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2009 Domaine Poulleau Pere & Fils Cote de Beaune Les Mondes Rondes

Burgundy, FRANCE
$29. 99
Bottle
$359.88 Dozen
Cellar: 4 - 5 Years (2015-2016)
ABV: 12.5%
Closure: Cork

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. Domaine Poulleau is a 4.5 ha estate located in Volnay with land holdings on the Cote de Beaune appellation producing the "Les Mondes Rondes" cuvee. The appellation is a namesake of the wider Burgundian sub-region, and can therefore easily be mistaken with the Cote de Beaune Villages AOC. It is indeed different to the latter, as only wines produced on the higher part of the hills behind Beaune are allowed to bear the name (sans Villages AOC), ocasionaly with the name of a ‘Climat’ or ‘Lieux-Dits’. The area sits above the Premier Crus of Beaune at an altitude of 300m to 370m. "Les Mondes Rondes" is at the heart of the appellation and the estate’s vines for this wine are an average of 25 years old. Tasting note....
Semi translucent dark crimson red colour with crimson mauve hue showing good depth. The nose displays youthful but perfumed aromas of black cherry and dark plum with a meaty overlay followed by some spice and a hint of earth as end notes. Light to medium weight the palate is quite spicy with flavours of dark cherry and plum followed by some meaty earth like characters. Good power wave which should continue to build with some bottle age. Very fine grained tannins with medium to long aftertaste of dark cherry, spice and dried meat.
Cellar 4-5 years (2015-2016)
Alc 12.5%

 Click here to see more sensational 2009 Burgundies.