Rhône 2010 Vintage Report and En Primeur Offer
"No British wine merchant understands the region better."
Robert Sandall, GQ Magazine, January 2009
Without doubt, the 2010 vintage in the Rhône is magnificent. As current IWC Rhône Specialist Merchant of the Year 2011 and with over 40 years’ experience of shipping wines from the Rhône, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of 2010 wines from the region’s leading winemakers.
Some of these wines are already bottled and shipped, therefore you can click through below and buy these wines online immediately for delivery, as normal.
Our Rhône 2010 en primeur offer closed on Friday 13th January. If you have any questions about wine bought en primeur, or if you missed out completely, please contact Bianca by telephone on 01747 860423 or email at bianca@yapp.co.uk.
Region Overview
After a cool Spring, the Northern Rhône experienced near perfect conditions throughout June, July and August. Patchy rain in September, prior to the harvests, benefitted the vines, bringing a welcome balance to this vintage. As in the South, the harvest began around two weeks later than in 2009 (which was very early) and fermentations were short (12 days chez Clape), indicating good quality grapes. In general, the 2010 vintage is more typical and closer to the terroir than the fruit-forward, more muscular 2009s. Truly two great back to back vintages that have drawn comparisons with 1990 & 1991, as well as 1999 and 1978 (in the North).
The Southern Rhône had a slow start to the year, resulting in coulure (where the flowers fail to develop into grapes). This particularly impacted Grenache and yields were down by up to 30%. A hot Summer prevailed with a particularly dry August, but cool nights helped maintain good acidity and freshness in the fruit. Harvesting took place from the second week of September, two weeks later than in 2009. At Le Vieux Donjon we tasted the 2010 alongside the legendary 2007 and it lost nothing by comparison, while Emilie Boisson at Domaine Père Caboche considered the 2010 to her ‘vintage of the decade without question’.
Independent Testimonial
"Wine lovers in search of great French wine whose prices have not (yet) been inflated by demand from Asia are currently able to choose from two great vintages in the northern Rhône."
Jancis Robinson MW - Financial Times, January 2012.
"...having already started my tastings of the 2010 vintage in Burgundy and the Rhône, I must urge those of you who like wines from these two great French wine regions to try to put a bit of money aside (ha!) to invest in the 2010s from them. After the unusually ripe, relatively low acid wines made in 2009, the 2010s typically show considerably more precision and freshness, and more supple tannins in the case of the southern Rhône. "
Jancis Robinson MW, Purple Pages (JancisRobinson.com) December 2011.
"This is a great vintage that comes close in quality to 2007 in the southern Rhône. Some producers think 2010 eclipses 2007 because of the wines’ vivid freshness and focus."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate November 2011.
"As I have stated several times before, I love 2010. It is a great vintage, truly. I recommend buying it."
Drinkrhone.com, John Livingstone-Learmonth.
"With the 2010 harvest completed, France's Rhône Valley now has back-to-back potentially outstanding vintages in both the northern and southern portions of the valley, following the difficult 2008 season. The only downside consumers may have to deal with is low quantities of wine."
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator.
"You are going to adore these (Rhone) 2010s. Small yields in the South, beautiful acidity and impressive ripeness in the North, 2010 promises to be superb quality. The wines will be delicious in the richness of their youth but equally age-worthy. Isn’t that the definition of a Great Vintage?"
La Revue Du Vin De France, June 2011.
Listed below are the wines with Jason Yapp’s recent personal tasting notes and scores:
Rhône 2010 Wines available now for immediate delivery
Northern Rhône - White
Domaine Georges Vernay
Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes ‘Le Pied de Samson’
This understated gem oozes finesse - classic Viognier aromas of lychees and mangos precede a taffeta textured palate of apricots underscored by subtle mineral notes, preceding a dry elegant finish. 12.5°.
Drink now – 2013 (17/20). £261 per case. Available to buy online now.
Domaine Georges Vernay
Condrieu ‘Les Terrasses de L’Empire’
A very fine bouquet of citrus peel and ripe apricots is followed by a pure palate of white peaches, mineral undertones, fresh acidity and great length..
