2009 Saint Prefert Chateauneuf Charles Giraud

Displaying a denser ruby/purple hue, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Collection Charles Giraud comes from the sector of Chateauneuf du Pape known as Cristia (whose soils contain a lot of sand as well as the famous small boulders and rocks known as the Galets Roules). Composed of 60% Grenache (from 80-year-old vines) and 40% Mourvedre (from 60-year-old vines), this wine is aged in 3-year-old 600-liter demi-muids. In 2007, this was one of the most monumental wines I have ever tasted, and the 2009, while not comparable, is a gorgeous offering that is unquestionably one of the stars of the vintage. It boasts a dark ruby/purple hue as well as impressive aromas of roasted meats, beef blood, forest floor, black currants and kirsch. The complex aromatics are followed by a dense, rich, full-bodied wine that will benefit from 1-2 years of cellaring, and last for 10-15 years. 92-94 points