2009 Heloise
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Tasting notes
Dark ruby. Highly fragrant, smoke-accented aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, licorice and violet, lifted by a mineral nuance. Plush and concentrated but energetic as well, offering cherry liqueur and blueberry flavors that become sweeter and spicier with air. This expressive, intensely flavored wine finishes with powerful thrust, harmonious tannins and outstanding persistence.
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Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Possessing a lit bit of a Cote Rotie-like bouquet of sweet raspberry, peach pit, violets, vanilla bean and mint, the 2009 Heloise is gorgeous and seamless on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannin structure and a light, graceful and elegant texture that carries through the finish. Made from 60% Syrah, 36% Grenache and 4% Viognier, all of which spent 18 months in barrel, it's already drinking beautifully, and while I see no reason to delay gratification, this beauty will have 10-15 years of longevity.
Héloïse was a young d isciple of Abélard but also his lover; became the abbess of Paraclete, where she brought up her son Astralabe. Fruit from the same parcels as Abélard but selected in the vineyard. 60% Syrah (30+ years old), 36% Grenache (40+ years old), 4% Viognier. Intended to be more 'feminine' than Abélard. 16 months in French oak. Organic and some biodynamic treatments. Deep crimson. Red-fruited and sweet smelling but also an unexpected hint of non-sweet strawberry and orange. Ripe and a little chewy in texture rather than in flavour, and even with all the depth of fruit there is still a rocky character. And lots of freshness on the finish. Dry, non-grainy tannis. Super elegant. (JH)