What a difference a good vintage makes to affordable southern Rhones, particularly at the village and reserve level.

Having read Mel's tasting notes for the above wine, I can confirm that one of my favourites for the '07 vintage, Chartreuse Reserve de Bonpas CdR was also performing in a very similar vein on the '09 vintage as well.

Louis Bernard Chartreuse de Bonpas Reserve 2009 also exhibits an inviting nose, with enough structure and tannin to be satisfying. The fragrance and grenache lift to the flavour taking a while to blossom in the glass. I bought some when Sainsbury's were doing their 25% promo for any six (£8.99 less 25%)
Yes, more expensive than the La Chasse du Pape but still very good value for the level of enjoyment, and a wine that you may safely acquire when the Spring offers begin before Easter.

There is talk on this forum of keeping these '09 for a while. I'm not so sure about this judgement. As yet, I don't think they will keep as long as the '07s. The few '09s I've had were a little softer at this stage and a little less concentrated than the 07's, and have been made to be immediately appealing. The '07s are still drinking well, but are beginning to fade at the affordable level. The fading is mainly due to the subsiding of the grenache fragrance, and where the syrah can become more dominant and dull. As long as there is sufficient mourvèdre in the blend this is ok, because a gamey element will pop up with more bottle age. I don't find the dominance of syrah that appealing in an affordable southern rhone, and care should be taken to drink them before the syrah becomes dull (very very different from sweet NW shiraz)

Note ....If you've ever drunk aged Saint Joseph from a mediocre and less ripe vintage, you'll know exactly what I mean when I say "flat and bloody dull". Take these easy southern Rhones when the fruit and frangrance is ascendant, mature for a wee while for some farmyard - do not leave too long; is my initial assessment.

We'll have to see what M. Chapoutier's base southern rhones are like, when they come up, to be more sure of keeping qualities. To see how much structure they can achieve on the '09s.

I wonder if a succession of nice Côtes du Rhone vintages '07 and '09 can convert a few new world addicts ? - Lucky for french producers - eh ! Just in the nick-of-time for affordable france.

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Duncan

I know exactly what you mean about aged, mean northern Rhones. Can be very disappointing. I've never been in a position to try a bad vintage at intervals to see if there is that window of opportunity.

Try La Chasse. I'd be interested in hearing the forum boys' opinion. As soon as it's on offer I'm buying.

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mel

Cheapest for La Chasse in the main retailers is Sainsbury's at £7.15

Will definitely give it a go when it's on offer.

I have a few affordable southern Rhones on the 09 vintage that I have not tried yet. Glad to hear it is shaping up to be a good vintage.

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tribs

To minimise disappointment, only buy Southern Rhones?

Grenache dominated ‘09s are the most age worthy from what I have read.

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Yep, Im still here.

GK - We were talking about "flat land style syrah" namely, the stuff that occupies much of the southern area, as opposed to the supposedly steep and baked slopes up the valley at Saint Joe, where affordable northern rhones can sometimes be found, where the fruit from the stuggling vine at this altitude and the terroir produce someting very different.

The struggling syrah up there on the way to Cornas, is peppery hot rocks stuff, some garrigue, some liquorice root, and with a great tannic structure all enveloped in nice french oak - which when on song, is amazing.

But all too often, the cheaper or hyped Saint Joe, when aged, goes dull & flat, does not perform, and is as mean and as savoury as hell, as if it had been an ordinary CdR that is bloody tired

So "only buy southern rhones" - Duh ! Ya teasing me again, eh ?

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Duncan

It was a serious question.

The cooler north is where syrah dominates, in the south you'll find mostly blends- many with a high portion of grenache. It is being suggested in the industry press that '09 Rhones with a good quantity of grenache should age well.

Therefore, when discussing the aging potential of '09 Rhones it makes sense to suggest looking to the south. Of course this doesn’t rule out the north, and its not a criticism of the quality of its wines.

It makes sense to me

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Yep, Im still here.

Excepting that the southern ones with the exception of Chat Neuf on a higher outcrop do not age that well, whilst the struggling syrah vine on the hot rocky, and extra dry slopes during the day with cool nights, makes a very different style of wine. The syrah friut in the north is smaller and darker skinned, the tannin, a much higher level, and the juice darker and more concentrated - plus the more extensive use of quality oak in the north, at a price of course. The continental heat up in sheltered vineyards in Cornas coould be hotter during the day, and we are looking for a pepperyness and hot rocky minerality that is not found in syrah dominated wines of the south.

The syrah flavour and feel comparisons for:

A good mature Cornas versus a young and ripe syrah dominated CdR village - No contest in terms of power and weight and multitude of flavours
A young and firm and tannic Cornas (almost undrinkable) versus a slightly aged CdR which is very pleasant.


Other than that, I get your point - I'm stopping here, we are both teaching one another to suck ...

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Duncan

I like their Cha/Vio. Shiraz on offer at WR now.

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Four wheels move the body - 2 wheels move the soul.