2009 Domaine Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Celestins
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Tasting notes
The 2009 Châteauneuf Du Pape Reserve Des Celestins is certainly mature, yet it still has at least another decade of prime drinking followed by a gradual decline thereafter. A semi-opaque ruby hue with just a kiss of bricking at the rim, it has an essence of Provence-like perfume of sweet black cherries, roasted garrigue, licorice, and herbes de Provence. With full-bodied richness, a supple, layered, seamless mouthfeel, integrated tannins, and beautiful overall balance, it's not in the massive, concentrated style of the 2010 and shows the sun-kissed, complex, incredibly seductive style of the 2009 vintage beautifully. I followed this bottle over the course of an evening, and it needs about an hour of air to show at its best. Drink: 2025-2039.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Tasted from bottle include the 2009 Châteauneuf du Pape Reserve des Célestins, which was purchased stateside. It’s about as Provençal as they come and garrigue, kirsch liqueur, cured meats, saddle leather and licorice notes literally soar from this ruby-colored, full-bodied, sexy, heady Châteauneuf du Pape that has tons of glycerin and fat, sweet tannin and a great finish. Reminding me of a lighter weight 1990 with its sunny, sexy personality, it’s already hard to resist and should continue drinking nicely for 15+ years.
Extraordinary richness and vibrancy in this throbbing cauldron of ripeness and spice but with some grainy tannin still in evidence. A wine to be sipped cautiously rather than swigged, so potent is it. Massive richness. No hurry whatsoever to drink this. (JR)
About the producer
This very old-school property makes the most unique Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The wines are fantastically complex and Boneauu made it as it would have been produced 100 years ago in the commune, using methods that familiar to any of the 11 generations of vignerons in his family who preceded him.