2009 Rhone en primeur: Vieux Telegraphe

09/02/11

"2009 is an excellent vintage in the south" - Robert Parker

The good things in life don't always come easily and the great things can be tough to achieve. And so it was with the 2009 vintage in the Rhone valley.

2009 seems to be embedding itself in the popular consciousness as a northern Rhone year, but in fact the better southern Rhone producers turned in 5-star homework as well. This was a year of hard work, detail and fine judgement for growers and (perhaps especially) in the cellars. There are a lot of similarities with Burgundy. In both regions the secret was in light extraction after a dry season and a last minute heatwave left grapes with concentration aplenty and thick skins. Like Burgundy, too, the 'tradition' wines - equivalent to village ones in Burgundy - are some of the best value, most elegant and balanced. We have tasted a few of these already and are impressed by their deftness, balance and versatility.

But don't just take our word for it. On Sunday week we're heading south to collect the freshest possible juice to bring you a tasting of barrel samples - from both north and south - back here in Exchange Arcade. And in a series of offers over the next few weeks we will be turning the spotlight on some of our favourite producers. What better way to kick off than with Vieux Telegraphe, an Uncorked stalwart and a reference point Chateauneuf for the magisterial wines of La Crau? /CW

View all 2009 Rhones listed so far

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

Offered subject to remaining unsold for shipment winter 2011/12