2010 Chateauneuf du Pape les Petits Pieds de l'Armand
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Tasting notes
Vivid purple. Heady aromas of dark fruit preserves, garrigue, incense and Asian spices, with a strong floral overtone. Lush, palate-staining blackberry and blueberry flavors show outstanding depth as well as energy, picking up sexy floral pastille and spicecake nuances with air. Velvety tannins shape an impressively long, clinging finish that echoes the floral and spice notes.
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Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A real blockbuster as well as a massive example of old vine Grenache is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Petits Pieds d’Armand. Only 260 cases were produced in 2010 as the Grenache yields were unusually small in this vintage. However, that has added an extra level of concentration. This wine ratchets up the power, concentration, glycerin, opulence and density, revealing a deep purple color in addition to extraordinarily pure black raspberry, black cherry and cassis flavors intermixed with licorice, spring flowers and incense. The alcohol must be in excess of 16%. This unctuously textured, gorgeously concentrated wine is a monument to old vine Grenache grown in the southern Rhone. It should drink well for 15-20 years. This tiny estate, which used to be part of the Domaine des Relagnes, produces two cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape, the traditional cuvee from terroirs near Clos St.-Jean and Grand Pierre, and a 100% old vine Grenache offering called Les Petits Pieds d’Armand from ancient vines (nearly 110 years of age) planted in sandy soil. Besides making first-class wines, Olivier Hillaire is also the village’s top baker. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
One of my favorite wines and a blockbuster in the vintage, the 100% old vine Grenache 2010 Les Petits Pieds d'Armand comes all from the famed La Crau lieu-dit and vines planted in 1899. Offering up a totally brilliant bouquet of kirsch liqueur, creamy raspberry, licorice, and the essence of mixed garrigue and crushed flowers, this full-bodied, powerful, and decadent Châteauneuf-du-Pape is exceedingly concentrated, textured, and rich. Even better than the ’07 and hanging onto plenty of freshness and elegance, this full throttle Grenache should be given 5-6 years of bottle age, and then enjoyed over the following decade or more.
Crimson. Explosive density and richness. Very smooth and supple and concentrated. Sufficient acidity and tannin though neither in excess. Without the acidity it could be just another too-modern variation. (JR)