Rhône 2008 tasting notes – A-L

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See Rhône 2008 coverage – a guide for a brief introduction and links to related articles, including the second tranche of tasting notes M–V and the final tranche of Chave, Clos des Papes, Guigal and Rayas. The wines are listed alphabetically by producer (sur)name, white wines before reds (although in future we will probably publish reds and whites in separate articles to make things clearer).


PIERRE AMADIEU

Pierre Amadieu, La Grangelière 2008 Vacqueyras

Brownish crimson. Simple herby fruits – not trying too hard. Very opulent and sweet. Easy stuff – and actually very like a competent Châteauneuf. It fills the mouth with fruit and spice. Neat finish, not too dry. Quite appetising. But a bit light overall.
Drink
2011
2015
16

Pierre Amadieu, Grand Reserve 2008 Gigondas

Deep purple crimson. Very bright. Lively and fresh and tarry – very dense. Serious tight stuff with no excess of acidity and tannins set for the long term. Quite unusual in the context of 2008.
Drink
2011
2016
17

Pierre Amadieu, Domaine Grand Romane 2008 Gigondas

Blueish purple. Very polished nose. Sweet, with a foxglove nose – not for purists but this is a wine that a lot of effort has gone into to tame it. Wait a while and it may surprise those with a prejudice against 2008s. Just not porty.
Drink
2013
2017
16.5 +

DOMAINE DES AMOURIERS

Dom des Amouriers, Signature 2008 Vacqueyras

Very dark purplish crimson. Looks very young. Aromatic, peppery, seems very Syrah but nothing underripe on the nose. Sweet and juicy and reasonably subtle though it’s pretty drying on the finish. A little tarry on the finish.
Drink
2011
2014
16

ARNOUX ET FILS

Arnoux et Fils, Jean-Marie Arnoux 2008 Vacqueyras

Very dark crimson. Savoury at the same time as being juicy, sweet and appealing. Interesting top notes and real polish. Slightly animal. Fades just a little fast. Really quite light but much juicier than most Vacqueyras 2008s. They are négociants but with quite a bit of good vineyard themselves.
Drink
2010
2015
Direct Wines and Grape Expectations, US
17 -

PAUL AUTARD

Paul Autard, La Côte Ronde 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Bright crimson with a pale rim. Remarkably little nose. Sweet, easy, red cherry fruit but no real punch and very drying tannins on the finish. A little like the Juline in its lack of ambition.
Drink
2012
2015
15.5

Paul Autard, Juline 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Ripe and surprisingly exotic rather than raisined or pruney. Lovely fruit and oak spice and bramble flavours. Sweet oak spice and vanilla on the palate but good fruit depth under that and fine grained but present tannins. (JH)
Drink
2012
2017
17

Paul Autard, La Côte Ronde 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Ripe red cherry fruit and brighter and fresher on the nose than the straight Châteauneuf. Scented and peppery. Silky and fresh on the mid palate, lightly spiced and juicy. A fine grip and harmony for good evolution. (JH)
Drink
2011
2016
16.5 +

Paul Autard 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Very ripe prune notes and a light meaty aroma. Similarly ripe on the palate but retains freshness somehow in the mouth. Smooth textured already. Rich for the vintage. (JH)
Drink
2011
2014
16

LA BARROCHE

La Barroche, Signature 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Lively crimson colour. Pretty ripe with a hint of animal. Mourvèdre? (Apparently 20% of this cuvée is made up of Mourvedre...) Sweet and full and opulent and just a tiny bit over the top. Round and full though it’s mainly upfront sweetness rather than real complex undertow.
Drink
2011
2016
16.5

LA BASTIDE ST-DOMINIQUE

La Bastide St-Dominique 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Bright, dark crimson. Quite dramatic black cherry aromas with a fine fizz. Vigorous and not excessively counter to the vintage character. Very clean and pure with lots of fine tannin tucked in at the end.
Drink
2012
2016
16.5

LA BASTIDE ST-VINCENT

La Bastide St-Vincent 2008 Gigondas

Reasonably ripe nose, and then lots of gas. Simple, fresh, fruity red for early drinking. Medium body, it fades quite fast.
Drink
2010
2013
15

