Still relatively young tasting, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape accents lush red fruit with hints of leather and Asian five spice powder. It's full-bodied and velvety, ripe, plush and long, a completely delicious taste experience that culminates in a lick of salted licorice. Owners should count themselves lucky to have purchased some, as this still has a decade or more of life ahead of it. As Paul-Vincent Avril said, "2009 is still a baby—decant it if you can." - Joe Czerwinski

A real winter warming glass of wine, with structure and weight. Initially tight-knit, it develops in the glass to reveal ripe, fleshy fruit and a long, rich finish. It is still youthful, with plenty of potential. The blend is one-third Mourvèdre, which is high for Châteauneuf, with Grenache, a little Syrah, and tiny amounts of the other varieties, all planted together.

The blend: still a little reduced even after a long walk of swirling round the chai but there is class here. But it’s meaty and masculine. He thinks it will close up fast after bottling in May 2011. A bit of liquorice and leather on the nose but wonderful richness on the palate, glorious breadth and the tannins are nowhere to be seen! Majestic. Great power but no beast, early signs are very good indeed. Structure and fine tannins, lightly leathery, starts to close a little on the end but it’s really a miracle of improvement over the five lovely ingredients. 19/20

Sinewy and reserved with a light dusting of cocoa powder over the tangy damson plum red licorice and cassis notes. The long supple finish with a lovely wafting note of Lapsang souchong tea is packed with minerality and tight-grained tannins that will need time to fully evolve. One of the more backward 2009s though this should pick up steam in the cellar. Best from 2013 through 2025. 9000 cases made. -JM

While described as masculine by Paul-Vincent (possibly due to the tannin level and quality), I found the 2009 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape to be quite elegant and almost finesse driven, showing gorgeous kirsch and licorice-laced blackberry-like fruits, Asian spice, garrigue, and floral notes on the nose, medium to full body, and a very straight, focused texture that highlights very fine grained tannin. While quite approachable now, with an almost Burgundian-like texture and density, this should ideally be given 3-4 years in the cellar, and then consumed over the following decade or longer. A resounding success in the vintage and lovers of Clos des Papes will not be disappointed.

Black raspberries, cherry, floral and bay leaf on the nose, with silky textures, freshness, cherry griotte and raspberry flavors that feel soft, fresh and silky on the medium bodied palate. The wine leave you with sweet cherries on the end note. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2009&wine=Clos%20des%20Papes%20Chateauneuf-du-Pape

While described as masculine by Paul-Vincent (possibly due to the tannin level and quality) I found the 2009 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape to be quite elegant and almost finesse driven showing gorgeous kirsch and licorice-laced blackberry-like fruits Asian spice garrigue and floral notes on the nose medium to full body and a very straight focused texture that highlights very fine grained tannin. While quite approachable now with an almost Burgundian-like texture and density this should ideally be given 3-4 years in the cellar and then consumed over the following decade or longer. A resounding success in the vintage and lovers of Clos des Papes will not be disappointed.