DOMAINE PAUL AUTARD COTES DU RHONE 2009 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre 2008 VINTAGE REPORT: Jean-Paul Autard recalls that the 2008 vintage “began under challenging conditions.” The rainy and cool spring weather disrupted flowering, causing coulure (the failure of fertilization of the flowers), thus preventing the formation of bunches of grapes. Flowering did not finish until mid-June, which was late for this region. But warm, sunny days and cool nights in late June and July, together with a beneficial Mistral wind, advanced ripening and the development of color, aroma and flavor in the grapes. As a result, their level of tannins and anthocyans, the phenolic compounds responsible for a red wine’s color, are higher in 2008 than in 2007. Autard reports that these key elements “were more easily extracted during vinification in 2008 than in 2007.” These factors, together with the year’s naturally low yield, explain the 2008 Cote du Rhone’s impressive color, concentration, intense aromas and flavors, balance and elegance. Harvest at Domaine Paul Autard began on September 11th under sunny skies for the Cotes du Rhone and lasted until the 20th, when the last grapes for Autard’s Chateauneuf du Papes were picked. For comparative purposes, the 2008 harvest dates are the same as in 2006, but a full seven days later than in 2007. The health of the fruit was perfect throughout the harvest period, and each cepage was picked at optimum maturity. The grapes were all hand-picked and then transported to the winery in small boxes so as not to damage the fruit. They were then de-stemmed and lightly crushed to begin the fermentation process by releasing juice. The maceration and fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks in Autard’s new winery. The tanks are equipped with a pneumatic mechanism to carry out pigeage (or punching down of the cap of solids) to ensure optimal and gentle extraction of color and flavor without any harsh elements. In addition, two pumping over operations (remontages) were carried out daily for 10 days, to enhance the extraction and to oxygenate the wine to attain a plush texture. Each of the varieties was vinfied separately and assembled in March. The 2008 Cotes du Rhone was aged in tank until bottling in late July 2009. Jean-Paul Autard’s vineyard practice aims to achieve a perfect balance between the soil and the vine, a method known as lutte raisonnee. No pesticides, chemical anti-rot products or fertilizers are used. The health of the vineyard is ensured by meticulous work by hand, such as the removal in May and June of unessential shoots and leaves that would block the proper aeration of the vines. By not allowing humidity to remain on the grapes and leaves, the possibility of problems such as rot and mildew is eliminated. Since the vines have an average age of over 50 years, yield is naturally low.

Review

90 Pts. Riverside Wines. The Cotes du Rhone is an excitingly fruity wine, made from 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah grapes just outside the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation in Courthezon. It is a smoky, complex wine loaded with warm raspberry fruit, showing many of the best attributes of Chateauneuf du Pape. It is ready for current drinking on release in the Fall and represents one of the best values from the southern Rhone.

Wine maker notes

The 2007 Cotes du Rhone was made under conditions of “ideal serenity for the harvesters and the vigneron,” reflects Jean-Paul Autard. While the September weather was perfect, the character of the growing season and the decisions Autard made are equally important factors in explaining the excellence of the 2007 Cotes du Rhone. It is a deeply colored and very aromatic Cotes du Rhone with plush, ripe black fruits and notes of spice – Autard’s fifth brilliant vintage in a row! Flowering began at the start of May, and the rest of May and June were relatively rainy, allowing the vines to develop without the stress of drought. From late June through September, however, the climate was extremely dry, with hot (but not scorching) days and cool nights. The latter provided relief for the vines, which were able to re-hydrate. The summer of 2007 was also exceptionally windy, keeping the fruit in naturally healthy condition as the grape bunches stayed well ventilated. In sum, at harvest time the crop was naturally in a perfect state of health. Autard did not need to green harvest in 2007 because his vines average 50 years of age (they are between 40-94 years old), and the limited use of only organic fertilizer, naturally ensured low yields and concentrated, balanced fruit. Harvest for the Cotes du Rhone began on September 5th under sunny skies and lasted ten days. The health of the fruit was perfect throughout the harvest period. The grapes were all handpicked and transported to the winery in small boxes so as not to damage the fruit. They were then de-stemmed and lightly crushed to begin the fermentation process by releasing juice. The maceration and fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks over 25 days in Autard’s new winery. The tanks are equipped with a pneumatic mechanism to carry out pigeage (or punching down of the cap of solids) to ensure optimal and gentle extraction of color and flavor without any harsh elements. In addition, two pumping over operations (remontages) were carried out daily for 10 days, to enhance the extraction and to oxygenate the wine to attain a plush texture. Each of the varieties was vinified separately and assembled in March. The 2007 Cotes du Rhone was aged in stainless steel tanks until bottling in late June 2008. Jean Paul Autard’s vineyard practice aims to achieve a perfect balance between and soil and the vine. No pesticides, or chemical anti-rot products or fertilizers are used. He is guided by the method known as lutte raisonnee. The health of the vineyard is ensured by meticulous work by hand, such as the removal in May and June of unessential shoots and leaves that would block the proper aeration of the vines. By not allowing humidity to remain on the grapes and leaves, the possibility of problems such as rot and mildew is eliminated.