2010 has proved to be an exceptional vintage in the southern Rhône and especially Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Among many excellent wines, look for 2010 Domaine La Roquète Châteauneuf-Du-Pape ($49.95). It offers plenty of old vine (50 years) sappiness and density, not to mention terrific length. This should continue to gain in interest and complexity over the next 4-6 years, but has already achieved a fine value-for-money ratio even in this premium price range.
2010 has proved to be an exceptional vintage in the southern Rhône and especially Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Among many excellent wines, look for 2010 Domaine La Roquète Châteauneuf-Du-Pape ($49.95). It offers plenty of old vine (50 years) sappiness and density, not to mention terrific length. This should continue to gain in interest and complexity over the next 4-6 years, but has already achieved a fine value-for-money ratio even in this premium price range
($53) Bright ruby. Raspberry, lavender and spices on the highly perfumed nose and in the mouth. Offers an array of sappy red fruit flavors that put on weight with air and pick up a sexy floral pastille nuance. Fine-grained tannins give shape to a long, floral- and spiceaccented finish. Showing impressive finesse and appeal today, in a vaguely pinot way. 91
Domaine La Roquète is an up-and-coming producer that appears to be doing everything right now that the Brunier family has had full control for over a decade. To date, the 2007s have been their finest offerings, but the 2009s and 2010s are not far behind.
Reveiling a slightly deeper color than the 2009, it possesses more concentration, power and focus along with the vintage’s good acidity, freshness and vibrancy. It should drink well for 15 years.
90-92. Vivid ruby. Sexy aromas of spicy red berries and potpourri, with a hint of smokiness in the background. Juicy and very fresh, offering intense raspberry and cherry flavors given depth by a suggestion of candied licorice. Finishes sappy and long, with resonating florality and Stephen Tanzer\’s International Wine Cellar Page 71 of 83 http://www.wineaccess.com/expert/tanzer/classic.html?content_id=85561 22/01/2012 an echo of red fruit.
magnificent wine. A blend of 70 per cent grenache, 20 per cent syrah and 10 per cent mourvèdre from 45-year-old vines on the Plateau de Pielong, this estate counts the Pignan and Rayas vineyards among its neighbours. It’s quite deep with almost an earthy mushroom and truffle edge to the nose. There are a wealth of ripe berry fruits, some fine, fragrant notes and lovely freshness and lift. It delivers a very forthright palate with sweeping rose and red, dark berry fruit flavour, all laid out on supple, sturdy tannins. It’s really juicy and satisfying, with captivating resolve. A bold and convincing wine.
A perfumy style, this is tangy, with a mulled spice and damson plum profile, laced with taut red licorice and lightly roasted cedar notes. The tangy feel hangs through the sanguine-tinged finish.
Domaine La Roquète is an up-and-coming producer that appears to be doing everything right now that the Brunier family hasz had full control for over a decade. To date, the 2007s have been their finest offerings, but the 2009s abd 2010s are not far behind.
Reveals a Burgundian-like delicacy with notes of spring flowers, sweet cherries, black currants, forest floor and spice. Medium to full-bodied, elegan, pure and well-balanced, it should drink nicely for 12-12 years
91 -Vivid ruby. Dark berries, potpourri and pungent herbs on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy, sweet and vibrant, with impressive clarity to its black raspberry and lavender pastille flavors. Picks up a smoky note with air and finishes with outstanding energy, focus and length. I also had the chance to re-taste the 2008 bottling and it is still a bit bound up, but aeration bring out sweet dark berry fruit and spices. It looks to be on a slow aging curve for the vintage.
Since the Bruniers took over this estate, quality has soared, evidenced by their extraordinary 2007s
Not surprisingly, the 2009 possesses deeper [compared to 2008] black raspberry and black cherry fruit notes intertwined with hints of incense, pepper and spring flowers. Elegant and medium to full-bodied with ripe tannins, it should drink well for 10-12 years.
Bright ruby-red. Pungent, expressive aromas of black raspberry, licorice, spices, nori and tobacco. Round and velvety, supported by a firm tannic spine that helps to shape the hefty dark berry and spice flavors. A late note of bitter cherry carries through a long, spicy and penetrating finish. I like this wine’s blend of density and energy.
