Chateauneuf du Pape les Petits Pieds d'Armand 2007

A blockbuster effort displaying lavish richness as well as extraordinary finesse, elegance, and freshness, the dark ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Petits Pieds d’Armand was fashioned from ancient vines planted in 1899 in the famed sector known as La Crau. Aged in tank and a few demi-muids, it exhibits sumptuous aromas of kirsch liqueur, spring flowers, licorice, the seaweed wrapper used in sushi restaurants called Nori, and hints of pepper and spice. Revealing enormous richness, purity, finesse, elegance, and impeccable balance, this stunning wine is one of the vintage’s most compelling examples of ancient vine Grenache made in an unmanipulated style with no make-up. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. A breakthrough vintage for this estate, which was created in 2006 when the former proprietor, Henri Boiron, sold part of his holdings to his son-in-law, Olivier Hillaire. The brilliant consultant Philippe Cambie works with Hillaire, which no doubt explains the extraordinary quality that was achieved both in 2007 and 2008. This tiny estate of just under 10 acres produces two wines, a regular Chateauneuf du Pape and a 100% Grenache cuvee from 110-year-old vines, the Petits Pieds d’Armand.( RP, 10/2009)