ESTG Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Many thanks to Bob and Christina for hosting us. Food was delicious as always.

A starter as we arrived.

• 2020 Brotte Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Hauts de Barville Domaine Barville

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

  I am rarely a fan of CNDP Blanc, but this was nice. Clean. Some good freshness. I often find these heavy, but this was not.

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Bob didn't know where to slot the 1972, so he tossed it in with the 2001's. It was clearly older but also not at all uncomfortable next to the 2001's.

• 1972 Château Fortia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tête de Cru

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

  Very light. Clearly quite old. Blood, iron, rust and tapenade. Mmmm, animal, pure cherry, earth and more iron. Old. Elegant. Horse sweat emerging in time. I guessed 1980's or even late 1970's, not bad. On the whole the group was pretty critical, and it was certainly not a wine of massive depth. But it was very pretty, very pure and delicate, as close to Burgundian as CNDP gets. It reminded me a lot of a more ethereal 1979 Beaucastel I had once.

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• 2001 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Mmmm, cranberry, rust, a bit of brown sugar. Also very red fruit, a bit linear, quite focused, white pepper, a sharp finish. Upon reveal, clearly young and still rather primary. Pure.

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• 2001 Domaine Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Félix

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

  Mmm, lavender, garrigue, wow, just love the garrigue. So spicy. With air getting a bit of iodine and band-aid, the full spice market on display though. Just love this, quite stern, medicinal. Old school.

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• 2001 Château du Mourre du Tendre Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Licorice, DARK in color and personality, chewy, peppery. Mmmm, lots of body, lots of tannin. A very powerful and masculine wine.

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Wow 2007 is monstrous!

• 2007 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina

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

  Huge, spicy, powerful, a massive wall of intensity. Alcohol is quite prominent, powerful, searing. Unevolved. Upon reveal, 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre.

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• 2007 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée

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

  Mmmm, more spice market, old school, powerful, plush. Very rich. These 2007's are just massive monsters.

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These were all quite young.

• 2020 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Powerful, young, very pure Grenache, white pepper, called blind as highly reminiscent of Charvin, "I don't know anything that tastes like this other than Charvin." Let it age, this is a baby!

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• 2012 Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Etienne Gonnet

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

  Higher octane style. Very spicy, peppery, really closed and concentrated. Not my cup of tea.

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• 2019 WeatherEye Vineyards Grenache Estate

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain

  New World? Dried fruit, spicy, Seems very SQN in character. Massive white pepper, long, dry and tannic. Spicy. Soy. Savory. Very tannic.

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And some dessert to finish.

• NV Kopke Porto 20 Year Old Tawny

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Massive spirit. Spicecake. Hot. Rather tasty though.

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