Chaupin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Man do I hate CDP. So hot. So unfocused.

Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), Chateauneuf du Pape; 6 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

Blind dinner, open theme, mid-week at The Elm in Great Barrington MA.

Flavor of strawberry jam and spice - very smooth and approachable. Enjoyed with a beautifully bribenedppork chop…

Soft on day 2.

Oxidized again…poor storage condition maybe

I’m between a 92-93 here. This was by no means shut down but it was surprisingly tannic and a bit clenched. Poured next to a 2016 Fisher Syrah, this was significantly less pepper driven yet substantially more nimble and vibrant. 100% Grenache and 40% whole cluster (which is definitely evident). Plenty of ripe red fruit up front on the nose with underripe and crunchy black fruits, potpourri, garrigue, and herbal stemminess. Nervy acidity on the palate and while a touch thin on the mid palate, the finish here is quite beefed up with violet, cranberry and black currant wrapped tannins. It’s almost juicy, yet an herbal flair keeps it balanced. Enjoyed at pop and pour, I’d decant at least an hour if opening now.

Dried purple flowers on the nose with notes of pastis on the pallet.