Since the Bruniers took over this estate, quality has soared, evidenced by their extraordinary 2007s
Medium to full-bodied, an elegant blend of 70% Grenache, 20% syrah and 10% Mourvèdre) exhibits attractive black cherry and framboise notes, silky tannin and a spicy, elegant personality. A very good effort for the vintage, it is best consumed over the next 5-6 years.
Deep red. Blackberry and cherry on the nose, complicated by floral and earth notes in the background. Juicy and showing plenty of power for the vintage, with dark berry fruit flavors, a smoky nuance and a touch of anise. Ther\’s good fruit intensity and structure here, and the finish is gripping and nicely persistent. This could use a few years of bottle age.
Juicy and long, with lots of plum saude, fig paste and spice bread flavors carried by anise and graphite notes. Shows a twinge of the vintage’s raisined edge, but stays focused and fresh enough. Asolid effort for the vintage. To be released spring 2011. Best from 2012 through 2018. 4700cs made. $50
Juicy and long, with lots of plum sauce, fig paste and spice bread flavors carried by anise and graphite notes. Shows a twinge of the vintage’s raisined edge, but stays focused and fresh enough. A solid effort for the vintage. To be released spring 2011. Best from 2012 through 2018
In the past, La Roquète has had terrible representation, but the proprietors, the Brunier family, recently switched to Kermit Lynch as their importer, so hopefully readers will be able to find this wine in the marketplace. Since the Bruniers took over this estate, quality has soared, evidenced by their extraordinary 2007s.
The elegant medium to full-bodied 2008 exhibits attractive black cherry and framboise notes, silky tannin and a spicy, elegant personality. A very good effort for the vintage. It is best consumed over the next 5-6 years.
15.5 – Beau toucher en bouche, très soyeux, anisé, aucunement opulent mais bien tramé. La longueur s\’étire sur des notes mentholées, dans une certaine « brillance » gustative.
Dark red. Ripe dark berries and cherry on the nose, with deeper notes of plum and licorice coming up with aeration. Rich but surprisingly energetic on the palate, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and good mineral snap. A spicy note adds vivacity to the focused, sappy finish. Showing an elegant personality already. 88-90
rating (90-92) – The 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape is one of the vintage’s strongest wines. It exhibits medium to full body, supple tannins, and sweet framboise and black cherry fruit notes intermixed with flowers and spice box. This front end-loaded Chateauneuf du Pape is ideal for drinking over the next 5-8 years.
Shrewd connoisseurs of Chateauneuf du Pape should be paying attention to what is taking place at La Roquete. This property was acquired by the Brunier family (who also own Vieux Telegraphe) in the mid-eighties, and over the last 4-5 years they have made successful efforts to upgrade the quality dramatically.
Vin d’un domaine appartenant aux frères Brunier, aussi propriétaires du Domaine du Vieux-Télégraphe, assez peu coloré, son séduisant bouquet, aux nuances de fruits rouges, épicé-boisé, mais sans excès aucun, complexe, fait presque… bourgogne! On retrouve en bouche les fruits rouges, sur des tannins veloutés, avec des notes épicées (le bois), et une bonne persistance. Excellent, malgré son importante teneur en alcool.
Nez : plaisant mêlant des arômes explosifs de petits fruits noirs et rouges (cassis, cerise) des notes gourmandes de confiture.
Bouche : attaque ample, une bouche généreuse et moelleuse équilibrée par une belle acidité. Finale dotée de tanins denses, serrés et fermes.
Accords mets et vins : selle de chevreuil aux betteraves.
commentaires : un festival de fruits et de fraîcheur. Merveilleux !!!
Ruby-red. Pungent aromas of blackberry preserves and plum, with licorice and tobacco notes adding complexity. Showing a more serious personality than it did from barrel, offering weighty dark fruit flavors and a velvety texture. Tannins build with air and add grip to the long, smoky finish. This is acting like a 2005 right now. 91
rating 93 – The finest tradition cuvee yet made, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape (70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre aged in foudre and concrete tanks) possesses a deep ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a bouquet of black currants, black cherries, garrigue, pepper, and lavender. It is a full-bodied, ripe, exceptionally elegant, pure wine to drink now or cellar for 12-15 years. Shrewd connoisseurs of Chateauneuf du Pape should be paying attention to what is taking place at La Roquete. This property was acquired by the Brunier family (who also own Vieux Telegraphe) in the mid-eighties, and over the last 4-5 years they have made successful efforts to upgrade the quality dramatically.
