Very nice rating harvest for les Vins de Vienne this month in WS who published the 1st part of their insight on Northern Rhône wines. It shows that you can make Négociant wines and maintain (or is it improve?) quality as long as it remains a priority above quantity factors. In that respect, Les Vins de Vienne will certainly remain a boutique négociant and importers, retailers and sommeliers around the world will keep struggling to get their allocations. But you can buy their wines with eyes closed.
Côte-Rôtie Les Essartailles 2009 – 92 points
“This is packed solid with blackberry, mashed currant, roasted plum and fig fruit flavors, all laced with iron and espresso notes through the long finish. There’s ample grip for the cellar. Drink now through 2019”.—J.M.
Hermitage Les Chirats de St.-Christophe 2009 – 92 points
Dark, with layers of fig, boysenberry and blueberry fruit framed by a lightly chewy cocoa powder and coffee edge. The saturated finish lets cassis and anise hang on, with noticeable grip thanks to a lingering charcoal edge. Best from 2012 through 2020.—J.M.
St.-Joseph L’Arzelle – 2009 -92 points
Fleshy and inviting, with ample toast melded nicely into the core of braised fig, linzer torte and cassis, all gliding through the tobacco-filled finish. This has weight, but stays very suave. Drink now through 2016.—J.M.
Cornas Les Barcillants 2009 – 93 points
Offers a great combination of modern-style Black Mission fig, plum sauce and steeped blackberry fruit with old-school charcoal, maduro tobacco and bay leaf notes, all backed by a briar and sweet tapenade-filled finish. Best from 2012 through 2023.—J.M.
Condrieu 2009 – 92 points
Shows a flash of matchstick, before giving way to a juicy core of Jonagold apple, anise, starfruit and melon flavors, all backed by green almond and chamomile. Rich but racy on the finish, with excellent drive. Drink now through 2011.—
J.M.
St.-Joseph 2009 – 91 points
Dark and winey, with pastis-soaked black currant fruit packed with extra briar, dark tobacco and spice notes. A nice grippy edge frames the finish. Best from 2012 through 2015.—J.M.
Crozes-Hermitage 2009 – 90 points
Rather reserved, with a core of crushed plum, blackberry and roasted fig fruit held in check by warm cocoa and espresso notes for now. The finish is very plush, with hints of incense and black tea weaving through. Needs brief cellaring to come together fully. Best from 2012 through 2014.—J.M.
Côtes du Rhône Les Cranilles 2009 – 87 points
Ripe, with a fleshy feel to the anise, plum skin and crushed blackberry fruit, followed by a twinge of red licorice on the finish. Drink now.—J.M.
HOT WINES
Condrieu Les Archevêques 2009 – 93 points
Very ripe, with bold orange peel, creamed green melon and anise aromas and flavors, followed by creamed peach, almond and pear notes on the creamy, dense finish. A hedonistic Viognier, with the freshness for balance. Drink now through 2012. From France.—J.M.
Check out Les Vins de Vienne’s Website: http://www.vinsdevienne.com/ . Very graphic, very instructive although only in french for now.. Take a look anyway.
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