France Trip Part 1 - Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Tasted Friday, June 16, 2006 - Saturday, June 17, 2006 by Siggy with 2,007 views

Introduction

Four of us (Ben Andersen, Dave Dalluge, Kevin Sidders, and I) visited France for a nearly two-week tour through Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the northern Rhône, and Burgundy. It was the educational and hedonistic experience of a lifetime. For the first leg of the trip, we met up in Avignon, and tasted at nine domaines over two days. The 2004 Chateauneufs look to be excellent, with superb balance and acidity. 2005 looks like another legend in the making, exhibiting extraordinary power, richness, and complexity.

Flight 1 - Domaine de la Vielle Julienne (Day 1) (7 Notes)

Flight 2 - Domaine du Pégaü (Day 1) (5 Notes)

Flight 3 - Domaine Pierre Usseglio (Day 1) (7 Notes)

Flight 4 - Château de Beaucastel (Day 1) (7 Notes)

Flight 5 - Domaine de la Janasse (Day 1) (12 Notes)

Flight 6 - Dinner @ Chateau Talaud, Loriol-du-Comtat (Day 1) (6 Notes)

  • 1989 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    (6/16/2006)

    Same bottle as Vinsanity. We opened this during a long outdoor dinner at our B&B, the Chateau Talaud, in Loriol-du-Comtat. This was a fabulous wine, with still-youthful black fruit and wonderful tobacco/leather secondary characteristics that have blossomed with bottle age. Great balance and structure; long finish.

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  • 1983 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    (6/16/2006)

    Same bottle as Vinsanity. Another treat enjoyed over dinner at Chateau Talaud. We opened this right after the 1989 Janasse VV, and it was fascinating to compare the two. The Pegau had a lighter color, with more high-toned fruit. Lots of animal, leather, and still-vibrant red fruit. Amazing finesse. Fantastic.

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  • 1976 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    (6/16/2006)

    Same bottle as Vinsanity. A treat from our hosts at Chateau Talaud over dinner. Light ruby color with lots of amber. This still had quite a bit of life left. Fairly light body, with cherries and flavors of tea that reminded me of the 1983 Beaucastel I had a few months earlier. Fully mature and fascinating.

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  • 1995 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    (6/16/2006)

    Same bottle as Vinsanity. Another treat from our hosts at Chateau Talaud over dinner. Wow, this was quite a contrast to the bottle we tasted at the domaine earlier that day. It had all the power of the first bottle, but seemed richer and more open. Perhaps this was stored in slightly warmer conditions?

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  • 2000 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    (6/16/2006)

    Same bottle as Vinsanity. Tasted side-by-side with the 2001. This wine didn't quite live up to the 1998 that I tasted several months ago. Definitely some oak and perhaps a touch of heat. Tons of power, black licorice, and deep fruit. Not quite as precise, minerally, or fragrant as the 2001 that followed.

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  • 2001 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    (6/16/2006)

    Same bottle as Vinsanity. Wow, this was a huge treat. Awesome concentration and power, without any heaviness or heat. Rich blackberry fruit, excellent acid balance and minerality. This needs at least 10 years to begin to unfold and show its stuff, but it is incredibly delicious now.

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Flight 7 - Domaine La Millière (Day 2) (4 Notes)

Flight 8 - Retail tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Day 2) (7 Notes)

Flight 9 - Bois de Boursan (Day 2) (7 Notes)

Flight 10 - Domaine de Beaurenard (Day 2) (9 Notes)

Flight 11 - Domaine Gerard Charvin (Day 2) (7 Notes)

Flight 12 - Dinner @ Le Grand Pre, Roaix (Day 2) (3 Notes)

  • 1994 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

    (6/17/2006)

    Dinner @ Le Grand Pre, Roaix. Same bottle as Vinsanity. Wow, for a base-level wine from an unheralded vintage, this was a real eye-opener. Deep dark fruit, with leather, forest floor, and dried leaves. Medium-bodied, fragrant, light on its feet. Excellent.

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  • 1989 Domaine les Goubert Gigondas Cuvée Florence

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

    (6/17/2006)

    Dinner @ Le Grand Pre, Roaix. Same bottle as Vinsanity. Amazingly youthful nose of roasted meat and black fruit. Light to medium body, with amazing finesse and elegance. Fully mature. Fantastic.

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  • 1985 Domaine les Goubert Gigondas Cuvée Florence

    France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Gigondas

    (6/17/2006)

    Dinner @ Le Grand Pre, Roaix. Same bottle as Vinsanity. Oh my goodness, this was a fabulous wine. Amazing minerality, complexity, and elegance. Red fruits, forest floor, and meat. Super-long finish. Fully mature. Fantastic, and even better than the 1989 that we opened previously.

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