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What We Say 2009 'Laudun' Côtes du Rhône Villages Blanc
EXCLUSIVE WINE ALERT:
Through a very special arrangement, we are able to bring you this wine which is generally not imported into the U.S. Market. If you are a fan of Rhone classics, this is a wine that you’ll truly enjoy at your next tasting.
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Mission Codename: Camp de César
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Acquire an exclusive allocation of a very special Côtes du Rhône Villages Blanc
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Domaine Pierre-Henri Morel
Wine Subject: 2009 ‘Laudun’ Côtes du Rhône Villages
Winemaker: Pierre-Henri Morel
Backgrounder: In the Côtes du Rhône Villages is a very special place that sits on top of the plateau between the communes of Domazan, Estézargues, Rochefort-du-Gard and Saze. Not technically a village, a hameau or even a climat, just a special place that is known for fantastic grapes. One of the original four villages is Laudun which stretches up a steep limestone hill, which heavily influences the aromas and flavors of the wines. At the top is a Roman camp called the Camp de Camp de César. The whites from this region are predominantly Grenache Blanc along with other local grapes like Bourboulenc as is the case with this wine.
Through a very special arrangement, we are able to bring you an exclusive allocation of this wine that is generally not imported into the United States.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Crystal clear pale straw yellow with a clear core. When swirled, this bright wine settles quickly and leaves fat-headed but thin tailed legs that descend at random speeds to the wine below.
Smell – Bright citrus fruit including a mix of lemon and tart tangerine along with white peach leads the way with a healthy does of web stone minerality. Soft notes of spice, white flowers and a hint wild anise also emerges as this wine opens.
Feel – Bright, fresh and crisp, this medium-bodied dry wine has lively acidity and minerality on the initial attack that softens at mid palate. The acidity returns as this wine lingers into the finish.
Taste – Soft citrus, white peach and other citrus and tree fruit flavors are framed by a textured mineral feel and taste and a touch of spice. The fruit flavors of this wine are muted and the spice and minerality grows at mid-palate and lasts long into the finish.
Finish – Clean and medium-long in length with the spice and minerality persisting as the tart citrus and tree fruit fades leaving behind a crisp acidity that invites another sip.
Conclusion – The 2009 Domaine Pierre-Henri Morel ‘Laudun’ Côtes du Rhône Villages is a distinct and unique white blend that is both restrained in its fruit and lively in its minerality and acidity. This combination makes this a great wine to pair with shell-fish. Enjoy this wine now or cellar for a couple years. Be sure to give this wine time to open and don’t serve it too cold, as this will mask its aromas and flavors. This wine is a lovely alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The approximate location of the Laudun region can be seen in this satellite photo between the communes of Domazan, Estézargues, Rochefort-du-Gard and Saze.
What the Winery Says
Domaine Pierre-Henri Morel
About The Wine:
Characteristic overtones of white fruits and blossoms (lemon-tree, bush peach) and notes of aniseed and mineral aromas (flint). The attack is fresh, suave and mineral. This wine exhibits a great length and persistence with an iodized finish. We appreciate this wine with red mullets fillets and candied tomatoes.
About The Winery:
Founded in 2007 by Michel Chapoutier and Pierre-Henri Morel, the winery produces high-end wines from the Southern Rhône Valley. Pierre-Henri Morel focuses on small parcels with great terroir identity to produce small volumes of high quality grenache, syrah and mourvèdre. The heart of the house is Châteauneuf-du-Pape where the winery owns 4 hectares (Pignan, Bois Dauphin, Cabrières and Palestor).
The wines are made by the Chapoutier’s team but in the spirit of what Mr Morel likes – in the Burgundy style…
Pierre Henri Morel produces five different wines, all from the south part of the Rhone Valley (Meridional part). Two Chateauneuf du Pape are produced along with a Gigondas, a Signargues and a Laudun white. The first Chateauneuf du Pape comes from old vines from the “Pignan” area – next to the famous “Rayas” parcel.
As of the Chapoutiers’s wines, the domaine started to farm these parcels in a natural way, without pesticides, added ingredients in order to reach the “bio” certification in a few years time.
One of the key fact of this domain is their wish to make wines that really respects the typical expression of some of the most beautiful parcels of vines in the Southern Rhone.
The result is simply astonishing with wines that are very precise and mineral – made really much in a Burgundian way.
All the wines are produced in very tiny quantities with no more than about 250 cases of each available every year. This is one of the most promising estates of the Rhone Valley.
Technical Analysis:
Varietals: 70% Grenache and 30% Bourboulenc.
Alcohol: 13.5%
