G.A.E.C. Bonneau & Fils
Réserve des Célestins Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
One of the last couple vintages from the master, and while it won’t be as legendary as the finale of 2015 (which is one to hold), the cool 2014 vintage has been managed beautifully, and allows for early drinking. After 2 hours in the decanter it’s wonderfully expressive and aromatic wafting layers of kirsch cherries, saddle leather, camphor and violets. The palate shows striking richness and an impeccable balance of elegance, ripeness and concentration, which is quite the feat in this vintage.
When you think of vintages in Rhône that are considered to be less heralded, such as 2008 for example, typicites just don’t exist for the likes of Bonneau and Rayas. (08 happens to be one of my favorites for both). Ultimately there are no bad vintages for Bonneau, just different ones. Beautiful wine.
One of the last couple vintages from the master, and while it won’t be as legendary as the finale of 2015 (which is one to hold), the cool 2014 vintage has been managed beautifully, and allows for early drinking. After 2 hours in the decanter it’s wonderfully expressive and aromatic wafting layers of kirsch cherries, saddle leather, camphor and violets. The palate shows striking richness and an impeccable balance of elegance, ripeness and concentration, which is quite the feat in this vintage.
When you think of vintages in Rhône that are considered to be less heralded, such as 2008 for example, typicites just don’t exist for the likes of Bonneau and Rayas. (08 happens to be one of my favorites for both). Ultimately there are no bad vintages for Bonneau, just different ones. Beautiful wine.
Bonneau’s 2011 Celestins is stunning tonight, ultra rich, expressive and perfumed with layers of dark fruit preserves, exotic spices and roasted Provençal herbs. It’s pure silk on the palate with killer concentration, fine grained tannins and a finish that keeps on going. So good tonight!
Bonneau’s 2011 Celestins is stunning tonight, ultra rich, expressive and perfumed with layers of dark fruit preserves, exotic spices and roasted Provençal herbs. It’s pure silk on the palate with killer concentration, fine grained tannins and a finish that keeps on going. So good tonight!
Aug 27th, 2023
Wonderfully broad and clear fruit. Herbal hints at the edges and a profound and clear core. This is balanced and supple and great. In a perfect place right now.
Wonderfully broad and clear fruit. Herbal hints at the edges and a profound and clear core. This is balanced and supple and great. In a perfect place right now.
May 8th, 2019Dark and intense. A tiny bit of smoke and a brooding blue-fruit middle. Very pure and seductive. Some thyme and dried herbs. Gorgeous.
Dark and intense. A tiny bit of smoke and a brooding blue-fruit middle. Very pure and seductive. Some thyme and dried herbs. Gorgeous.
May 8th, 2019A wonderful nose with tobacco, dark berry fruit, thyme and sage, black pepper. A broad palate with lucious and balanced fruit. Lean and focused with great length. A whiff of sour and herbaceousness.
A wonderful nose with tobacco, dark berry fruit, thyme and sage, black pepper. A broad palate with lucious and balanced fruit. Lean and focused with great length. A whiff of sour and herbaceousness.
Sep 1st, 2018Dark intense plum, gnarly blue fruit, dried strawberry, some blood and iron minerals. Gorgeous on the palate- plush but intense and mineral laden. Very supple with acidity balancing the delicious fruit. Long and sooo balanced.
Dark intense plum, gnarly blue fruit, dried strawberry, some blood and iron minerals. Gorgeous on the palate- plush but intense and mineral laden. Very supple with acidity balancing the delicious fruit. Long and sooo balanced.
Sep 1st, 2018
We first tried a bottle of Celestins in a restaurant in Gigondas some years ago, and for me it was a WOW Wine. Had this latest bottle on Sunday with Roast Pork. Medicinal to begin with which blew off. Barnyard aromas - horse manure. In hindsight this could’ve been Brett but the overall impression and tasting was impressive and memorable. Glad I have 3 left. Showing a medium to full bodied palate. This is textbook CdP in the old school genre. The tannins are silky and sexy - a liquorice note together with saddle leather. Henri Bonneau passed away in 2016 and the wine making is now carried out by his son, Marcel. A visit to his archaic cellars was keenly sought after and rarely granted. Mould all over the walls, rickety stairs light bulbs dangling from the ceiling and a floor which stuck to the soles of your shoes was how one visitor described his experience in the cellar. Nevertheless this is a CdP up there with Rayas and the top Cuvée from Beaucastel. The blend is usually 90% Grenache with the balance made up of around 4 or 5 different varieties.
We first tried a bottle of Celestins in a restaurant in Gigondas some years ago, and for me it was a WOW Wine. Had this latest bottle on Sunday with Roast Pork. Medicinal to begin with which blew off. Barnyard aromas - horse manure. In hindsight this could’ve been Brett but the overall impression and tasting was impressive and memorable. Glad I have 3 left. Showing a medium to full bodied palate. This is textbook CdP in the old school genre. The tannins are silky and sexy - a liquorice note together with saddle leather. Henri Bonneau passed away in 2016 and the wine making is now carried out by his son, Marcel. A visit to his archaic cellars was keenly sought after and rarely granted. Mould all over the walls, rickety stairs light bulbs dangling from the ceiling and a floor which stuck to the soles of your shoes was how one visitor described his experience in the cellar. Nevertheless this is a CdP up there with Rayas and the top Cuvée from Beaucastel. The blend is usually 90% Grenache with the balance made up of around 4 or 5 different varieties.
1 person found it helpfulApr 30th, 20232006 Rayas for lunch, 2010 reserve des celestins for dinner. Two extremes, rosé petals and feminin, peppery and masculin. Two of the greatest wines on the planet. Of course 2010 is a better year. Chateauneuf rocks.
2006 Rayas for lunch, 2010 reserve des celestins for dinner. Two extremes, rosé petals and feminin, peppery and masculin. Two of the greatest wines on the planet. Of course 2010 is a better year. Chateauneuf rocks.
1 person found it helpfulOct 12th, 2018
We I'd drank the whole thing, silk panties!!!
We I'd drank the whole thing, silk panties!!!
1 person found it helpfulDec 10th, 2016