Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2009 is made from 50% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 5% other vines

Tasting Notes:  A very traditional oak aged Chateauneuf, still young! First notes are fresh fruits, then flowers and light spices, very smooth and elegant. Should drink well for the next 8-10 years

Review: The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape, a blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, was made from yields of 28 hectoliters per hectare. The Syrah and Mourvedre were aged in French oak casks and the Grenache in tank. It is a wine of extraordinary intensity, freshness, purity and texture. Full-bodied with plenty of tannic structure but enough dense, rich fruit for balance, this impressively endowed 2009 should evolve for 10-15+ years.


I visited the three owners of Xavier Vins, the young oenologist, Xavier Vignon, who is the brain trust behind so many of the wines, and his two partners. This relatively youthful, serious negociant company has been doing some extraordinary consulting work in Chateauneuf du Pape, working for such estates as Raymond Usseglio, La Gardine, Jerome Quiot, Beaurenard, La Nerthe, Mont Redon, Maucoil, Roger Perrin, Chateau Marcoux and Domaine Grand Veneur. They access gorgeous fruit from many different appellations and are doing a top-flight job of getting impressive quality into the bottle. Moreover, there are some top values in their portfolio as well. 91-93 Point Robert Parker