2009 Domaine Chapelle et Fils Santenay Clos des Cornieres

2009 Burgundy. Believe the Hype!
It’s said in Burgundy that vintages finishing in ‘9’ are always outstanding, but 2009 seems to have set a new benchmark. Overall, it is a "Solar" year, fully ripened and abundant - in fact the second biggest harvest after 1999. As in other parts of France, comparisons with 2005 are apt. But there are definite characteristics that set 2009 apart. It began with a severe winter, assuring the vines would well and truly be in a state of dormancy. The late Spring finally arrived in April and delivered above average maximum temperatures with significant fluctuations throughout the month. Flowering started in the second half of May. The earliest sectors of Burgundy enjoyed homogenous and rapid flowering, however, others dragged into June, with some uneven fruit set (coulure and millerandage), primarily due to several dramatic temperature swings. Early July storms brought some much needed water relieving the hydric deficit. But the rain was also a potential catalyst for disease, with sporadic hailstorms only heightening anxieties. Then summer arrived to assuage everyone’s worries. Conditions settled. Clear skies and good heat restored a sanitary state to the vines. Ripening (veraison) took place in ideal conditions, which carried into harvest time and beyond, only interrupted by a minor rainfall (certainly nothing to spoil the dream scenario). The true challenge in 2009 was to monitor acidity, with an early September harvest maintaining good tension in the wines. By then, vignerons across Burgundy were already summing up the vintage with understated excitement. Observations like, “The Chardonnay was harder than usual to press due to the thick skins” suggested the fruit was both pristine and promising terrific flavour concentration; while “...the extraordinary ease with which colour was extracted from the reds” was not merely a favourable result, but a herald of coming greatness. 2009’s reputation was sealed at the press. If you are a "Pinot Noir" drinker who hasn't discovered the birth place of this famous varietal - no question, 2009 will be an ‘introduction to red Burgundy par excellence’.
Almost two years on, the resulting wines are expressive and already seductive. Seasoned Burgundy lovers will appreciate their approachability (and price), as even the modest appellations have produced wines of a high calibre. We have tasted dozens of samples and, like you, we’re most interested in those wines with optimum PFM (Pleasure For Money) ratios - notoriously difficult to find in Burgundy - which is why these wines won’t last long. This offering on our 2009 Burgundy journey is from Santenay, 20 km south of Beaune, where the Domaine Chapelle has been based since 1893. The "Clos des Cornieres" is located half way on the slopes of Santenay, right below the Premier Crus on a mixture of sandy and limestone-clays soils. In 2002, proprietor Jean-Philippe Chapelle began the organic certification process (even though he is an adept of organics, working with the principles since 1991). Vintage 2009 marks the first year when all the wines of the estate are certified organic. Tasting note....
Semi translucent, slightly cloudy crimson red colour with mauve hue. Aromas of violets, spice, sour cherry and cedar. Light to medium weight the palate flavours are quite generous with dark cherry and spice followed by some dark raspberry and earthy cedar back palate characters. Very fine grained soft almost velvet like tannins. Good depth with aftertaste of dark cherry, spice and earthy cedar.
Drink over the next 3-4 years (2011-2015)
Alc 13.0%

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