Produced in cooperation with Rhône vintners François Villard and Yves Cuilleron, “Asiaticus” was raised on historic terroir once cultivated in Roman times (and praised in antiquity by Pliny and Plutarch). These historic vineyards, recently revived, sit just north of Côte Rôtie on the east side of the Rhône. A 100% Syrah that exhibits a Côte Brune style, with its earthy, saturated flavors. Aromas of smoked plums and black truffles marry seamlessly with cherries and ginger on the expressive nose; the mouth combines crushed black peppercorns with fatty bacon and the creamy flavors of raspberry gelato and black cherries. Endlessly enchanting and very complex.
2009 Pierre Gaillard Northern Rhône
4.7.2011
 Despite the run of very good vintages in the Rhône Valley, there is something
more than exceptional about 2009 that not only has the wine press
aflutter but also has made us consider just what exactly makes northern
Rhône Syrah so sublime when the heavens and stars align, as they did in
2009.
There is plenty of concentrated, almost chewy, fruit in 2009—much
more than in 1999, for example. Yet there is also an impeccable
freshness to these wines, a cut and precision on the palate that makes
them effortless to drink and what's more, enjoyable from the get-go.
Pierre Gaillard does not make a lot of wine, and yet, that's the way we like
it. Unlike some of the more monster houses perched at the feet of the
treacherous hills of Côte Rôtie, Pierre's winemaking focus is
small-batch, every bit of work by hand, and wines that are unfined and
unfiltered and thus as natural and pure as can be.
All the following
wines we selected—in very small quantities, and some crus represent just
one barrels' worth—with Pierre after following the wines throughout the
year.
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Gaillard Cornas Les Combe 2009
France
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Rhône Valley
Very limited! This petite southern vineyard with its 70-year-old vines is a recent acquisition for winemaker Pierre Gaillard and one can immediately taste why he coveted just this spot. What a pepper bomb! The complexity here is stunning; black cherries mix with barbecued red plums and soy-sauce steak on the dense, explosive mouth—there's even a bit of Echezeaux orange rind on the finish. Very supple and wonderfully silky—this one will only get better in the cellar, too. c
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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Gaillard Côte Rotie Côte Rozier 2009
France
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Rhône Valley
The star bottling of the Gaillard lineup and one that puts pretty much every "La-La" to pasture. “Côte Rozier,” located near "La Landonne," is the source of some of the most peppery and refined 100% Syrah wines in the Côte Brune. Seductive and long, "Rozier" slathers on the boysenberry syrup over a rich, butter crust tart piled high with blackberries and black currants...
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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Gaillard Côte Rotie Le Mollard 2009
France
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Rhône Valley
Winemaker Pierre Gaillard recently acquired just a few rows of 60+ year old vines in "Le Mollard," a very well-regarded, easterly facing site in the Côte Blond. It's a perfect example of Blond style, with its bright red fruits and effortless grace—in 2009 it's unquestionably a wine of finesse and supple fruit.
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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Gaillard Côte Rotie Les Viallieres 2009
France
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Rhône Valley
Another Côte Blonde beauty, “Les Viallieres” is one of the region's unheralded great growths, and certainly one of Gaillard's most elegant and voluptuous offerings from Côte Rôtie. We selected two ideal barrels that displayed the wonderful spice and poise that this vineyard delivers in spades. Cinnamon dust and silky blue and black fruits show on the nose; a rich and spicy combination of licorice, ginger and white pepper combine with black cherries, plums and barbecued peaches on the juicy, structured mouth. Another wine that is simply a treasure in the cellar!
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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Gaillard Crozes-Hermitage 2009
France
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Rhône Valley
Savory, lushly layered and wonderfully balanced—this is one of the more expressive, character-rich Crozes we've ever had and certainly goes to show that this promising appellation has more than come into its own. What a delicious discovery!
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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Gaillard St. Joseph Côtes Belley 2009
France
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Rhône Valley
"Côte Belley" is one wine we keep socking away in our cellars because it is such a treasure—always beautifully concentrated and spiced, this St. Joseph is such a super value because it consistently over-delivers. Our 2009 selection is sensational; we chose a blend of four different barrels to come up with a seriously spice-laden Syrah...
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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Gaillard Cornas Les Combe 2007
France
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Rhône Valley
We selected two perfect barrels that for us represent the sweetest, richest Cornas you will ever taste. Red flowers and pink peppercorns flood the nose. There's a plumpness along with a finesse-driven precision…
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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Gaillard Côte Rotie La Brosse 2007
France
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Rhône Valley
A special, single-barrel selection. In “La Brosse,” soils are a mix of decomposed schist and limestone, which gives fruit more balance and a brighter, more fruity character…
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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Gaillard Côte Rotie Le Cret 2007
France
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Rhône Valley
This petite vineyard sits just above “La Mouline,” and combines 10% Viognier for a Côte Blonde-styled, elegant cuvée. The perfumes of “Crêt” remind us of Bordeaux…
Call 1-800-266-6585 to inquire.
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