2009 Chateau Puech-Haut Prestige ($17)

Has anyone tried this wine? I purchased a few bottles based on an interesting write up. Drink now?

replying to myself......

I guess this question applies only to those in the US.

The back label says "a custom cuvee produced by P-H, Philippe Cambie and Eric Solomon exclusively for the USA".

Tom:

I had some Chateau Puech-Haut when I was over in the Languedoc a few years ago, but can't speak for the 2009, or this release, of course, since it's US-only. As I recall, the property is in the Coteaux de Languedoc (the hills overlooking the ocean, one of the choicer spots.)

My impression at the time was that this was a well-funded venture, very modern, both in the sense that it was highly technical and that the style was going for "modern".

Yours is probably a blend of Syrah-Grenache, maybe with Carignane added. That's all they did when I was there.

Looked around and saw that Jamie Goode liked it when he tasted the wines. He also made the comment that the wine was very much in the modern mode...and it sounded like fruit-bomby a bit.

Hoke,

Thanks! I'll probably try one tonight or tomorrow.

for what its worth Mr. Parker seemed to like it....

From a bio-dynamically farmed estate, this 2009 is a blend of 55% Grenache (from 60- to 75-year-old vines) and 45% Syrah (from 40-year-old vines), all planted in limestone soils, and aged completely in concrete tanks. This remarkable offering is a naked expression of the vivid terroir and excellent fruit found in this region. The incredible aromatics consist of forest floor, spring flowers, sweet black currants, raspberries, licorice, and incense. With a pure, velvety, seamless, full-bodied texture and a finish that lasts 30+ seconds, this wine possesses a stunning integration of acidity, tannin, and alcohol, suggesting this 2009 will age nicely for 3-5 years, possibly as long as a decade. However, it will be hard to resist given its current performance. Bravo!

As Hoke said, Puech-Haut is a highly modernized domaine in Saint Drézéry, and Michel Rolland is a consultant. The wines are well made and very modern in style, especially in the upper-level cuvées. I've preferred the basic cuvées. I think in recent years they've changed their offerings; they used to have one called "Tête de Cuvée" that was 30% old-vine carignan and 70% syrah that was especially good. It ran about $20.

Phillipe Cambie AND Michael Rolland? Yes, I'd guess that was modern!