Cuvée Marie Beurrier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

I’ve said before that the wines of Chateau Rayas are almost singular in the AOC; certainly one of the purest expressions of Grenache in the world. However, there is another producer that for me, might be an even more archetypal expression of the character of Chateauneuf-du-Pape: Henri Bonneau. Henri’s wines were also predominately Grenache however, they are denser and darker, particularly the Cuvée Marie Beurrier. This is probably more to do with the small addition of other local varieties along with terroir for Mrie Beurrier (Courthézon). Henri had strong feelings about varieties, vine age and cellar practices. He didn’t really like Syrah in CdP (though he had a little of it). He didn’t like ancient vines (most were 30-50 years old and would be torn out and replanted if they were getting up there in the age range) and he believed in extended aging in wood, a collection of very old barrels and foudres. Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with his approach, the results were undeniably special.

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2000 “Cuvée Marie Beurrier” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!). Layered notes of dark brambles, black cherry, garrigue, dried red flowers, beef stew with all the veggies and mixed inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long. This is tremendously well balanced and a wine that I just wanted to keep coming back to…and I did. Drink now through 2040.

Added to my previous note 41 weeks ago in October 2023. A bit too expensive at $465 for what it is. Garrigue.

I opened this bottle of the 2013 “Cuvée Marie Beurrie” the day before and poured into a ship’s decanter for a couple of hours before returning to the bottle. In the glass, just, wow. This is developing still with the darkest brambles and stone with purple flowers and garrigue. This is so beguiling, so deep with tannins and acid for days. Full of power and grace and stunner with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. This could use another decade easily and drink well through 2053.

Very dense in colour - an impenetrable dark Ruby red. Aromatics of dried red fruits, earth, a little charcuterie and a touch of tar. Love the CdP perfume. A trace of sootiness. This is the 2nd Cuvée of the enigmatic Henri Bonneau, who has now passed on. His top wine, Celestins, is a WOW Wine. A medium plus weight palate - both sweet and savoury and also rich. The flavours of good CdP suit my palate perfectly - particularly wines like this from Bonneau, Rayas or Beaucastel Jacques Perrin. 41 weeks later on 3rd August 2024 I had my last bottle. Very aromatic - voluminous. Dark savoury fruits. Mushroom and earthy notes and very French. Obviously not near as WOW as the Celestins.

2013.
He played third base for the Kansas City Royals

Crimson fruits and a variety spices over an extended progression

Stunning. Brought this up yesterday as a back-up wine, which was doing this btl a disservice. Popped and poured. On the nose: soft funk, loads of red raspberry, musk, hides the ABV so well. On the palate, good acidity, loads of raspberry fruit, confit pomegranate seed, very hi-toned, with a touch of pomegranate and cranberry syrup. Very finely grained tannin on the long, and slightly black-peppery finish.

From one of the elites in CDP, silky and nicely layered with pomegranate, red raspberry, ground pepper, saddle leather and exotic spices. Finishes very long showing grace and great concentration.

Lovely soft tannins and delicate spice content. Very nice wine.

Earthy, funky, lots of sour cherry. Love it.