2009 Dom Grand Veneur Cuvée Les Origines Châteauneuf

I couldn't be more thrilled with the wine I'm presenting today. Hailing from one of my favorite regions and from an outstanding vintage, this intense red blend is from a producer that receives praise from every corner: Domaine Grand Veneur. Indeed, Robert Parker recently gushed that "Grand Veneur is one of the most brilliant estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Virtually everything they produce has merit." I would have to agree. Grand Veneur can be counted on for powerful and meticulous wines that rarely disappoint.

Founded in 1826 by Mathieu Jaume, Domaine Veneur came under the direction of Alain Jaume in 1979. Now joined by his two sons, Sébastien and Christophe, Alain Jaume continues to manage Grand Veneur along with his Southern Rhône négociant label, eponymously named Alain Jaume, also frequently praised for its consistent and undervalued quality.

Les Origines is a blend of 50 percent Grenache, 30 percent Mourvèdre, and 20 percent Syrah from a special selection of 70-year-old vines located in the northern Châteauneuf area.

The 2009 vintage was stellar. A warm, dry season produced ripe, richly fruited wines with firm tannins that are integrating nicely with age. Only 1,500 cases of the 2009 Les Origines were produced and most were presold before arrival in the U.S. If you are a fan of Châteauneuf wines, don't pass up this opportunity to secure a high-scoring wine from a great vintage and exceptional producer before it disappears.

Tasting Note
This wine has an impressively concentrated, dark ruby color and a vibrant magenta edge. On the nose, intense aromas of black plums, baking spices and smoke are immediately apparent. This is a powerful Châteauneuf-du-Pape, reflecting the magnitude of the highly praised 2009 vintage. Flavors are rich and tightly bound, leading with blackberry and plum notes. Following the intense fruit attack, subtle savory flavors take over, spanning smoke and game. Tannins are firmer in Les Origines than in most Châteauneufs, reflecting the high percentage of Mourvèdre in the cépage (a whopping 30 percent).

This wine is built to last and will benefit from either several years in the cellar or a handful of hours in a decanter. Pair it with grilled or roast lamb or game, and enjoy a match made in heaven.

—Nicole Niebisch

Nicole Niebisch has worked in the wine industry for the past decade. She started in New York restaurants as a sommelier and, prior to joining Lot18, spent five years working for Folio Fine Wine Partners, an importer and producer of wines from several of the world's top regions. Nicole holds certificates from the Society of Wine Educators and the American Sommelier Association, and the Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Read more about Nicole here, or follow her on Twitter.