Jaboulet Syrah le Petit Jaboulet 2009

Winemaker's Notes:

Legendary Rhône producer, Paul Jaboulet, was bought by the Frey family in January 2006 and is now undergoing a quality renaissance. The Frey family, owners of Château La Lagune (and previously owners of Ayala Champagne), have a history of investing in quality and are determined to restore the Jaboulet wines to their former glory. M. Frey hired a new general manager, a new vineyard manager and a new winemaker soon after taking control of Jaboulet, and brought in Denis Dubourdieu (owner of Château Reynon, and consultant to La Lagune) to help bring quality back to its previously high level. In order to do this, much of the old oak in the cellars was thrown out and almost 25,000 cases worth of wine was sold off in bulk as it wasn’t good enough to go into the revamped Jaboulet blends. In addition, about 72,000 bottles were tipped down the drain. This renewed emphasis on quality is to be seen in the 2004s that have gone to bottle since January 2006, and in the 2005s and 2006s. The Petit Jaboulet range is a new selection of well-packaged premium varietals sourced from vineyards in the Côte du Rhône and Côtes de Provence. The emphasis here is on quality, value and varietal character. This Syrah is deep red in colour with youthful violet lights, this is a perfumed wine, with the emphasis on the primary fruit characters of cherries, violets and blackcurrants. On the palate it’s juicy, rounded fruit flavours are supported by ripe tannins and an elegant, perfumed finish.