Proprietor Jean-Paul Dauman produced nearly 20,000 bottles of his brilliant 2009 Cotes du Rhone Clavin. Composed of 80% Grenache and the rest Cinsault, Mourvedre and Syrah, it comes from very old vines and is aged completely in foudre. The wine's dark ruby/purple color is followed by complex aromatics of cassis, licorice, forest floor, pepper and spice. Deep, rich and full-bodied for a Cotes du Rhone, it possesses silky tannins and enough density to evolve for 4-5 years.
(Not yet released)
Dauman, as well as a number of other producers, told me that 2009 was a far more challenging vintage than what was reported by the general wine press. The extreme drought conditions created many difficulties for achieving full maturity in the Grenache vineyards, and when the rains did arrive, it was too little, too late, for some terroirs that were stressed by the lack of precipitation. Interestingly, Dauman produced a Reserve bottling in 2009, which will be a candidate for -the wine of the vintage.-
P.S. In 2010, Jean-Paul Dauman is starting a small negociant operation for which he will buy the fruit. He will produce a vin de pays as well as wines from Lirac and Gigondas. This is good news for consumers.
A Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300 and Diamond Wine Merchant, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897
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