Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2014
A blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre and 5% Cinsault from vines planted in the galet-laden La Crau and Les Grandes Serres lieux-dits, the 2014 Domaine Jean Royer Cuvée Tradition has slight bricking at this stage in its evolution, with layered aromas of black cherry, plum skin, sagebrush, loamy tilth, cigar box, and […]
Paul Jourdan Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve de Leonie 2015
A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, Paul Jourdan’s Réserve de Léonie Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 is an excellent value with overtones of sauvage and earth, leather and tar vying for, and claiming dominance over more subdued notes of plum and black cherry. In the mouth, high-toned acidity makes this a wine that begs to be […]
Pegau Cuvée Réservée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 1998
Well within its drinking window the 1998 Pegau Cuvée Réservée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge shows just a touch of bricking in the glass. It unfurls revealing the sort of olfactive charm one might expect from this producer—raspberry coulis, garrigue, loamy soil, leather, and multiflorous layers of dried rose petal and lavender. It’s medium bodied, with an intensity […]
Domaine de la Mordorée Plume du Peintre Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2014
Brooding, serious and bordering on high-octane, the 2014 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Belle Voyageuse-du-Pape opens with notes of blackberry reduction, freshly turned soil, graphite and violets. A faint topnote of barnyard eventually blows off revealing a wine with lots of power and verve, firm tannins and close of Garrigue and spice. Lots to […]
M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2010
A delicious Châteauneuf from magnum, drinking beautifully at this stage in its eveloution. The 2010 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine has both finesse and focus. The grenache really shines through with aromas of macerated strawberry and Bing cherries, a touch of underbrush and spice. It’s a touch lighter and more restrained than I might have […]
Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011
The profile of the 2011 Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape screams Grenache, and so it was gratifying to read that the blend is indeed 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah and 3% Cincault, and the vines are old, averaging 50 years or more. The result is a wine with pronounced red fruit aromas, macerated strawberries and black cherries […]
Domaine Giraud Prémices Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011
Oh my. The nose on Domaine Giraud’s Prémices Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 is unapologetically lush and even downright sensual with layers of blackberry reduction sauce, smoky plums, mesquite, Tahitian vanilla bean, and anise. It’s equally immersive and voluptuous on the palate, layers of black fruit are beautifully delineated against a structure that suggests good aging potential, balanced […]
Domaine Olivier Hillaire Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Petits Pieds D’Armand 2012
From the famed La Crau lieu dits—but from the western end of the parcel. Rounder, silkier tannins from the sand-heavy soils standout in this substantive wine. Gorgeous, layered notes of black cherry, game, roasted coffee, bay leaf, and savory herbs can be found on both the nose and palate. The finish is gratifyingly lengthy and […]
Château La Nerthe Cuvée Des Cadettes Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2000
Layer upon layer of rich, heady aromas waft from the glass. Boysenberry and black raspberry, dried cherry, leather, dusty earth and roasted meat. This voluptuous Châteauneuf graces the palate with superb depth, balance and concentration in equal measure. Tannins are fine and well-integrated and it culminates with notes of black currant, herbs de Garrigue, lavender, crushed […]