Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

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

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

Served to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a slightly orange rim. Medium+ viscosity and some moderate staining of the tears. There appears to be some sign of sediment as well. On the nose, the wine was intense with notes of dark cherries, a mix of red and black bramble fruits, licorice, some leather and dried gravelly earth. I don’t detect any use of barrique but maybe some large format oak. This has an old world nose to it that was really lovely. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose and while the fruit had some power, it came in a body that was pretty fit and tidy. Alcohol is medium+. The finish is long and had some stoney minerals too. I called Brunello di Montalcino from a warmer vintage like 2009. Whoa…2007 Beaucastel! Damn, they hit so different than most other CdP’s. So much more restrained! But now that it has been revealed and I’ve allowed more time for it to breathe in my glass, I totally get its sense of place. One of my big takeaways is that I need more experience with these wines, particularly with age because that’s when they become more interesting to me. This is drinking well now but I expect it will continue to do so through 2032 with ease.

Confrérie de la Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs, Bailliage d'Albany; 5 March 2023 at Tighe's Bistro Americain, Averill Park, NY (Chef Ric Orlando)

Fourth Course
Quebecois Moulard Duck Breast
Charred ginger duck neck demi, rutabaga, sweet chili grilled bok choi

Ripping on all cylinders. Rich yet restrained fruit with underlying brush & garrigue.

Geez…was expecting a extracted heavy handed wine but it tasted of Rayas texture, silky, sinewy and just nice gently nuanced fruit, spices for the hour! Need to buy more 89’s!! Wow

1994 | Red Blend
Château de Beaucastel; Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Rhone; Chateauneuf du Pape, France

2022 NYE redux in Jan 2023
(Thanks XBB.1.5)

1989 vintage from 3L. Amazing!! Siberian forest, wet stone, dried lavender. Acid and structure amazing. Opera music plays in my head when I drink it.