2009 Marcel Lapierre Raisins Gaulois

• By Josh Raynolds
  February 2011, (See more on Vinous...)

  (NV Domaine Marcel Lapierre Raisins Gaulois IX Vin de France) Login and sign up and see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  1/18/2010, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (LAPIERRE Raisins Gaulois) 2009 Lapierre Dear Friends, The winter show-circuit in France is about to get under way (with Ampuis, Millesime BIO and Angers) but if you wait to attend the shows it's often too late - as is the case with this wine. The entire production is already spoken for and it's only January 18th. One of the reasons I start my journey every year on January 2nd is to get a month's head start before the crowds. It puts a damper on New Year's day activities and January vacation possibilities but it's always worth the effort. Tonight's wine is one of the rewards. I may be beating a dead horse, but 2009 in Beaujolais is a vintage for the ages. I've tasted a lot of Gamay in my career and 2009 in this region has a legitimate chance to compare with the legendary vintages of the 1920's and 1940's. I can't say that emphatically about every region in France, not even in the Cote d'Or but, in Beaujolais, you can acquire 2009's with abandon. What makes the vintage even more enticing are the prices - among the lowest in all of France for this level of terroir and detail. While prices are up across the board for the 2009's, they are still downright ridiculous for the quality (I believe we had the 2008 version of this wine for $9.82 but the 2009 is more than twice as good). Marcel Lapierre knows what he has in 2009 and it's going to be highly sought after. Everything from the "Raisins Gaulois" all the way to the "Cuvee Marcel Lapierre" will ring in a new benchmark for his already worthy fame. From fresh-pressed Morgon aged for only a few months in tank, the 2009 Raisins Gaulois is a wine-geek sommelier's best friend. It is the type of dynamic, fresh vin they drink on a daily basis in France and it literally drips the vintage (without pretention) from its red-stained sleeve. It's as though a new definition of "Nouveau" has been written - one for the non-interventionist, terroir sect. Not only is the 2009 Raisins Gaulois bursting with red fruit and minerality (that captivates the intellect) but it's also music to the ears of a tired Monday evening in need of a spark. Only 12.0-12.5% alcohol and utterly delicious with that extra bit of magic from 2009, I believe there were only 800-900 cases produced and all of them were sold last week (in one day, no less - that's how much demand there is for the combination of value and an exemplary vintage). Lapierre jokes that the grapes were so perfect in 2009 you could literally squeeze them directly into your waiting gullet and the Raisins Gaulois label reinforces that fanciful notion. See here for a blurry, low-res photo of the label, taken a few days ago: http://www.garagistewine.com/image011810.html There's not much left to say for this? I'll take every last bottle I can get. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEDNED as a poetic Beaujolais Nouveau of sorts that makes a mockery of the term. ONE SHIPMENT ONLY directly from the winery cellar with perfect provenance: 2009 Marcel Lapierre "Raisins Gaulois" VdP de Gaules Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Burg7322