Drink now – 2015 (17.5/20). £468 per case. Available to buy online now.
Domaine Alain Graillot
Crozes Hermitage
An unashamedly modern, mid-weight, white Crozes’ made from an 80% Marsanne / 20% Roussanne blend (bottled under screwcap at our behest) that has a bright bouquet of apricots (with hints of almond) and ripe white plum flavours. This will make for a versatile aperitif or partner to fish and poultry. 13°.
Drink now – 2013 (16.5/20). £225 per case. Available to buy online now.
Jean-Marie Lombard
Brézème: Jean-Marie Lombard
This little-known but deftly-crafted bottling hails from an unusual blend of 80% Marsanne and 20%
Viognier. With appealing scents of acacia flowers and honeysuckle a wonderfully fleshy palate and fine mineral notes this curio represents great value and deserves wider recognition..
Drink now – 2014 (16.5/20). £198 per case. Available to buy online now.
Northern Rhône - Red
Maxime Graillot
Crozes Hermitage ‘Equinoxe’
Maxime Graillot is a chip off the old block making fruit-driven wines for gratifying early consumption. This impressively purple-hued offering has attractive black cherry and bacon fat aromas and affine concentration of juicy black fruit underscored by a fresh acidity offsetting youthful tannins. 13°.
Drink now – 2014 [Screw-cap] (16/20). £159 per case. Available to buy online now.
Southern Rhône - White
Domaine du Père Caboche
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
With ripe pear and white peach aromas, a clean, fruity, mid-weight (refreshingly un-oaked) palate and zesty citrus undertones this wonderfully accessible white Châteauneuf’ is made for immediate gratification and can be enjoyed as an aperitif. 13.5°.
Drink now – 2014 (16/20). £215.40 per case. Available to buy online now.
Le Vieux Donjon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
With an inviting bouquet of ripe orchard fruit and a ripe, rounded, mid-weight palate of yellow plums and peaches preceding an elegant, dry, mineral-edged finish this exuberantly fruity white Châteauneuf’ is already drinking well but should keep happily for a further 3-5 years. 14.5°.
Drink now – 2015 (XX/20). £300 per case. Available to buy online now.
Southern Rhône - Red
Domaine du Père Caboche
Vin de Pays de Vaucluse ‘Petit Caboche’
This juicy, berry-fruited Grenache / Syrah / Caledoc / Marselan blend made by the long-serving mayor of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Jean-Pierre Boisson, always provides rewarding, economical drinking particularly in top vintages like this seductive 2010. Berry and cherry flavours are supported by a foundation of supple tannins. 13.5°.
Drink now – 2014 (15/20). £99 per case. Available to buy online now.
Domaine du Père Caboche
Côtes du Rhône Villages: Château ‘La Côte’
This highly accessible, forward-drinking Villages bottling has a good garnet colour, a fine nose of
cherries and a clean palate of garrigue fruit..
Drink now – 2015 (15.5/20). £135 per case. Available to buy online now.
Domaine du Père Caboche
Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Père Caboche Magnums
Emily Boisson rates this as her ‘vintage of the decade without question’. A gentle bouquet of hedgerow
fruit yields to a seductive core of sweet blackcurrant with hints of liqourice and fondant tannins..
Drink now – 2018 (17/20). £270 per case (6 mgs). Available to buy online now.
Rhône 2010 Wines Offered En Primeur for delivery in 2012
Northern Rhône
Condrieu
Domaine Georges Vernay
Condrieu ‘Les Chaillées d’Enfer’
This cuvée of Condrieu hails from vines dating back to 1957 the fruit of which is allowed to ripen for as long as possible prior to picking. It is then fermented and raised in oak barrels 25% of which are new.
Always a rich, concentrated and gastronomic wines with a bouquet of brioche and grilled nuts and a rich powerful, persistent palate..
Drink 2012 – 2018 (18/20).
Domaine Georges Vernay
Condrieu ‘Coteau de Vernon’
The Coteau de Vernon is a single-vineyard representing the prized ‘sweet spot’ in the centre of Condrieu’s principal escarpment.
