Domaine de la Vieille Julienne - Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2009 (750ml)
Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Description
By creating the first "appellation" of French AOC in 1933, the baron Leroy defined precise criteria of quality which still are a reference today: Limitation of yields, manual harvest and sorting, concept of origin and terroir. To respect the spirit of "appellation" at Vieille Julienne, since five generations are planted Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, Cournoise, Cinsault and even extremly rare varities like Muscardin and Vaccarese. After an entirely by hand done harvest, and two sortings (the first in the parcelle and the second in the cellar), only healty and ripe grapes are vinified. Balance being established in the parcelle, the grapes are vinified without any external contribution (sulfit, tartaric acid...) and exclusively with indigenous yeast. The temperature is controlled during fermentation, over-extraction is not required. At the end of the fermentation, draining is done, by gravity, directly in the "foudre", in which after malolactic fermentation the elevation will continue during one year. After a single sulfiting, the wines will be bottled without fining or filtration.
Wine Spectator: 95 Points
This captures terrific ripeness, intensity and density with stunning mouthfeel, as layer upon layer of fig sauce, braised plum, cassis, cherry eau de vie and pastis glide along together, with notes of spice, ganache and graphite hanging in reserve. The very long finish has cut and precision, despite its weight. Should age effortlessly. Best from 2014 through 2035.
