2016 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Pop and pour on day 1 and it was a bit disappointing. Good, not great. Recorked and tried again on day 2. So much better. At eight years from vintage, that is surprising and impressive. Purple in color with some ruby hues. Mostly opaque and bright. The nose is deep with black raspberries, gravel/asphalt, some garrique, and slight dried floral notes. Full bodied. Light to medium tannins. Very lively. On the palate, this is complex. Layers of black raspberries, black cherries, spice and char. Good acidity. Long finish. This is delicious. Great on its own, this would be great with roasted vegetables. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2016

Current Price:

$157.00USD

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.

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.

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

Vintage:

2006

Score:

Grade:

A+

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

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.

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 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Le Secret des Sabon, France, Rhone, Wine Review

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