Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  4/2/2009 (link)

  (DELAS CdP) 2007 Rhone Dear Friends, One of my colleagues and friends (known as as the "iron palate of Clamart") tasted over 1200 Rhones last week (mostly 2007s) at the Rhone Valley tastings in Avignon - and he's still standing. I mention this because it's indicative of the critical element that sets the vintage apart from its predecessors - freshness. When the 2007s are "on", they have an uncanny freshness and heavenly, weightless feel despite their massive size. The impression leaves the taster invigorated instead of downtrodden. When vintners pushed their 2007 grapes beyond their natural ripeness, that's where the vintage starts to break down - the wines are so over-the-top that it's tough to stomach (or enjoy) the results. The wine below is an example of allowing the vintage dictate the wine - the freshness is on display with aplomb and it is a perfect representative of what makes 2007 so special (it's also a price/value star). For some reason, this wine has become very difficult to source, possibly due to it's appealing tariff (the lowest priced wines of the vintage have already sold out in many areas). We have one small shipment only so please let Niki know your desired requests and she will do her best to allocate: EXTREMELY LIMITED ONE SHIPMENT ONLY at this price: 2007 Delas Freres Chëteauneuf du Pape Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Rhone8911