Avril et Fils
97Wine Advocate
97Joe Czerwinski
96Rosemary George MW
+4 more$1,014.00
In-bond price · duties & taxes calculated at checkout
Bonded provenance
Climate-controlled storage & transit
Complimentary express shipping
Drinking window
2015 · opens
2020–2026 · peak
2033
now
+7 yrs
Drinking now · best from 2020 · will keep to 2033.
Tasting notes
Joe Czerwinski · Wine Advocate · 97
Still relatively young tasting, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape accents lush red fruit with hints of leather and Asian five spice powder. It's full-bodied and velvety, ripe, plush and long, a completely delicious taste experience that culminates in a lick of salted licorice. Owners should count themselves lucky to have purchased some, as this still has a decade or more of life ahead of it. As Paul-Vincent Avril said, "2009 is still a baby—decant it if you can.
Rosemary George MW · Decanter · 96
A real winter warming glass of wine, with structure and weight. Initially tight-knit, it develops in the glass to reveal ripe, fleshy fruit and a long, rich finish. It is still youthful, with plenty of potential. The blend is one-third Mourvèdre, which is high for Châteauneuf, with Grenache, a little Syrah, and tiny amounts of the other varieties, all planted together.
Jeb Dunnuck · Jeb Dunnuck · 95
Considered by Paul-Vincent to be a hypothetical blend of the '05 and the '07, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape was showing its Mourvedre component on this occasion and had lots of kirsch, spice-box, dried flowers, Provencal garrigue and cured meat on the nose. Full-bodied, ripe and voluptuous, yet still showing the telltale elegance and seamlessness that's the hallmark of this great estate, it can be enjoyed today or cellared for another decade or more.
Stephen Tanzer · Vinous · 95
Full ruby. Intense aromas of red fruit preserves, anise, lavender and exotic spices. Supple and expansive on the palate, offering deep raspberry and cherry flavors accented by floral pastille and spice nuances. Tannins come on late and build with air, but the fruit keeps pace. Finishes firm and very long, with resonating floral and spice notes and impressive energy.
Yohan Castaing · Wine Advocate · 95
A notoriously difficult vintage to vinify according to Paul-Vincent Avril, owing to its sheer power and massive tannic load, the 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Clos des Papes nonetheless emerges with a superb floral bouquet of dark fruits, lilac and violets. Full-bodied, round and structured, it's powerful and slightly rustic, with a pronounced Mourvèdre character, firm but elegant tannins and a long, licorice-inflected finish. It's a testament to Paul-Vincent Avril's skill in taming even the most unruly of vintages.
Josh Raynolds · Vinous · 93-95
Deep ruby. Intensely perfumed cherry, garrigue and flowers on the nose, plus notes of licorice and smoky Moroccan spices. At once fleshy and sappy, with incisive, spicy red fruit flavors complicated by herbs and floral pastilles. Finishes spicy and with superb intensity, echoing the spice and floral notes emphatically. This sample was a blend from five of Avril's giant, mostly old foudres Avril averred that 14.5% alcohol is the jumping off point for high-quality grenache, any less and the flavors aren't complete. This should be just above that so it will be fresh and balanced.
Catalog details
Appellation
RegionRhone
Vintage2009
ColorRed
Top Score97 · Wine Advocate
Format750 ml
SourceMerchant
StorageBonded warehouse