The luxury offering, the 2009 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene, was partially destemmed (50%). A prodigious wine, it boasts an opaque purple color along with notes of graphite, black raspberry liqueur, blackberries, acacia flowers and tapenade. It is a meaty, rich, full-bodied effort revealing a perfect integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood. This beauty will be even better after 5-6 years of cellaring and should drink well for two decades or more.
(Not yet released)
One of France’s most brilliant small artisanal wineries is that of the Ogier family in Ampuis, situated about six blocks north of Guigal’s vast network of underground cellars. The value picks are the wines made from the steep hillsides north of the old Roman settlement of Vienne.
Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083
*Wine Advocate #193 Feb 2011 Robert Parker(96-100) Drink: 2016 - 2036
Delas's two luxury cuvees are both candidates for perfection. One of the vintage's greatest Hermitages is undeniably the 2009 Hermitage Les Bessards (a 900-case cuvee that comes from the estate's holdings in this famous Hermitage lieu-dit). Built like a skyscraper, it boasts a black/purple color as well as notes of barbecue smoke, burning embers, creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, white flowers and powdered rocks. Full-bodied, dense and enormous in the mouth with perfect harmony, this striking Hermitage needs a decade of cellaring and should age for 60+ years.
(Not yet released)
Under the inspired leadership of winemaker/administrator Jacques Grange, who has carte blanche authority from the proprietors, the Louis Roederer/Deutz Champagne firm, Delas has been on a fabulous qualitative roll for over a decade. They have enjoyed some great successes, so it is hard to say 2009 may be the magnum opus of Jacques Grange, but it certainly looks fabulous.
Importer: Maison Marques et Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 587-2000
Wine Advocate #193 Feb 2011 Robert Parker(99-100) Drink: 2021 - 2081