2009, 2010 Cotes du Rhones

Spurred by the recent thread "I'm close to giving up on Southern Rhones", I though I would take a look at a few CdRs from the 2009 and 2010 vintages. I loaded up on these on release with the intention of cellaring them for 5-8 years and using them as every day drinkers. I had done the same thing about 12 years ago and enjoyed every bottle particularly knowing how little they had cost. The 2009 and 2010 vintages offered a good opportunity to fill in the Poor Man's Cellar.

• 2009 Les Vignerons d'Estézargues Côtes du Rhône Domaine d'Andézon 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  (5/24/2014)

  Coravin'd into a glass and tasted 2 hours later. Medium dark crimson with purple highlights and a thin clear rim. With a bit of coaxing the nose shows smoke, wild herbs and black fruit notes. Nicely viscous with bright, well balanced flavors of black and red fruits, sweet spices and savory herbs. Well integrated tannins provide structure and length to the long somewhat hot finish. Drinking very well now but has the structure to hold and perhaps improve at bit. Drink now to 2016.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2010 Les Vignerons d'Estézargues Côtes du Rhône Domaine d'Andézon 91 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  (5/24/2014)

  Coravin'd and tasted 2 hours later. Very dark, nearly opaque purple/black with a very thin clear rim. Closely held nose features pan-fried spices, black licorice and dark plum skin with touch of black pepper. Dense, meaty and backwards on the palate, the flavors of black plum, tar, and roasted spices are firm and long with tongue-coating tannins. Excellent potential but still very primary and firm. Drink 2016 to 2019

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Domaine de la Janasse Côtes du Rhône 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

  (5/25/2014)

  Coravin'd for 2 hours. Medium color with a fairly wide, clear rim. Ripe, open-knit nose with red berries, garrigue and sweet spices. Soft, ripe, and juicy on the palate with flavors of red fruit and spice with good acidity and ripe tannins. Long and a bit hot on the finish, this is a good weeknight red and weekend, BBQ pour. Now to 2016.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2009 Domaine Rocher Cairanne 89 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Cairanne

  (5/25/2014)

  Coravin'd for 2 hours. Dark with thin clear rim. Deep and brooding nose with black fruit, licorice and leather. Bright and juicy palate impression showing flavors of black licorice, roasted spices framed by decent acidity and firm tannins. While enjoyable now, this could use some more time in the cellar. 89 points for now with a possible uptick of a point or two down the road. Drink 2015 to 2018.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

From this small selection the 2009s are right on track and the '10 are a few year behind them. Again, based on these few wines, I'm glad I loaded up and look forward to enjoying them over the next few years. I have a couple more 2010s that I will try soon and post the results.