2010 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Classic 2010 CdP which is to say, excellent. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is powerful with black cherries, baking spices, black raspberries, slight violets, slight black olives and black pepper. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Great energy and balance. On the palate, this is delicious. Rich. Also deep. Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, spice and slight char. Long finish. This is drinking very well and just about at peak. It should continue to drink well for another decade. It is great on its own and will work well with food. It went very well with a squash soup.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2010

2006 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2006

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$125.00USD

A tremendous Chateauneuf year in and year out. This is drinking great right now. 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Vaccarese and miscellaneous grapes. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, plums, spice/garrique, slight bacon fat and dried flowers. On the palate, this is just approaching prime. Lush black cherry fruit with plums and underlying spices and earthiness. Great texture. Complex. Vibrant. Long finish. This drinks great on its own and works well with a diverse set of roasted foods. It should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.

2010 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

B+

From Magnum. Deep ruby in color. The nose is dusty with black cherries and slight licorice. Quite tight. On the palate, the cherries continue, but this is really tight right now. Seems monolithic. Not sure where this goes from here, but hopefully, it starts to open up in the next couple of years. Doesn't seem to really have great depth but who knows. Perhaps some upside potential. For now, however, it is very good and enjoyable. One of those wines where expectations balance against reality.

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.

2005 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$120.00USD

This is in a great place right now (as seem to be many of the top 2005 CdP's). Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, slight black raspberries, char, black pepper, nutmeg and black pepper. With air some dried flowers and roasted meats. Full bodied. Complex and layered. This is a big, "masculine" styled type of CdP. On the palate, black cherries, with layers of forest floor, spice and earth. Lively acidity. Good balance. Long finish. This bottle is at peak but should have another five to seven years at this level. Great on its own, it will be even

2009 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage:

2009

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is their basic CdP. Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, slight roasted herbs, slight black olives and black pepper. Medium bodied. Light tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, black cherries and cherries with some black pepper and slight char. Good finish. This seems to be at peak but should drink at the level for another five years. Better with food. This would work well with roasted squash.

2010 M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Croix de Bois, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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