Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

This is a bottle I've looked at 8-10 times and put back recently. While...tasty, still needs lots of bedrest. This 07 C-d-P leans heavily towards Cornas. Heavy, dark tarry. It's seriously dark cassis, the core flavor of anise, blackberries are a under statement, dark cherry liqueur, olallieberries haunt throughout, Christmas cake, dark chocolate, dark cocoa, caramel, vanilla, caramel, burnt toast, dry dark florals, heavily grilled meats, strong leather, dry stones, heavy spice; big clove & nutmeg, dry stems-brambly, dry brown volcanic minerals with dust, decent acidity, strong concentration, structure, length and still out of balance with the earth it's showing. Better in 5 or more years. Wine is still so young & fresh, I'm glad I Coravin-ed it.

Nose is a little barnyard. Blackberries, stewed black plums, some blueberries and creamy raspberries, tarry, black licorice, black wet earth, grilled meat, iron pan and expresso roast. Tannins are still slightly grainy. Nice structure and acidity. Check it again in 5-8 years.

Still just a baby, almost unevolved. Very dark, black fruits, garrigue, plum licorice. This is going to age a long time.

Raspberry jam and lavender. Noticeable warmth.

To me this was a tad clunky.

Nice wine at peak.

In a great spot. Bright. Good fruit here! Let open for over an hour minimum.

A little Chat-enough with my Chinese... Remind me to buy more of this stuff. Can't have enough Chateauneuf....

Magnums never disappoint! This needed a little time to open up, and it was worth the wait.

2007 Very tight still. Could use a few more years.