14/20. Le vin est coloré, avec des arômes de quetsche prononcés ; ouvert en bouche, il séduit par sa chair ample mais souple, ses tanins déjà fondus.
14 OCT 2009 – JAMES MOLESWORTH – 92 POINTS | $40 | 7,500 CASES MADE – This has gorgeously silky mouthfeel, with layers of blackberry, black cherry and dark plum fruit seamlessly woven with black tea and perfumy pepper and spice notes. The long finish lets the fruit and minerality drip. Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2020.—J.M.
90-93 Deep ruby. Very ripe, exotic aromas of boysenberry, kirsch, olive, garrigue and anise. Broad, fleshy and sweet, offering weighty dark berry compote and spice flavors and gentle tannins. This sexy, velvety wine will drink well young but the concentration to age
15.5 / 17.5 – tous les deux sont vinifiés par la famille Brunier. En cours d’élevage, le domaine de la Roquète se déguste mieux que le domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Si le premier brille par son soyeux et des tanins précis, le Vieux Télégraphe fait ressortir la puissance de La Crau par un fruit très mûr donnant un côté vin doux naturel et un volume impressionnant en bouche.
(90-93) – it boasts beautiful density and purity as well as stunning aromatics and a full-bodied, multi-textured style. The freshness and vibrancy achieved because of the cool, exceptionnally dry growing season is well displayed in the beautiful, almost Burgundian-like perfume, but the wine possesses the strength, power and substance of a southern Rhône. Drink it over the next 15 years.
Le 2006 a un nez frais, épicé, tandis que la bouche est ferme, un rien carrée pour le moment. Le vin est replié sur sa structure avec des tanins saillants. Finale légèrement abrupte, mais belle pureté de fruit. 17/20
90 ($38) Vivid red. Bright red berry, floral and mineral aromas are complicated by smoked meat and herbs. Very fresh on the palate, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors, gentle tannins and good back-end cut. There\’s a pinot-like precision to this wine that\’s really intriguing. Finishes brisk and clear.
15.5-17 – Nez très doux, notes de caoutchouc, chocolat et fruit noir. Corps profond, belle densite, une pointe d’alcool en finale.
90-93 –Deep ruby. The nose offers a seductive bouquet of smoky raspberry and cherry, complemented by fresh flowers and baking spices. Sweet red fruit flavors are accented by licorice and bitter chocolate, and finish with impressive focus and grip. This is strikingly elegant.
16.5 – drink 2016-30 – The Brunier brothers blend from several different terroirs is fresh and lively on the nose with fine, sandy tannins. There’s moderately good punch but it’s overall a little restrained somehow. The tannins are pretty dominant at this stage. Wait. Less impressive than I remember the 2004 being.
89 – from a strong vintage it boasts a deep ruby / purple color followed by beautiful notes of kirsh liqueur, licorice, spring flowers, and a hint of underbrush. Peppery, spicy, elegant, rich, full-bodied, and long, with surprising structure for the vintage, It will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age, and should age well for 15-18 years.
(89-91) – it is a wine of exceptionnal elegance. Revealing plenty of strawberry jam, kirsh, licorice, earth, and flower characteristics, it is a medium to full-bodied, precocious effort with supple tannin, low acidity, and loads of fruit as well as purity. It should drink beautifully for 10-15 years.
TOP 100 2009 – 30 DEC 2008
Stony cherry fruit and a touch of tobacco on the nose here. On the palate a good substance, grippy and with supple fruit. The texture is fairly gentle, fleshy rather than powerful with a good presence in the midpalate carrying through right to the finish. This is measured, with freshness, and it certainly has appeal. 17 /20
88-91 – Bright red. Spicy red berry aromas complicated by subtle tabacco hint. Pure, fresh and racy, with energetic red fruit flavors and a building licorice note. This suave midweight finishes with fine-grained tannins and very good length.
93 – 2500cs imported – $35 – layers of exotic fig, boysenberry and loganberry fruit ripple across the lush, dense structure, while hints of red licorice, linzer torte, mesquite and plum sauce glide through the well-rounded finish. Drink now through 2025
(90-93) – 35$ – Brunier has been trying to raise the level of this estate and has certainly done so in 2004 abd 2005. the 2005 has a deep reby/purple color and a beautiful, sweet nose of ripe Grenache (think kirsh liqueur) along with raspberries, licorice, pepper, and some Provençal spiciness. About 30% stems were used in the making of this wine, and it is both powerful and elegant, with zesty acidity and morderately high tannin. It is an attractive wine that can be drunk early on or cellared for 12-15 years.