For many observers this is the epitome of the Viognier grape, with diverse citrus and tropical fruit aromas and a multi-faceted palate of honey, nuts, white fruit and minerals..
Drink 2012 – 2020 (19/20).
Côte Rôtie
Patrick Jasmin
Côte Rôtie
Patrick Jasmin has the privilege of owning 11 parcels of vines spread over 8 different lieu-dits which gives him a broad palette of fruit from which to make his final assemblage. His vineyards are planted in a field blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier.
This deep purple-hued offering has all the components of a great vintage, with a wealth of dark stone fruit flavours supported by fine tannins and a fresh acidity. It is arguably even more complex than the excellent 2009 from this ‘on form’ estate..
Drink 2014 – 2030 (19/20).
Joël and Roman Champet
Côte Rôtie
Father and son Joël and Roman Champet farm 3 hecatres of vines in the middle of ‘La Viallière’ vineyard on the schist and mica soils of the Côte Brune. Traditionalits at heart they eschew the intervention of oenologues and advisers preferring to follow their own tried and tested methodology.
The 2010 vintage has attractive violet and cassis scents, tarry top notes and a core of autumnal fruit, over youthful tannins..
Drink 2012 – 2020 (17/20).
Cornas
Domaine Auguste Clape
Cornas ‘Renaissance’
Made from the Clapes’ younger vine holdings of between 12 and 25 years-old, the Cuvée Renaissance is a (relatively) forward drinking Cuvée (raised in used oak casks for 18 months) that can age well for at least a decade.
Extensive barrel tastings revealed bountiful blackberry fruit off-set by fresh acidity and elegant tannic structure..
Drink 2015 – 2025 (18/20).
Domaine Auguste Clape
Cornas
The Clape family’s flagship bottling hails from vines growing in 6 different climats, the grapes from which are vinified separately in large oak tonneaux for up to 2 years prior to a painstaking assemblage, egg white fining and (unfiltered) bottling. It is always a wine made with a close regard for the context of the vintage, never showy or overworked but complex and age-worthy, it is to many observers one of the finest expressions of Northern Rhône Syrah to be found.
If the 2009 vintage was all power and méridional influences, then the 2010 is a classic expression of this appellation with a superb balance between pure ripe fruit, fresh acidity and dense tannins, reminiscent of the stunning 1999 vintage..
Drink 2016 – 2035 (19/20).
Crozes Hermitage and Saint Joseph
Domaine Alain Graillot
Crozes Hermitage Rouge
Alain Graillot is a visionary who, in his first vintage in 1985, proved that you didn’t need to be part of a wine-making dynasty with treasured terroir to produce world class Syrah. His philosophy is simple: ‘to produce wines that people can afford and want to drink’. This classic red, which comes from vines on Le Chassis plateau is aged for a year in Burgundy barrels (of 1-6 years of age), then fined but not filtered prior to bottling.
A blockbuster effort whereby naturally reduced yields resulted in intense concentration of fruit. With a vibrant, dark purple colour, violet aromas and classic black cherry and cassis flavours supported by a foundation of ripe tannins, this audacious offering will repay cellaring for at least five years..
Drink 2014 – 2020+ (18/20).
Domaine Alain Graillot
Saint Joseph Rouge
Alain Graillot only has 1.5 hectares of vines in Saint Joseph making this wine a comparative rarity.
A bouquet of crushed cherries and black pepper precede a pallet of dark autumnal fruit with warming, spicy undertones..
Drink 2012 – 2015 (16/20).
Hermitage
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave
Hermitage
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave remains the lodestar of this Appellation and one of the most celebrated estates in the Northern Rhône. Their wines’ long élévage means that they are released later than the majority of their peers. We will release the 2009 Hermitage from Domaine Jean-Louis Chave in February 2012 on a strict allocation basis, with the 2010
vintage following in 2013. Both vintages were tasted in October 2011.
