Northern Rhone Report The 2009 Vintage web: jjbuckley.com phone: 888.85.wines (888.859.4637) email:
[email protected] twitter: @jjbuckleywines 7305 edgewater drive, suite d | oakland, ca 94621 TABLE OF CONTENTS Top Wine Picks 3 Introduction 4-5 Appellations 6-12 The Grapes 13-14 Vintages 15-16 Negociants 17 Chapoutier 18 Guigal 19 Jaboulet 20 Delas 21 2009 Tasting Notes 22-36 Photographs 37 About This Report 38 2 TOP NORTHERN RHONE PICKS Favorite Wines of the Visit JJ Buckley‟s Top Picks for 2009 Northern Rhone Reds Chapoutier Ermitage “Le Meal” Clusel-Roch Cote Rotie “Les Grandes Place” Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage (Best Value) Domaine Remizieres Hermitage “Cuvée Emilie” Marc Sorrell Hermitage ”Greal” JJ Buckley‟s Top Picks for 2009 Northern Rhone Whites Chapoutier Ermitage Blanc “L‟Ermite” Delas Condrieu “Clos Boucher” Marc Sorrell Hermitage Blanc “Rocoules” 3 NORTHERN RHONE The Mystery Spot The revision of appellation boundaries A revealing indication of the differences has not been without repercussions. between the two sections can be found New vines have been planted as much in Robert Parker's writings. A long-time for ease of growing and harvesting as enthusiast and promoter of Rhone for making wines of quality. Steep hills wines, his articles about the southern and slopes have historically grown the Rhone outnumber northern Rhone texts best fruit, but it is an expensive proposi- 3 to 1. Given Parker's preference for tion to tackle, as is maintaining those plush and luxurious textures, that ratio sites once the vines take root. New vine- makes sense.