Alexis Establet Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenache

This was a really fun follow up to the duo of 2010 Saint-Damien’s. Same consulting wine maker (P. Cambie). Consistent with my previous experiences with this wine, it was beguiling from the start. Lush, amazing example of Grenache with brambles for days and while that sounds like this is massively fruit forward (and it is) it’s just so pure that you can’t help but fall head over heals for it. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and this was my last bottle. Tremendous.

Popped and poured. This is in a much more fun spot than last year. The nose is a big bowl of blackberries and a bit of sandalwood which I found very intriguing and quite delightful to be completely frank. Delicious wine with dense dark fruits and some spice on the palate. This bottle did not come across hot like some notes from others have indicated. Tannin is still a touch firm but it's definitely well within the range of enjoyment at this point. Finishes with a flourish, lasting for 30 seconds. Again, the Alexis Establet comes through as a consistent and overall wonderful representation of 100% old-vine Grenache from the appellation. Drink now or enjoy over the next 3-5 years.

Not flawed, extremely mediocre. Lacking mid-palate structure. Very uninteresting.

Classic style of cdp, very understated mineral, cherry blackberry and spice nose. Fresh and alluring. Mid-weight palate with lively fruit backed by spice, long and suave finish. Smooth and traditional, but with no funk, and a very sophisticated demeanour. 2012 vintage.

2009. 15.5 alc. and tasting it. Kinda terrible, frankly.

Vanilla and plum on nose, smooth red fruit with graphite and smooth tannin, undertones of cassis and savoriness. Easy to drink and crowd pleasing though not much secondary characteristics.

From mag

Dark ruby coloration. Very ripe red and black fruit and smokiness. On the palate, cherry, anise, oak, and not much of a secondary palate or finish. Full bodied. $50 at B21.

In all fairness, we probably drank this 2006 vintage after its peak, which was probably around the time we bought it in 2016. Still yet, it’s a bold mature wine with notes of black currant, stone, white pepper, and black cherry. The wine has flavors of pomegranate, tobacco, cherry, and dried apricot. It’s a complex wine that titillates and intrigues with every sip.

2012, red fruit, very bright flavors, not a lot of depth or complexity, but still young and very enjoyable. Feminine, and quite attractive. Long finish, well balances. WBA.