When tasting through the component climats of both the red and white Hermitage 2010 with Jean-Louis, it was apparent that this vintage enjoys precise, pronounced acidity, clean fruit and harmonious balance. Volumes were down from 2009 due to lower natural yields. Although it is early days, Jean-Louis remarked that this reminded him of the (magnificent) 1991 vintage.
To register your interest in an allocation of 2009 Hermitage from
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (if you have not done so already), please contact bianca@yapp.co.uk.
Hermitage Blanc 2009
Tasting the now assembled Hermitage white, it is clear that, as predicted, this is a stunning success. Made from a traditional blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne raised in vat and cask for 22 months prior to bottling, this richly fruited, superbly balanced wine is already delicious and will gain complexity with cellaring..
Drink 2013 – 2030 (19/20).
"As usual, tasting through both the white and red Chave Hermitages is essentially a walk through the greatest vineyards of Hermitage. I tasted all the component parts of the 2009 Hermitage Blanc from barrel tastings and they all scored in the mid- to upper-90s. It is another powerful, rich vintage for Chave with the wine possessing prodigious concentration, abundant minerality and plenty of apricot marmalade and rose petal characteristics. There is a noticeable liqueur of minerality-like component, especially in those barrels from l’Ermite. The tropical fruit and rose petal notes tend to come from Maison Blanche and Peleat where there is significant Roussanne planted. This seriously rich, full throttle white Hermitage should have 20-30 years of longevity. Chave eliminated over one-third of the harvest in 2008 in order to achieve in high level of quality." RP 94-98. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.
Hermitage Rouge 2009
Tasted in cuve, the still-to-be-assembled red 2009 components displayed both power and finesse with a rich concentration of sweet, dark fruit and a wealth of ripe tannin..
Drink 2020 – 2050 (19.5/20).
"The 2009 Hermitage appears to be Chave’s greatest red Hermitage since the 2003 and 1990. In many ways, it has more in common with 1990 than 2003, although the 2009 possesses fresher flavors and marginally less alcohol than either vintage, but most of the 2009 cuvees achieved close to 15% natural alcohol. Abundant notes of blueberries, blackberries, cassis, flowers, licorice, beef blood and crushed rock are present in the different cuvees. The most floral are Peleat and Les Beaumes, the most concentrated are Meal and Les Bessards, and the most dominated by crushed rock/minerality is l’Ermite. There is plenty of noticeable tannin and the 2009 will need a decade of cellaring. It will be capable of lasting 40-50 years. RP 95-100, Drink 2021-2071". Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.
Southern Rhône & Beyond
Baux
Domaine de Trévallon
Trévallon Rouge
Bottled as a simple ‘Vin de Pays’ Eloi Dürrbach’s maverick Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon blend technically lies in Provence but has strong ties to the Rhône in terms of geography, wine-making and esprit. Low yields (25-30 hl/ha) and no chemicals give thick-skinned grapes that need 2-3 weeks cuvaison. The parcels of grapes are allowed a warm fermentation, using only indigenous yeasts, in small oak foudres where they rest for 18 months before an unfiltered, unfined assemblage and eventual bottling 25 months after the harvest.
Although slightly less concentrated than the audacious 2009 vintage, the 2010 is unquestionably a serious vintage with firm tannins and a fine acidity that which will repay bottle-age. Domaine de Trévallon is certainly enjoying a purple patch at present..
Drink 2015 – 2028 (17.5/20).
Le Vieux Donjon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
Le Vieux Donjon is a 15 hectare family-run estate which came into being in 1979 when Lucien Michel married Marie-José. They commendably make only one cuvée, from a traditional blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault that is fermented in vat and raised in large oak foudres for 18 months before bottling. It is consistently rated among the finest sources of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Tasted alongside the legendary 2007, this dense wine lost nothing by comparison . Its deep autumnal fruit bouquet primes the senses for a spectacular array of pepper, spice, black olives and ripe garrigue berries and herbs, supported by a solid foundation ‘belle chapentre’ of fine grain tannins..
Drink 2014 – 2025 (19/20).
