2009 Rhone en primeur: Dom Roger Sabon

17/02/11

"Sabon and son-in-law Didier Negron hit pay dirt in 2009" - Robert Parker

One of my favourite producers - based on a Cellartracker printout of my stock - and in 2009 receiving considerable critical acclaim for their wines - across the board.

Together, Jean-Jacques Sabon and son-in-law Didier Negron may aim for a big style, but it's balanced by elegance. The Prestige contains a portion of white grapes - Didier's favourite is a hint of Muscardin for complexity. Secret is a monolithic heaven for Grenache mavens, Olivets is herby, soft and smooth. They really are a Grenache-dominated domaine: there aren't hectares of exotic Mourvedre at this address. The traditional shape to these wines is given a twist by the small amounts of the other grape varieties they use, but winemaking from destemmed grapes and long macerations gives weight, fruit and tannin to the wine, while great winegrowing retains the freshness - either from acidity in 2008, or mineral and terroir in years like 2009.

We have worked with Jean-Jacques and Didier for years now, and found the standards here to be both impeccably high and entirely consistent. In every respect and at every level, Sabon is a domaine to own and drink, not watch. /CW

View all 2009 Rhones listed so far

Thursday 24 February
2009 Rhone barrel sample tasting at our Bishopsgate shop, 12-8pm, walkaround, £25 per person inc VAT (redeemable against 2009 Rhone en primeur purchases)

Offered subject to remaining unsold for shipment winter 2011/12