2009 Cotes du Rhone Seguret Grande Reserve
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A blend of 65% old-vine Grenache and 35% Syrah that’s aged in a combination of 60% tank and 40% barrel, the 2009 Domaine de Mourchon Côtes du Rhône Villages Séguret Grande Réserve is a spectacular ’09 that’s even better than the brilliant 2007. It delivers a beautifully complex array of black cherry liqueur, lavender, leafy herbs, and pepper that gives way to a voluptuously styled, round, supple southern Rhône that has more in common with a top Vacqueyras or Châteauneuf-du-Pape than a Séguret. This is a region, and more importantly, a producer, to watch. This beauty is delicious now, yet has more than enough concentration and balance to drink nicely for upwards of a decade.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Seguret Grande Reserve is stunning. Dense ruby/purple, with viscous, glycerin-imbued flavors of roasted herbs, pepper, and oodles of black cherry liqueur, this wine is full-bodied, opulent and generously endowed. Quite a beauty, it should continue to drink well for 7-8 years, although there’s no reason to defer your gratification. In just over a decade, this family-owned estate has become not only a top producer in the southern Rhone, but also a reference point for what’s possible in the picturesque and touristy hilltop village of Seguret. Now, under a negociant label called Mourchon, they have added a cuvee of Chateauneuf du Pape, which follows the Cotes du Rhone reviews. Readers have to be careful, since it’s not easy to distinguish between the two cuvees of Family Reserve 2009. One has a back label that says “Grenache,” and is undoubtedly the smaller cuvee, as it comes from very old vines and production was only 2,000 bottles. Various American importers, including Dionysus Imports, Houston, TX; tel. (713) 822-8007, Cynthia Hurley, West Newton, MA; tel. (617) 965-4251, Wine Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (323) 724-1700; and Ventoux Wines, Chicago, IL; tel. (847) 881-2699
Dunno what Mourchon have been putting on their corn flakes but their wines are amazingly alcoholic this year – two other cuvees 16% according to the label. Perhaps they are being frank when others dare not? Anyway, the heat is not overpowering in this very true-to-type wine with lots of herbs and spices, though it is pretty sudden on the finish. Lots of animal gaminess, and sweetness at first. Very well made though not made for the very long term. (JR)