2007 Domaine Olivier Hillaire Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Petits Pieds d'Armand
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Thrilling stuff that continues to shine, the 2007 Domaine Olivier Hillaire Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Petits Pieds d'Armand, a tank-aged blend of extremely old vine Grenache, is pure kirsch liqueur, garrigue, licorice, rolled stone-like minerality, and flowers on the nose. Intense, sweetly fruited, and bombastic on the palate, with a silky texture and loads of layers and depth, this off-the-charts Châteauneuf-du-Pape will drink well for decades.
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
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A blockbuster effort displaying lavish richness as well as extraordinary finesse, elegance, and freshness, the dark ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Petits Pieds d’Armand was fashioned from ancient vines planted in 1899 in the famed sector known as La Crau. Aged in tank and a few demi-muids, it exhibits sumptuous aromas of kirsch liqueur, spring flowers, licorice, the seaweed wrapper used in sushi restaurants called Nori, and hints of pepper and spice. Revealing enormous richness, purity, finesse, elegance, and impeccable balance, this stunning wine is one of the vintage’s most compelling examples of ancient vine Grenache made in an unmanipulated style with no make-up. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. A breakthrough vintage for this estate, which was created in 2006 when the former proprietor, Henri Boiron, sold part of his holdings to his son-in-law, Olivier Hillaire. The brilliant consultant Philippe Cambie works with Hillaire, which no doubt explains the extraordinary quality that was achieved both in 2007 and 2008. This tiny estate of just under 10 acres produces two wines, a regular Chateauneuf du Pape and a 100% Grenache cuvee from 110-year-old vines, the Petits Pieds d’Armand. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173
A blockbuster effort displaying lavish richness as well as extraordinary finesse, elegance, and freshness, the dark ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Petits Pieds d’Armand was fashioned from ancient vines planted in 1899 in the famed sector known as La Crau. Aged in tank and a few demi-muids, it exhibits sumptuous aromas of kirsch liqueur, spring flowers, licorice, the seaweed wrapper used in sushi restaurants called Nori, and hints of pepper and spice. Revealing enormous richness, purity, finesse, elegance, and impeccable balance, this stunning wine is one of the vintage’s most compelling examples of ancient vine Grenache made in an unmanipulated style with no make-up. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. Oct 2009, www.robertparker.com