Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Prestige"
Our VALUE Pick from the 2007 Chateauneufs
(Serious Juice from 90-Year-Old Vines)
"Brilliant... the essence of Provence."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
2009 could be called "the year of the Rhône"
It was Robert Parker's huge words: "Throughout the southern Rhône, 2007 is the greatest vintage I have tasted in my thirty years working in that region." that began the 2007 Rhône-rage. The only question that remained was would the wines live up to their early promise? What would the final verdict be once the juice was bottled?
Just last month, he penned the grand conclusion: "Tasting the 2007s out of bottle has confirmed my thoughts – this is a truly historic and profoundly great vintage."
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Today we put a feather in the cap of this vintage with a wine that is without a doubt our favorite quality-to-price ratio bottling of 2007: The Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Prestige." While not an inexpensive wine, it is a Chateauneuf with incredible density, "pulled up" as it were by the serious quality of this vintage.
This is a bottle that will develop along with the best wines from this vintage for two decades or longer.
It is unquestionably the greatest "Prestige" Sabon has made; powerful muscular deep fruit, an intense medley of provençal herbs unfurling over the length of the palate (which Parker clocks at nearly 50 seconds). This is a wine with immense pedigree, a complexity that frankly embarrasses many Chateauneufs at the $100+ mark. Much of the wine's intricacy is due to its cuvée, a blend that involves only 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and then a wicked chorus of just about every other grape allowed in the appellation (of which there are 13).
While this wine does have a luxurious side to it, a glycerin-inflected richness, there is a rigor here as well. Finesse.
In fact, I've always thought of Sabon's "Prestige" as THE sweet-spot bottling. Their luxury cuvée, the "Secret de Sabon," sourced from 100-year-old vines and ludicrously low yields, is a monumental wine - but there is a weight present that can be daunting. At $200+ it's worth every penny, but sometimes a little less is a lot more.
This is one of the grand families of the Southern Rhône - father Seraphin Sabon was already domaine-bottling his wines in the 1920s! Roger Sabon founded his eponymous domaine in the 1950s and while the stable has always been very strong, and 2007 could be the strongest effort ever put forth at Roger Sabon.
As the great 2007 Rhônes enjoy ever more critical attention, two things will happen: They will begin to dry out in the market place and when they appear in small-bottle quantities, pricing is likely to be considerably higher than they once were. This is one of those final chances to get a top 2007 Rhône at "ground floor" pricing.
Our parcel arrives early next year. All orders are subject to confirmation. To order reply to this email or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director of Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Chateauneuf-du-Pape "Prestige"
Special Bottle Price: $53.88
Compare at up to $67
Special 6-Pack Price: $297.00 ($49.50/btl)
Wine Advocate: "The brilliant 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Prestige (60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and the balance almost every other authorized red grape of the appellation) is produced from parcels that average 90 years of age or older. It reveals the essence of Provence in its dense plum/purple color and powerful aromatics of sweet creme de cassis, black cherries, licorice, lavender, pepper, and incense. The wine possesses terrific depth, a blockbuster, opulent, multilayered texture, and a finish that lasts nearly 50 seconds. This sensational Chateauneuf du Pape should drink well for 15-20 years."
2007 Sabon is Pre-arrival
Net | No Further Discount