Producer
The name Vaudieu originated from ‘Vallée de Dieu’ (Valley of God), a reference to the beauty of the area.
The Château is a splendid 18th Century property, once owned by the négociant Gabriel Meffre, and now run by his grandson, Laurent Bréchet. Over the past seven years, Laurent has transformed the estate through substantial investment and an obsession with quality. This is now starting to bear fruit and will yield even higher dividends in the years to come.
As at Vaudieu in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Laurent Bréchet has extended his commitment to quality to Domaine des Bosquets, his 25 hectares of vineyards in the Gigondas appellation, at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains. Laurent has identified three different terroirs, which add to the potential for different ripeness levels and fruit characters.
Vineyards
Situated northeast of the town, the vineyards are those of Château Rayas. Spread over 70 hectares (60 of red, 10 of white), the soils vary greatly, from sand to quartz (galets) and clay/limestone outcrops. This diversity of soil and exposure adds complexity to the blend, with the fruit from the sandier soil lending aromatic elegance and that from the galets giving power and intensity. The vines are over 60 years old in age and so the fruit attains incredible levels of concentration.
Vintage Information
Spring of 2009 was fresh with good levels of rainfall to replenish the natural water reserves in this otherwise dry region. The summer was hot and dry giving excellent, deeply coloured grapes, powerful flavours and ripe tannins, meaning this is a very good vintage, suitable for long term ageing if required.
Vinification
The fruit was hand picked, then destemmed and crushed before fermentation at 28-30°C in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Natural yeasts were used with regular delestages and gentle pumping over the cap during the fermentation process. Ageing took place in stainless steel tank to retain the maximum freshness of fruit.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby red in colour, with a black cherry core. This wine has lively berry fruits on the nose, with a touch of liquorice and a hint of black pepper. The 2009 is full of fruit, juicy and round with ripe tannnins that gently support the cherry, cassis and herb character on the finish.
| Vintage |
2009 |
| Grape varieties |
65% Grenache/Garnacha
25% Syrah/Shiraz
10% Mourvedre |
| Region |
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône |
| Winemaker |
Philippe Cambie |
| Closure |
Cork |
| Alcohol (ABV) |
14.5% |
