2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Pure

(100% grenache this vintage, all from century old vines): Glass-staining ruby. An intensely perfumed bouquet shows intense raspberry and boysenberry qualities, along with notes of lavender, anise and Asian spices. Coats the palate with sweet red and dark berry flavors, which show liqueur-like depth and power. Finishes sweet, spicy and long, with a serious whiplash of candied flowers and dark fruit. I underestimated this wine when I tasted it from cask last year.

Sporting a light red, transparent color, the 2009 Domaine la Barroche Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Pure is 100% Grenache that comes from a single, sandy plot of very old vines. Aged all in foudre, the wine is surprisingly approachable and finesse driven, showing the essence of kirsch liqueur and red fruits, with perfumed notes of white pepper, spice, garrigue, and floral nuances all showing up with air. Very fresh and pure, the wine is medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced on the palate, showing a light, weightless texture, sweet fruit, and ultra-fine tannin on the finish. This noticeably darkened in color with air, and gained richness and structure, leading me leading me to believe it will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age, with 10-12 years of solid drinking. At this early stage, it seems to be an accessible vintage for this cuvee that will ultimately lag behind the ’05, and ’07, and possibly the ‘06.