Domaine Saint Préfert
Réserve Auguste Favier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), Chateauneuf du Pape; 5 October 2023 at Café Capriccio, Albany, NY
Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), Chateauneuf du Pape; 5 October 2023 at Café Capriccio, Albany, NY
Oct 6th, 2023Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), Chateauneuf du Pape; 5 October 2023 at Café Capriccio, Albany, NY
Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), Chateauneuf du Pape; 5 October 2023 at Café Capriccio, Albany, NY
Oct 6th, 2023Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), Chateauneuf du Pape; 5 October 2023 at Café Capriccio, Albany, NY
Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), Chateauneuf du Pape; 5 October 2023 at Café Capriccio, Albany, NY
Oct 6th, 2023
Just rock-solid Châteauneuf, this is exemplary and for me personally my exact sweet-spot in terms of the varied styles from this region. The nose takes a little coaxing, but has a great yin / yang profile of pure, fresh blue fruit, liquorice, violets, and garrigue, versus seared meat, iron and loamy earth. This all puts it square in the middle of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ schools, broadly speaking, and it’s a wine that has the best of both worlds as a result.
The palate is huge, an iron fist in a glove of velvet and so much more, but in no way imbalanced or over-extracted - not overtly alcoholic, at a modest 14%. It spreads out in waves across the palate, ripples which are felt long after the finish. This is clearly a baby now, but it drinks well and will see its 20th birthday in damn fine fettle. Excited to have a case in the cellar.
Decanting not required nor recommended.
Just rock-solid Châteauneuf, this is exemplary and for me personally my exact sweet-spot in terms of the varied styles from this region. The nose takes a little coaxing, but has a great yin / yang profile of pure, fresh blue fruit, liquorice, violets, and garrigue, versus seared meat, iron and loamy earth. This all puts it square in the middle of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ schools, broadly speaking, and it’s a wine that has the best of both worlds as a result.
The palate is huge, an iron fist in a glove of velvet and so much more, but in no way imbalanced or over-extracted - not overtly alcoholic, at a modest 14%. It spreads out in waves across the palate, ripples which are felt long after the finish. This is clearly a baby now, but it drinks well and will see its 20th birthday in damn fine fettle. Excited to have a case in the cellar.
Decanting not required nor recommended.
A massive wine, showing no differently to the last time I tasted it earlier this year. A rich, intense bouquet that knocks you off your feet, and a palate that’s crying out for more bottle age. Sublime.
A massive wine, showing no differently to the last time I tasted it earlier this year. A rich, intense bouquet that knocks you off your feet, and a palate that’s crying out for more bottle age. Sublime.
Jan 1st, 2021
The 2010 Auguste Favier Reserve is drop dead gorgeous with it’s fresh and bright ripe strawberry tones, giving way to zesty red florals, sweet smoke, white pepper and dusty cedar. It’s velvety on the palate, yet not weighty, instead poised and remarkably fresh, as red and blue fruits cascade across the senses over a core of brisk acids, leaving a mineral twang with savory spiciness. The finish is long and structured, with youthful tannins still holding something back for the years to come, yet still so alive and focused on purity of fruit. The 2010 is worth checking in on, but don’t forget to keep a stash in your cellar for at least the next five to ten years. Wow.
The 2010 Auguste Favier Reserve is drop dead gorgeous with it’s fresh and bright ripe strawberry tones, giving way to zesty red florals, sweet smoke, white pepper and dusty cedar. It’s velvety on the palate, yet not weighty, instead poised and remarkably fresh, as red and blue fruits cascade across the senses over a core of brisk acids, leaving a mineral twang with savory spiciness. The finish is long and structured, with youthful tannins still holding something back for the years to come, yet still so alive and focused on purity of fruit. The 2010 is worth checking in on, but don’t forget to keep a stash in your cellar for at least the next five to ten years. Wow.
May 22nd, 2020I get it, I get it. This is the first Chateauneuf that’s really wowed me. Having been left a little underwhelmed by the 2004 Beaucastel I had over Christmas (though I rated this highly at the time), I looked to Isabel Ferrando and her Domaine de Saint Préfert for some confirmation - in my untrained mind - as to the appeal of CNDP. And boy, did this bottle deliver.
This wine boasts a very powerful aroma, which drove me to profanity when I first smelled it; a mix of blueberry, liquorice, bergamot and coffee much of which continues on the palate. It’s incredibly ripe, full, seductive and has everything in check: fresh acidity, gentle tannin, and a long, velvety finish (think Turkish delight). My initial thought on composition was that this must be a Grenache-dominant blend given the ripe, fruit forward profile and high alcohol (15%), so as an amateur I was pleased to find out that, indeed, it’s 85% Grenache with 15% Cinsault.
A great wine that will age gracefully. I wish I had more.
I get it, I get it. This is the first Chateauneuf that’s really wowed me. Having been left a little underwhelmed by the 2004 Beaucastel I had over Christmas (though I rated this highly at the time), I looked to Isabel Ferrando and her Domaine de Saint Préfert for some confirmation - in my untrained mind - as to the appeal of CNDP. And boy, did this bottle deliver.
This wine boasts a very powerful aroma, which drove me to profanity when I first smelled it; a mix of blueberry, liquorice, bergamot and coffee much of which continues on the palate. It’s incredibly ripe, full, seductive and has everything in check: fresh acidity, gentle tannin, and a long, velvety finish (think Turkish delight). My initial thought on composition was that this must be a Grenache-dominant blend given the ripe, fruit forward profile and high alcohol (15%), so as an amateur I was pleased to find out that, indeed, it’s 85% Grenache with 15% Cinsault.
A great wine that will age gracefully. I wish I had more.
Dark ruby in color with short brick rim.
Strong nose of blackberries, blueberries, plums, light vanilla, forest floor, tobacco, earth, light oak, dark chocolates, black pepper, spices, wet leaves and graphite.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, sweet cherries, plums, over ripen strawberries, raspberries, earth, light vanilla, wood, leaves, river rocks and spices.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a great CDP from a good vintage, that is drinking very nicely now. Very tasty and easy to drink. Well balanced with a nice mouthfeel and nice complexity.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly. Tangy, tasty and interesting.
At the beginning of its drinking life, and will age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. If you can find the 2015 vintage, grab it.
I paired it with cheeses, meats, olives and light appetizers.
A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Cinsault and 10% Syrah.
15% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$70.
Dark ruby in color with short brick rim.
Strong nose of blackberries, blueberries, plums, light vanilla, forest floor, tobacco, earth, light oak, dark chocolates, black pepper, spices, wet leaves and graphite.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, sweet cherries, plums, over ripen strawberries, raspberries, earth, light vanilla, wood, leaves, river rocks and spices.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a great CDP from a good vintage, that is drinking very nicely now. Very tasty and easy to drink. Well balanced with a nice mouthfeel and nice complexity.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly. Tangy, tasty and interesting.
At the beginning of its drinking life, and will age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. If you can find the 2015 vintage, grab it.
I paired it with cheeses, meats, olives and light appetizers.
A blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Cinsault and 10% Syrah.
15% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$70.
Really lovely CDP dominated by cherry and plum aromas with secondary notes of lavender, crushed rock and herbs. Paired perfectly with bbq pork chop. Solid!
Really lovely CDP dominated by cherry and plum aromas with secondary notes of lavender, crushed rock and herbs. Paired perfectly with bbq pork chop. Solid!
Mar 11th, 2018