2009 Clos de la Roche
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Tasting notes
Good bright, deep red. Very fresh, elegant aromas of black cherry, cassis, dried flowers and pepper. Enters the palate like liquid silk, then shows terrific energy and medicinal reserve to its sappy dark fruit, crushed rock and spice flavors. The slowly mounting, suavely tannic finish stains the palate while maintaining excellent thrust. In its combination of stony minerality and tactile, chewy texture, this is an outstanding 2009. (But the 2010 will be even more spectacular.)
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Darkish crimson. Not much nose yet but quite electric on the palate. Like a bright cherry cocktail with a pulse. Well mannered without being dramatic or majestic. Good density. Reasonably jewel-like. Racy but not rich. (JR)
The 2009 Clos de la Roche saturates the palate with tons of fruit. Despite its richness, the Clos de la Roche remains brilliant through and through, with dazzling elegance and an intense, powerful finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2044. This is a stunning set of wines from Patrick Landager. The vintage yielded a set of super-sized, big wines that may shock some readers for their sheer intensity. These are among some of the most backward 2009s I tasted and will require considerable patience. The estate now farms a total of 19 hectares, which includes the vineyards Landager acquired when he bought Domaine Moine-Hudelot a few years back. In 2009 Landager started harvesting on September 22, when most people were already finished picking. Cuvaison started with 5-6 days of cold maceration and lasted a total of three weeks with one punchdown in the morning and a second in the afternoon. The wines spent 12-15 months in oak (roughly 30% new) on their fine lees with no rackings until they were prepared for bottling, which took place with no fining or filtration. (Note: the Chambolle saw 50% new oak). All of the 2009s were bottled in early February 2010. Importers: North Berkeley Wine, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 336-9880; a Peter Vezan Selection (various importers), Paris; fax 011 33 1 42 55 42 93