March 17, 2012
Brilliant Winery, Brilliant Vintage, Brilliant Sale:
Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres 2009 ($79.95) $44 vinopolflash special SOLD OUT
Case-12 Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres 2009 $499 vinopolflash special ($41.59 / bottle) SOLD OUT
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Bright red. Very fresh and intensely aromatic, projecting scents of red berries, lavender and spices, along with a hint of white pepper. Juicy and incisive, offering nervy strawberry and raspberry flavors lifted by a zesty spice nuance. This silky, seamless, lithe Chateauneuf finishes with impressive clarity and snap and might well pass for a ripe New World pinot noir.”
lowest listed price elsewhere in USA is $65.99/ bottle
Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Quartz 2009 ($99.95) $66 vinopolflash special SOLD OUT
Case-12 Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Quartz 2009 $744 vinopolflash special ($62 / bottle) SOLD OUT
Robert Parker 94 points “The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from one of the appellation’s more obscure lieu-dits. This stunning 2009 offers copious floral notes intermixed with crushed rock, wet stone, kirsch and black currant characteristics.”
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Heady, complex bouquet evokes red and dark berry compote, lavender, sandalwood and minerals, with a lashing of Asian spices. Sappy and alluringly sweet on the palate, displaying intense raspberry and mulberry flavors and slow-building florality. Shows impressive power on the finish, where the lavender and spice notes carry through.”
average listed price in USA is $94/ bottle
Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve 2009 ($179.95) $109 vinopolflash special SOLD OUT
Case-12 Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve 2009 $1199 vinopolflash special (-$100 / bottle) SOLD OUT
Robert Parker 94 points “Intense, full-bodied and opulent, it is presently as rich, powerful and promising as their top luxury cuvee, the dense purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve. The latter wine normally towers above the other two cuvees, but it is also more backward because 40% of the blend is split between Mourvedre and Syrah aged in new oak casks and the balance of 60% Grenache is aged in 600-liter demi-muids. Its deep purple color is followed by expansive, broad, sweet kirsch and black raspberry fruit notes intermixed with hints of licorice, graphite and spice box. Full-bodied with terrific purity as well as an attractive earthy, truffle, meaty character, it is much more evolved and forward than most vintages tend to be as this cuvee often needs 8-10 years of bottle age in the more tannic, backward years. However, that is not the case with this 2009 Reserve. It should drink well for 15+ years.”
Josh Raynolds 94 points “(60% grenache and 40% mourvedre): Bright ruby-red. Pungent, assertive aromas of candied red fruits, cola, incense and potpourri, with a hint of vanilla in the background. Stains the palate with deep raspberry and cherry flavors and becomes spicier with air. Supple tannins lend shape to the extremely long, sweet, penetrating finish. This is still a baby.”
lowest listed price elsewhere in USA is $165/ bottle