Wine Advisor
Marcoux, Chateauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2009
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the H2Vin Rhone tasting in London. The Vieilles Vignes has more lift and attack than the regular cuvee. It is very focused with Morello, crushed strawberry intermingling with white fennel and white pepper aromas. The palate is sweet and forward on the entry with high-toned red-berried fruits interlaced with white pepper and garrigues. Meanwhile the finish is long and caressing. This should age with style. Tasted February 2011.
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
Just a touch darker in color than the traditional cuvee, the blockbuster 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a big, full-bodied and concentrated beauty that's overflowing with Provencal notes of cured meats, garrigue, licorice, black cherries and crushed rock. Thick and unctuous on the palate, it has put on weight since release, and the tannin is also sweeter and more polished, all suggesting it will have a long life. This is a gorgeous Chateauneuf du Pape!
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A tiny amount (300 cases) of 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes has been produced. Nearly 100% Grenache made from extremely low yields and aged in stainless steel as well as in the triangular wood cuves called tronconique, it is a deep, rich, full-bodied effort with lots of black raspberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with notions of spring flowers, licorice, pepper and garrigue. This cuvee is produced from the estate’s three oldest parcels in La Crau, Gallimardes and Esquirons, and is capable of lasting 20-25 years, although the 2009 probably has a 12-18 year window of drinkability. (Not yet released) This estate has been long run with great attention to detail and passion by the Armenier sisters, Sophie and Catherine. One of the oldest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape (records go back to the 14th century), the vineyards are biodynamically farmed at this small, 42-acre property. The Armenier sisters’ newest acquisition is the Domaine de la Lorentine in the up and coming appellation of Lirac. This wine gets better with each vintage as they get to know the vineyard. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes displays the telltale blue and black fruit jamminess that this wine often has, with a voluptuous mouthfeel and wonderful notes of incense, truffle, pepper and forest floor. There is always a floral quality that goes with the blueberry and black raspberry fruit in this wine. Dense and rich, it is probably a tad less concentrated than the 2010, but very close in quality. This wine should drink well for at least 20+ years. Given the fact that the Armenier family can trace their roots in Chateauneuf du Pape back to 1344, one could say that they may have even more experience than the Chaves up in the northern Rhone, which only go back to the late 15th century! Run for well over a decade now by sisters, Sophie and Catherine, this biodynamically administered estate of 42 acres produces some of the very finest, complex, and most natural wines not only in France, but anywhere in the world. Perhaps the wine that is most under the radar for consumers is their brilliant white Chateauneuf du Pape. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
The gorgeous 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is in magnificent shape at age ten. It exhibits a bit of meatiness on the nose, joining those savory notes to notes of spice cake and plum. Full-bodied and amazingly plush and rich, it shows incredible complexity, adding notes of star anise and allspice to the mix on the lingering, elegant finish. It's a voluptuous beauty that should continue to drink well for another decade or so.
About the Producer
Chateau Marco has 17.5 hectares of vineyards that are biodynamically cultivated. The average age of the vines is 50 years, and some of the older vines are even more than 100 years old. These old vines grow on 2.3 hectares of gravel land and are the raw material for the production of Domaine de Marcoux Vieille Vignes. Marco Winery operates according to the traditional method. After the grapes are harvested, the grapes are individually destemmed, sorted and then fermented in stainless steel tanks for 3 weeks. Among them, the malo-lactic fermentation process also takes place in the tank. After that, the wine is aged for 16 to 18 months in stainless steel tanks or large oak barrels. Chateau Marco produces 3 Châteauneuf du Pape reds and 2 white Châteauneufs, as well as some Cotes du Rhone wines. Château de Pape Marco is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and a few other varieties. The Domaine de Marcoux Ephemere is made from 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, and is a semi-new wine made by sisters Catherine and Sophie. The origin of this wine was purchased in 2002, and the first vintage was 2003. Made from 100% Grenache, Marco Old Vine Special Wine is one of the top wines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. It has an amazing style and is extremely enticing, with a pure and wonderful fruity aroma. This wine is expensive and hard to get in the market.
