2010 - An Excellent Vintage at Domaine Pierre Gonon!

9/12/12 -

Our last shipment of Saint-Joeph from Domaine Pierre Gonon, surely one of the finest and most traditional estates in the Northern Rhône, has just arrived. 2010 is a great vintage in the Northern Rhône and we urge those of you who missed it last spring to take advantage of the superb quality and value of this wine. The Gonon's vineyard work is superb and they have great sites on steep slopes in Tournon, Mauves and St Jean de Muzols, including old vines of Raymond Trollat. The grapes are partially de-stemmed depending on the vintage but generally the old-vine fruit is not de-stemmed. The barrels used are 2 to 10 years old, there is no over-extraction or manipulation. We're very proud to be working with Jean and Pierre Gonon, whose personalities are reflected in their superb wines. (And prices here are reasonable, as shown in our case price of $29.69 per bottle!

2010 is a good vintage, according to Jean. "There were two weeks of rain in May and again in June and we began to think of 2008, but then came north winds and generally good weather in July and August, without too much heat. The grapes ripened slowly and we picked under good conditions in late September - a small harvest with thick-skinned grapes, well-balanced, giving wines that will keep." Notes from the cellar in February 2011:
Young vines in Tournon, steep slope; Nose closed, medium-bodied black fruits, very earthy, supple fruit in the finish.
Les Oliviers, clay over granit, 35 to 40 year-old vines; Dense, deep black fruits, great freshness, long, well-structured, super!
Lieu-dit "Aubert" in St. Jean de Muzols, rich in iron 50 to 70 year-old vines (Trollat); Floral, very fresh black fruits, bright acidity, deep, lovely!
Trollat parcel, 90 year-old vines; Subtle aromas, very fine, deep, dark, good acidity, seems like 1991!

Tasted from bottle end January 2012; Lovely red/black fruit aromas, very pure, the palate is dark and deep but not fat. Very fresh, even a little severe on the palate but wonderfully ripe and fresh at the same time, great balance. {Arriving in December will be the 2007 Vieilles Vignes which Jean thinks is finally ready to ship (although he doesn't seem happy about making this wine), a tiny amount of Vin de Table Chasselas from 80 year-old vines belonging to Trollat, the 2011 St. Joeph Blanc and the great value Vin de Pays Les Iles Feray.}