La Bastide St-Vincent, Pavane 2008 Vacqueyras

Unoaked, from 40-year-old vines – 70% Grenache.
Dark, comfortable crimson. Mild and gentle and on the nose with some evolution. Thick and sweet yet with some life and the impression that this was a ripe vintage! This lacks a bit of funkiness of the appellation but it is really made to please – and should not age too fast.
Drink
2011
2016
Fields, Morris & Verdin and Vigneron Imports, CA
17 +

CH DE BEAUCASTEL

Perrin et Fils, Les Cornuds 2008 Vinsobres

Deep crimson. Sweet and fragrant red fruit. Very inviting aromas but also a little cedary and herbal, dusty. Dry and slightly chalky tannins. Elegantly textured in a lighter mode. Refined but just a little green on the finish, though it adds freshness. (JH)
Drink
2010
2013
16

Perrin et Fils, La Gille 2008 Gigondas

Red cherry fruit, linctus-like but pure and aromatic. Dry, slightly chalky fine tannins. Not especially long but harmonious and fresh on the finish. (JH)


Drink
2011
2014
16

Ch de Beaucastel, Vieilles Vignes Roussanne 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

A little smoky and just a hint of almonds. Quite held back at the moment. Rich, mouthfilling and extremely oaky, almost sweet with the oak. Lovely almond and citrus intensity, warm finish. Long. Needs a little time for the oak to subside. Just enough freshness for the weight. (JH)
Drink
2011
2014
17

Ch de Beaucastel 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Mid straw/pale gold. Honey, putty and interest on the nose. Lots of acidity and spritz. Very charming and competent. Rather sprightlier than most white Châteauneuf. Quite persistent.
Drink
2009
2012
16.5

Ch de Beaucastel 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

One of the deepest crimsons of the lot. Funky nose with buckwheat and vegetation, then rather severe strict medicinal aromas. Very tough tannins on the finish. Pretty dramatic and tight.
Drink
2012
2016
16.5

BEAUCHÊNE


BEAURENARD

Dom de Beaurenard 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Deep straw. Not much nose but the promise of something rather beguiling eventually and a nice texture. Wait for flavour to emerge from what is already a promising package.
Drink
2010
2012
16 +

BENEDETTI

Benedetti 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Pale straw. Some honeysuckle appeal on the nose. Very tight on the finish – even a little smoky. On an international basis, this is a nicely made wine, but it doesn’t have THAT much Châteauneuf character to it. Medium finish with just a hint of quinine on the finish.
Drink
2010
2012
16.5

Benedetti 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Mid brownish crimson. A slight suggestion of oxidation on this sample. Very sweet and taken to the limit with what seems like some oak in evidence.  Super sweet. And with quite a bit of alcohol. Suitable for those who like knock-out drops! Very burly.
Drink
2012
2015
16

Benedetti, Les Larmes Papales 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Lightish and looks very evolved. Already ruby with some development at the rim. Evolved, lightly spicy nose. Already lots of fun here – a hint of treacle toffee plus transparency and Blackpool rock. Really satisfying though I suspect there is a heck of a lot of alcohol... Long and sinewy. Complete. But you could certainly reproach it for being too forward. And as for these papal names...
Drink
2011
2016
17.5 +

DOMAINE BERTHET-RAYNE

Berthet-Rayne 2008 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Mid cherry red with some lustre. Neat and fresh, super-clean fruit. Dense and thick and easy – very confident, even if not very complex. Somehow gets the appetite going. But pretty simple overall.
Drink
2012
2016
16.5

DOMAINE DU BOIS DES MÈGES

Dom du Bois des Mèges 2008 Gigondas

Dark crimson with lustrous highlights.  Tastes a little oaky on the nose. But it’s rather appetising! There is lift here. The very characteristic fruit of Gigondas has been given a rather international élevage and the result is very pleasing. Dry finish but I really like the ethereal nature of this. Not too heavy or thick. Lip smacking, and definitely Gigondas – even if rather a sophisticated version.
Drink
2012
2017
16.5

DOMAINE DU BOIS...