Roger Sabon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Le Secret des Sabon 2009 75CL

Robert Parker
An extremely limited offering is the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret des Sabon. Representing the essence of Provence and Chateauneuf du Pape, it was produced from yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare and was aged in 600-liter demi-muids. The rich black/purple-hued 2009 boasts notes of smoke, tobacco leaf, creosote, black currants, black cherries, graphite and a scent that made me think of tea-soaked duck. Massive and rich in the mouth, this full-bodied powerhouse needs 3-4 years of cellaring and should last 25-30+ years. Sadly, it is almost impossible to find this extraordinary wine.

Jeb Dunnuck 
Similar to the 2011, the 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret du Sabon sports a big, full-bodied and mouthfilling profile to go with ripe blackberry, kirsch, flowers, licorice and earth-like aromas and flavors. Although showing incredibly well on release, and also at this tasting, I've had a few disappointing bottles of this from my cellar. Nevertheless, all of the wines have been fabulously concentrated and rich, so I suspect it just needs another year or two in the cellar.