Victoria, Australia
Jasper Hill
You might be inclined to say that if Provence is stretching things for a Rhône offer, Australia is taking the mickey. Yet, as one of the world’s foremost experts in vinifying Syrah / Shiraz, Ron Laughton’s celebrated wines merit inclusion. Based an hour and a half north of Melbourne on an iron-rich strip of Cambrian soil, the Jasper Hill estate has been producing world-class wines for thirty years. The wines are biodynamically-farmed, not racked, filtered nor fined; only natural yeasts are used to initiate fermentation, the vineyards are un-irrigated and yields are between 10- 20 hectolitres / hectare.
We were delighted that Ron Laughton was over in the UK twice this year, once for The Natural Wine Fair in May and then to co-host a seminar on Australian Shiraz for the Masters of Wine in September. This gave us an opportunity to taste his excellent 2010 vintage and offer it to you on an en primeur basis for the first time.
"Given all the doom and gloom of 2009, it was about time Victoria and Tasmania had a good, easy vintage. So thank goodness for 2010. Preliminary tastings of first releases confirm what the winemakers have been telling me – it’s a cracker. That there were no heat extremes and a good amount of winter / spring rains certainly made for a far easier vintage, with the level of greatness firmly in the hands of the winemakers." Lisa-Perotti Brown MW, Wine Advocate.
Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz
With a semi-opaque, deep purple robe and intense aromas of cassis and liquorice supported by complex, berry fruit flavours and ripe tannins, this voluptuous Victorian Shiraz wears its 14° alcohol very lightly and has an amazingly fresh palate-cleansing acidity..
Drink 2014 – 2025. £354.00 per case In Bond Octavian.
Jasper Hill Emily’s Paddock Shiraz
A deep bouquet of dark fruit with hints of eucalyptus takes a while to open up in the glass prepping the palate for diverse earth, spice and hedgerow fruit flavours over a background of fine tannins with mineral undertones. This is still a little closed compared to its fruit-forward sibling but it bears all the hallmarks of being a world class, age-worthy Shiraz that should cellar well for at least a decade. 14°.
Drink 2015 – 2025+
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR IN BOND PURCHASES
The In Bond prices quoted are per case delivered to Octavian Corsham and exclude duty, VAT, onward delivery and storage. Payment should be made by debit or credit card at the time of order. It would be helpful if, at the time of purchase, you can advise where you will want the wines eventually delivered or stored. When the physical wine arrives at Octavian Cellars we will contact you to advise you of any additional payments that are due in respect of duty and VAT (if you are withdrawing the wine from bond), storage or delivery charges, including In Bond transfer charges.
Your options are as follows:
Wine remaining Under Bond
If you have your own bonded arrangements at Octavian Ltd you can advise us of the account details for a Transfer Under Bond. No further charge. You can store your wine Under Bond with Yapp Brothers. It will be held in the Yapp Brothers’ Client Account at Octavian Ltd. No further charge. You will, however, be charged storage, currently £12 per case, per annum, inc VAT. We can arrange for Octavian to deliver your wine Under Bond to another bonded warehouse. Such In Bond transfers outside of Octavian are charged at £15 per case up to 2 cases, £5 per case
thereafter and must be paid before the transfer request is actioned. You will also need to advise us of account / warehouse details for the transfer.
Delivering & Storing Wine Duty Paid
If you would like us to organise delivery of your wine Duty Paid, we will do so under our normal delivery terms. You can store your wine at Yapp Brothers’ premises Duty Paid, currently £12 per case per annum, inc VAT.
Duty and VAT
When wine that has been held in bond is withdrawn from a bonded warehouse, you will be charged duty and VAT at the prevailing rates on the original cost of the wine. The current duty rate is £21.71 per case and the VAT rate is 20%. Therefore, the duty and VAT on a £200 case of wine withdrawn from bond in December 2011 would be £66.05 (NB. you pay VAT on the cost of the wine including duty).
To discuss the Rhône 2010 wines and vintage, call Yapp Brothers Wine Merchants on 01747 860423, or email sales@yapp.co.uk.