This wine, the Domaine du Pegau Cuvée Réservée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Magnum 1.5L 2009, exhibits a classic style while maintaining a pure, vivid, and elegant taste. The blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise, and other permitted varieties results in beautiful flavours of griotte cherry, spiced berries, clove, cinnamon, sap, and sandalwood. The 2009 vintage is rich, ripe, and spicy, but still has a bright and refreshing finish.
A magnum is equal to two standard 750ml bottles of wine, making it an ideal size for sharing with friends and family. The larger bottle size also benefits the appearance of the wine, as it slows down the aging process by minimizing the amount of oxygen that enters the bottle, which can help preserve the wine's freshness and vibrant flavours for a longer period of time.
To produce this exceptional wine, the grapes are harvested from vines aged between 25 and 80 years old, and then fermented using traditional methods, including lightly pressing whole bunches in concrete vats, and aging the wine for a minimum of 18 months in a large old wooden cask. The wine is then bottled without filtration, resulting in a pure and unadulterated flavour.
The 2009 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée is a terrific effort still in its prime. Marked by scents of sweaty horse tack, it's also loaded with sweet black cherries, hints of smoke, and dried herbs. Full-bodied and velvety, it finishes long and rich, with the suggestion of warm generosity. I suspect not everyone will love this wine, but for me, it beautifully captures the character of great, traditional Southern Rhônes.