WTN: 2009 Texier St. Joseph La Croix

[David M. Bueker]

2009 Éric Texier St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes La Croix - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph (12/4/2015)
A few years in the cellar have been beneficial for this wine. The fruit has rounded out, the acidity has integrated, and the whole package has become very drinkable, though still early in its developmental life. There are a few hints of leather in the background, though it's still mostly fruit driven with moderate tannins. There is plenty of depth to the fruit, so I am happy to have several more bottles resting in the cellar.

2009 Éric Texier St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes La Croix - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph (12/4/2015)
A few years in the cellar have been beneficial for this wine. The fruit has rounded out, the acidity has integrated, and the whole package has become very drinkable, though still early in its developmental life. There are a few hints of leather in the background, though it's still mostly fruit driven with moderate tannins. There is plenty of depth to the fruit, so I am happy to have several more bottles resting in the cellar.

Timely note. I am pretty sure that I will open the 2008 tomorrow. Very different vintage, perhaps not as early in its developmental life. It's my last bottle, but Eric says that his 2008s are drinking well from 750, and that's good enough for me!

[David M. Bueker]

FYI-the last glass was the most tannic

I drank the 2008 last night, and tannin was definitely not an issue over the 5-6 hours the bottle was open.

I had drunk a couple of 2008s in the fall of 2013, and at the time the flavors were lovely but the bright crisp structure was maybe a bit too crisp for its own good. Last night that had settled down and rounded out and it was a delicious package. At this point it was less of a crisp wine and more of a firm wine, as the layers and depth were melding together. Very nice. I wonder what will happen in the future, but am unlikely to find out as it was my last bottle.