| Score: |
90 JG.
"The 2009 Châteauneuf du Pape from Domaine Pierre André is plenty ripe . . . but it avoids the overripe aromatics and flavors, as well as the new wood, of so many wines in this region these days. The deep, ripe and powerful nose wafts from the glass in a youthful blend of baked cherries, fruitcake, coffee, garrigue, a nice base of sandy soil tones, hung game and pepper. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very well-balanced . . . with a rock solid core of fruit, ripe tannins, no signs of heat and a long, chewy and still quite primary finish. This is good, old school Châteauneuf that needs some time in the cellar to blossom . . . . I like the style of this wine a lot . . . . all in all, good juice." View From the Cellar, John Gilman Jul/Aug 2013, Issue #46 |