TNs: Henri Bonneau & Friends ('98, '01, '06 Celestins, '01 Rayas, '90 Jaboulet La Chapelle

Got together with some of the guys last night to drink some special CdPs at Aria.
Rob Klafter was the instigator, thanks to Rob for moving back to town and whipping us in to shape!
This was a nice collection of very special wines.
I don't drink a ton of southern Rhone wine anymore, but these are special wines that I’m thankful to drink on occasion.
There were other wines (yummy Hubert Lamy!) but this was mostly about the CdPs.

A nice Thursday with fabulous wines and good fellas.

• 1990 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 95 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  From a pair of .375s...All about the earth here. Mushroom, barnyady funk. Resolved, full., and drinking nicely. Dark fruit. Some iron notes emerge. Most mature bottle on the table, and in that sense, the most reserved, but drinking as you would want Chapelle.

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• 2001 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 96 Points

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

  Stellar wine. Beautiful aromatics, asian spice and floral. Palate is so refined and elegant. Clean waves of sweet cherry fruit and wisps of acid. Drinking beautifully. Weightless., but energetic. Sails on....A CdP for Burgheads. just terrific.

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• 1998 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Célestins 96 Points

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

  Special wine. Loads of garrigue and wild floral notes on the nose. Fully evolved of its youthful brash, it is now elegant and lighter in the mouth. It's almost elegant, yet it's full on. It walks a nice balance of deep concentration and fruit without feeling overblown. Great with the venison course.

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• 2001 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Célestins 95 Points

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

  This one shows more barnyard and wild animale notes. Deep deep cherry core here with a good dose of black pepper. Coats the palate. Really began to open up with air. Needs a healthy decant or come back in 5 years. A bold adolescent. Terrific wine.

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• 2006 Henri Bonneau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve des Célestins 92 Points

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

  Still do young and primary. Lots of bramble spice and garrigue. You can feel the sappy weight of the heady fruit on this one. Comes across as more wild and untamed right now. Layers of rich fruit. Big wine. Good now, much room to improve in time imo.

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