2006 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

One of the great producers in the Southern Rhone and one of the few who doesn't have a super pricey luxury cuvee and so everything goes into the basic wine. The price on new releases does hover into three digits now, but it is well worth it. This was pop and pour and while it may have benefited from 30 minutes of air, it is drinking very well right now. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has raspberries, clay, and garrique. On the palate, this has a beautiful texture. Black cherry fruit layered with spice and minerals/rocks. Complex. Probably at or close to peak. Will work with a wide variety of medium and heavier foods.

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2006

2016 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$140.00USD

One of the top producers in Chateaneuf and one with out a luxury cuvee. This is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah. Served pop and pour, this took about 30 minutes to really open and then drank beautifully. We shared the bottle with friends while listening to Latin jazz at an outdoor café.

2006 Clos des Papes, France, Rhone, Chateauneuf du Pape, Wine Review

Vintage:

2006

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$90.00USD

This is in a great place right now. It won't get better although it will continue to mature. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is gorgeous with Black cherries, garrique, violets and tapenade. On the palate, the texture is incredible. Soft yet structured. The wine just glides down the palate. Lots of black raspberry fruit with some black cherries layered with a bit of earth. Great balance. Long finish. This will go great with meat dishes and anything roasted. No hurry, it should be at this level for a decade and even then some.

2007 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2007

Score:

100

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$230.00USD

Wow. One of the best CdP's I have ever had. This is in a great place right now. Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is incredible with black cherries, black raspberries, violets, garrique and slight char. Full bodied. Sexy, voluptuous texture. Great energy and balance. On the palate, this is just about at peak. Complex and deep with layers of fruit and minerality. Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, spice, earthiness and char. Long finish. This is great on its own and would be excellent with Roasted Duck. Drink over the next ten years.

2004 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2004

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$125.00USD

This is yet another example of why to buy top producers in less than top vintages. At age 17, this was drinking amazingly well. Purple in color with ruby swirls and ruby at the rim, mostly clear and bright. What a nose. Black cherries, leather, slight earthiness/barnyard and even a hint of floral. Full bodied. Lush texture. On the palate, this is delicious and complex. Layers of black cherries, earth and spice. Great balance. Long finish. The would appear to be at peak, so I would drink sooner than later but it should drink well for another ten to twelve years as it moves past pe

2016 Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

This is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5%Cinsault and 5% Mourvèdre. It is drinking quite well now. Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has black cherries, slight cough drop note, wild herbs, char and some black raspberries. Very nice creamy texture. Good balance. On the palate, this is very tasty. Black cherries, black raspberries and char. Complex and deep. Long finish. This is just getting to peak but should drink well for another seven to ten years. Great on its own, this should work with a lots of foods. Lamb of beef stews would be perfect.

2006 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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