After two long winters of ripening, our wines of the desiderated 2009 vintage were bottled in the early days of May : Gigondas Tradition, Prestige des hautes Garrigues, Rasteau, Côtes du Rhône Les Quatre Terres, Les Aubes de Vacqueyras, Santa Roc… they are all available now at the winery. All of them except for the Grand Grenache, a single vineyard wine we only make in great vintages, which continues ripening in our cellars.

“So what about 2009 ? A perfect year in the vineyard and fantastic weather for harvesting – the essentials of great vintages like 2005.” (Bernard Burtschy in Le Figaro April 2010).

 Let’s take the example of our Santa Duc “Les Blovac” from Rasteau, a prestigious terroir that was raised to the status of a Rhone Cru in 2010. Mediterranean flavours instantly emanate from the uncorked bottle : Rosemary, laurel, green pepper, sour cherries, raspberries and fresh blackberry marmalade… it’s all in the glass ! Full-bodied and sensual, with some crispy tannins giving character and length.

 “An excellent crop of generous and age worthy reds and rich whites.” (J. Livingstone-Learmonth on the 2009 vintage in the Rhone valley, Decanter April 2010).

2009 is a real Grenache year : Summer, sunshine and heat (but no drought !) – under those circumstances this noble grape variety develops ripe fruit, stunning acidity and seductive power on the terroir of Gigondas. The Cuvée Prestige des Hautes Garrigues is a real archetype of those Grenache vintages :

 “[…] A stunning perfume of graphite, camphor, black raspberries, blackberries, white chocolate and smoked meats. Dense, opulent, powerful and rich with zesty acidity, sweet but powerful tannins, and a finish that lasts 40+ seconds, this 2009 needs 3-4 years of bottle age and should drink well for two decades. “ (Robert Parker, Oktober 2010)