Archetypical of a Rhône Nord Wine…. Sheer delight.
The vintage

Firstly, the vineyards had to stand a very hot month of July, as hot as July 2003…
Then, they had to put up with a month of August amongst the coldest in the last 50 years ! After a rather pleasant 2005 autumn, winter cold suddenly struck. Frosts were frequent, and the thermometer did not rise above 13°during the best periods in the day.
2005-2006 Winter was long and chilly. Unfortunately, and once again, feeble rains were not sufficient to bring back up the level of water tables. A violent Mistral in Marc and April, then sunshine stronger than the average, did not help fixing this problem. The growing of the vine was thus perturbed, first at the period of the floraison, then in the course of the véraison, causing, in the whole of the vineyards, a notable heterogeneity.
In return, the vineyards remained perfectly healthy. There were more grapes than last year, with volumes close to 2003, but the berries were small, with thick skins. After the heat wave in July, the rains in August supported maturity. Now, the rains of September made the harvest of Grenache delicate. As often - as always ! - you had to be patient and wait for the right moment… As regards the vinifications, you had to show the same persistence. The Wines revealed their nature very late, in the course of the post- fermentation phases. The juice you could then taste, at this moment, let you anticipate the best - most beautiful wonders…

Terroir

Saint Pierre de Bœuf, Chavanay, Chanson.

Ageing

New oak casks - Allier and Tronçais.

Tasting

The fruit is coated with a minerality that shows - violet…Fine and very long on the palate, a seducer !

Alcohol content

13%

Bottling

Manually.

Cépages

Serine
Syrah

Lovely aromas of violet and black tea lead the way for a supersilky palate of mineral, black cherry and macerated plum fruit. The long, fine finish lets the iron note play out against a spice and toast backdrop. Drink now through 2013.

James Molesworth
Wine Spectator , 92/100 , 2009-01-01

Dark purple. Powerfully scented bouquet of mineral-driven dark berries and kirsch, with notes of olive, cracked pepper and violet adding interest. Deep, juicy dark fruit flavors coat the palate, brightened by tangy graphite and iron qualities. Becomes smokier with air, finishing with strong mineral and bitter berry skin grip. This very young wine deserves patience.

Josh Molesworth
Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar , 90/100 , 2009-02-01

The scent is almost addictive-wildly complex with violets and lilies, sweet fruit and well-peppered game, plus cumin, cardamom and cinnamon-like spice. The flavors don't match that intensity, but their light, buoyant style is refreshing. It's a good match for a country pâté.

Wine & Spirit , 89/100 , 2009-06-01