Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Lively acidity here, really vertical and postured for wine and age. Beautiful roasted meat/herb tones, succulent spiced plum and fig components, hauntingly savory and alluring.

I opened this as part of a virtual Clos de Papes tasting with the WNH. Other vintages opened were 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2015.

After a two hour decant, this was still quite thin. Hour three it opened and finally in hour four it blossomed. Aromatically this was full of kirsch, licorice, herbs de Provence and a soft spicy red fruit profile. On the palate, the dominant note is very much black peppercorn crusted rhubarb. Crunchy and tart red and black fruit profile with a slightly sweet and lengthy finish. There was a distinct cherry liqueur and fig note with high acidity. Good lift here. Definitely zero funk. With this needing a couple hours to open, I’d say this is just now entering a prime drinking window with a lengthy window ahead.

Big wine...brambly, red jammy, raisinated fruits, acid med plus..great wine tonight

Just getting ready to kick off bloom. Fruit isn't masked yet, the strawberry is really showing.

Earthy, red fruit, baking spice, red cherry, perfume, floral, new leather, hint of cocoa. M acid, m tannin, m+ finish and complexity. Great balance.

always a favorite.

Slight TCH

I loved the nose on this but the palate was cherry cough syrup. Gnar. Everyone else at the table was in love though.

Take 2. First bottle was oxidized :(

A bit brawny and more savage than the Aïeul.