Doug Powers

9.0

Like the last bottle, this shows some VA (though nowhere as bad as the bottle from 3-4 months ago), redfruits, some earthy aromas as well, good depth and balance on the palate, lingering finish, overall a very good bottle of aged Clos des Papes CdP. — 2 days ago

with Jim

Jol

9.4

Très puissant bonne année Ouvert depuis la veille — a month ago

J Choi

9.4

Ventura. — a month ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.3

My style of CdP. 2023. Rich and fruity with strong backbone of acidity. Ripe tannins, but in background. Garrigue all day long. Love — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.1

So, initially I thought this was nowhere near the 1990 Marcoux CdP, and this is Côtes du Rhône (WHAT????), but for a 38 year old CdR, it’s pretty fine, zero tannins, definitely lower alcohol (label says 12.5% ABV, but I’m not buying it?!?!), but no noticeable ABV and smooth and suave, honestly, I attribute the great showing to the 1988 vintage!!? — 2 months ago

with Jim

K Brooks

9.0

Quite nice with Shawarma chicken and with roasted leg of lamb. — 2 months ago

Robert Swart

9.0

Had at Kavel's: Notes of dark cherry, cola, baking spice, a touch of vanilla oak, and soft tannins. — 2 months ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Quaffable rose. Party notes. No time. Maybe I’ll return to this. — 5 days ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on September 12, 2026 at Home with Jay]

Bing cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, sarsaparilla, licorice, sage and spice. — 7 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is an unusual CdP. In the sense that is is dark, thick and like chocolate for water.

My first of three bottles.

The nose shows a very light flaw, some soft VA, bandaid. The core is all dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, incense, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, grilled meats, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, dry herbs with floral candied dark, red flowers with liquid violets wrapped in lavender.

The palate reveals; dark currants, candied, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums-heavier black, black raspberries, hints of raspberries, some pomegranate & wafting strawberries. Chocolate cake w/ fudge frosting, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, incense, Christmas cake, red & dark cola, olive tapenade, black pepper, black coffee, anise to black licorice, smoke, grilled meats, soy sauce, crushed rocks, lime-sandstone, moist clay, dry herbs with dark, gentle dark spices, red& dark flowers with candied liquid violets wrapped in the same candied lavender, grand, round, rainfall acidity w/ a rich, lush, well balanced, nicely toned/structured, elegant finish that shows length that lasts 90-120 seconds and falls on chocolate cake, clay & spice.

Untypical for a CdP to be so thick, round, rich and a bit of wine candy.

93-95 with the meal.

Drink over the next 7-10 yrs and perhaps a couple to three yrs +. Greatly depends on storage and how you like your wines in age. — a month ago

Elmars

9.3

Great wine, probably past its prime time, but still aromatic, well balanced with lime notes. — a month ago

Jim Powers

9.4

Classic Besucastel! I first visited this property in 1987, and the Brett character was unmistakeable. This 1990 is aging extremely well. Strong Brett aromas, but the fruit is also strong and in balance. If you are one that thinks Brett is an unforgivable flaw, you will hate this. Great Chateauneuf from a great vintage! Celebrating my son’s 33rd birthday tonight (1993 wasn’t a great vintage in CdP!) with a perfectly grilled NY steak. I am very pleased with this wine — 2 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Wallys feng — 2 months ago

Rufus King

9.3

Robust Côtes du Rhône red blend (Syrah & Grenache) with notes of dark fruit with strong tannin, enjoyed with salmon crudo at The Banks restaurant, Boston — 8 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

Bought at auction. First bottle awful. This one is lovely. Needed two hours of air to settle and integrate. Freeze dried strawberries, dried cherries, plum, dust, herbs like tarragon and thyme on nose. I could smell for hours. Palate is bigger than I expected more game and herbs than fruit. Leather with dried cherries. There’s more herbs and plums and cooked/reduced berries but not super sweet. Good tannin still. Pretty good and fun to try at 26 years. I am guessing warm vintage based on abv. — 14 days ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.3

Still catching up from two weeks ago. Well wasn’t this quite the joy! Slightly shy upon opening, with more red fruit on the palate. Developed considerably in the glass and bottle, filling out with black fruit and a tight, beautiful tannin core. Seems in a great place right now but with years ahead of it. — a month ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

At Stubborn Seed in Vegas — a month ago

Maggie Harrison

9.2

lifted. hunt or red floral- lavendar? medium tannins. high acid. fuller mid palate than Sonoma Coast. — a month ago

Jedidiah Abrams

9.4

Half-bottle — 2 months ago

Kurt Winrich

9.2

At La Coin in Seattle — 2 months ago