Cuvée La Côte Ronde Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some rim variation along with signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and red brambles, red and purple flowers, maybe some rotundone, leather, stony earth and a mix of cool spices and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the ABV is medium+ to high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a GSM blend, a Bordeaux blend, or a Tempranillo (and blends) from France, the United States or Spain. Despite the powerful fruit, I felt that the wine leaned more towards its structure and non-fruits so I wanted this to be in the geography formerly known as the Old World. I also felt the generosity of the fruit and elevated ABV was pushing me towards a Southern Rhône GSM. Furthermore, I thought this saw a generous use of new oak. Final conclusion: this is a GSM blend from France, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from a modern producer, 2007. Close!! This is another really great showing of “Cuvée La Côte Ronde”. Drink now through 2035.

Popped and poured; enjoyed out of red Solo cups over the course of a few hours. The 2007 “Cuvée La Côte Ronde” pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and red fruit: blackberries, Marionberries, black cherry, a mix of red and purple flowers, a touch of rotundone, some new leather, a touch of Kalamata olive, stony earth and a mix of cool spices and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, baby. Personally, I have struggled to appreciate the modern profile of Paul Autard (100% new French Oak). However, this is an intensely sensual wine. I cannot deny it. Really good stuff. Drink now through 2032.

I’ve always loved Paul Autard. Definitely a new wave producer in Chateauneaf. Rich, nicely textured, dark fruit. I like where this is going with the age. Definitely hitting its prime drinking window.

Last bottle and still delicious. Dark red fruit, cherry and chocolate and coffee grounds. Still vibrant but plenty ready.

A very pleasant surprise.
Haven’t had a CdP in ages, and this is impressive. So youthful and fruity, buttressed with cloves and nutmeg. Presents textured on the mid palate with a solid weight profile. Finishes plummy and sweet with a hint of anise.

Hope this is not my last bottle. Showed more like a Rayas than a typical CDP. Dark plum and cherry fruit, pork fat, forrest dirt.

Normally not a fan of this cuvée and normally find the Syrah too dominant and the oak heavy handed BUT this is gorgeous right now. Integrated, supple, warming CNDP that billows out of the glass with its enticing perfume. Stewed blackberry and blueberry, chocolate, espresso beans, sweet meat, animal hide, sandalwood, incense, toffee, wet leather, black tea, asian spices. Palate is upfront, round and immediate, followed by that classic stoniness on the finish. The oak tannin is still present, not offensive still lingering on. Autards modern profile is always a little polarizing for me but happy to try with some age. Even more so that 3 bottles of this were mis-shipped in a case of 2013s that came to the wineshop. Winner winner 😸

Delicious.

Lost a lot of fruit, but still tasty

Big, peppery CDP. Not your normal every day soft, supple CDP.