91 – $35 – Bright red. Intense red berry aromas are sharpened by dusty floral and mineral qualities. Pretty strawberry and raspberry flavors offer very good depth and refreshing acidity on the close. This is awfully sexy today.
89 – $40 – it exhibits much more tannin, sructure, and a more closed personality than its counterpart in 2006. The wine has a dark ruby/purple-tinged colore (darker than the 2006), a rather firm mouthfeel with more animal characteristics, some dark berry fruit, high tannon, medium to full body, and good acidity. This wine needs to be forgotten for 2-3 years and drunk over the following 15.
TOP 100 ONLINE – JAMES MOLESWORTH –93 – 41st
En 2005, la nature fut d’une grande générosité pour les vignerons du sud de la Vallée du Rhône ; à châteauneuf-du-Pape, nous avons eu notre part du cadeau ; A la Roquète nous avons là un millésime hors du commun: peut-être le meilleur millésime produit depuis notre arrivée en 1986 ; belle profondeur autant en couleur qu’au nez : c’est frais, cerise très mûre, olive verte, réglissé, des arômes plus noirs que rouges. Une bouche onctueuse, généreuse, complexe, c’est net et droit. Les tanins sont sérieux et maîtrisés, on est sur un millésime de garde sans aucun doute, mais dont le côté plaisir reste entier.
The Brunier brothers want to upgrade the Château La Roquète. They institude a luxury cuvée from a specific vineyard called les Pialons next to Rayas. However, the REGULAR 2004 ROQUÈTE has plenty of expressive pepper, smoke herbs, and strawberry and black cherry fruit, good acidity, medium body, and a lush, heady finish with plenty of glycerin and fruit. It is clearly a wine to drink during its first 7-8 yers of life.
88 – Dark red. Spicy cherry and blackberry on the nose, with a subtle dried herb supported by soft tannins. Finishes bright and fresh, with dusty tannins and good predision.
91 – 30$ : high-toned at first, with cherry and floral aromas, this quickly shows more density through, with layers of black currant and graphite along with taut, sinewy tannins that drive the finish. Drink now through 2017. 7500cs made
89 – 35$ Brunier has been trying to raise the level of this estate and has certainly done so in 2004 abd 2005. The 2004 exhibits good sweet kirsh liqueur notes intermixed with some licorice, spring flowers, and earth. Medium-bodied and elegant with sweet tannin, it should drink well for a decade or more.
Le 2003 est épicé, avec des notes de fenouil, de réglisse, une belle palette aromatique, sans la chaleur du millésime. La bouche commence à se patiner, mais il reste encore beaucoup d\’énergie dans ce vin qui se montre toujours un rien saillant mais de belle facture. A besoin de temps pour s\’épanouir. 16.5 / 20
Voici une appellation bien difficile à cerner. Avec ses 13 cépages permis dans l’assemblage suivant le bon vouloir du vinificateur, le Châteauneuf-du-Pape est toujours différent d’une maison à l’autre. Celui-ci se présente avec de beaux arômes de fruits mûrs au nez. La bouche par contre est plus difficile à comprendre car les tanins couvrent encore le fruit. Mais à l’aération, on perçoit des notes de tabac. Encore austère, s’il évolue comme le 2001, on aura là une très belle bouteille
This has aged gracefully, with a sleek, silky feel to the red currant, damson plum, cherry eau-de-vie and blood orange notes, backed by light shadings of clove and charred apple wood on the finish. Picks up a little grip as it opens, but this is pretty much ready to go. 2001 Châteauneuf-du-Pape non-blind retrospective (November 2011). Drink now through 2015. 7,915 cases made. Release price: $25 | Current price: $25.
An older wine here, from before the estate was renamed Roquète. An interesting nose, certainly evolved in keeping with this wine\’s maturity, with hints of tea leaf and liquorice. A fresh composition on the palate, supple and certainly mature with hints of undergrowth alongside the very evolved fruit, but not without good substance. This is really appealing, and is ready now. 17.5/20