Important Update From the Founder
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HdR Seminar 1: CdP
Hospice du Rhone
Tasted April 18, 2016 by Loren Sonkin with 445 views
Introduction
The first seminar of Hospice du Rhone was great! Jeb Dunnuck ran the seminar by himself with some help from Phillip Cambie and others in the audience. first off, Jeb was great. really knowledgeable and informative as well as funny. I didn't know what to expect from a seminar, but this was great. I learned a ton about CdP and the wines. It was great the way he led us through the terroirs of CdP in an organized manner. The wines showed well I thought. The pours were more than adequate. All told, we had about an hour. Each wine had its own glass and had been pre-poured prior to the attendees arrival.
Flight 1 (9 notes)
Red
2010 Château de la Font du Loup Châteauneuf-du-Pape
91 points
Ruby/slightly purple in color. The nose has black cherries and dust. With air some black licorice emerges. On the palate, some initial black cherries. With time, some mint as well. Some heat (it was about 10a.m.) Long cherry finish. Despite the vintage, this comes off on the elegant side which is very pretty. Lovely wine.
Red
2012 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Trois Sources
92 points
60% Grenache. Sandy soils. Cooler terroir. Traditional destemming. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is bigger with boysenberries, slight celery, slight candied notes especially on the mid-palate. Soft on the attack with black cherries. Strong tannins. Smooth finish. This is a powerful wine but at the same time has a certain softness on places that makes it accessible now.
Red
2012 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
94 points
One of my favorites from the tasting. 100% Grenache from sandy soils. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has a slight barnyard that blows off quickly. Black cherries, slight mint, hints of floral and spice. Great texture. Black raspberry fruit with cherries. Silky tannins. Smooth finish. I loved this wine and there is certainly some upside here with more development.
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Red
2010 Domaine Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf-du-Pape
90 points
65% Grenache. Ruby with some dark brown in color. The nose has saddle leather, slightly earthy, slightly vegetal with some black raspberries. On the palate, better with cherries, dried herbs. With air, black raspberries and thick tannins emerge. Slight heat. This may just be in an odd place right now. Time will tell. For now, it is very good, but I would hold for a few years to see where this goes.
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Red
2010 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau
94 points
65% Grenache. Ruby in color with slight purple swirls. The nose has cherries and slight black cherries. Great seamless texture. Great fruit. Black cherries and a salinity that is interesting. Thick tannins. Long warm, not hot finish. This is an outstanding wine with lots of upside potential. Great depth, freshness and tight complexity.
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Red
2012 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée
92 points
Ruby, purple at the core. The nose is horsey, not terrible but strong. For some it was much too much. Also some iron. Jed mentioned tomato leaf and yes, perhaps or maybe just power of suggestion. The brett does carry forward to the palate a bit. Also some black raspberries. Pegau is always one of my favorites. Some have issues with the Brett and this vintage is no exception. Buyer beware.
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Red
2012 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Papet
92 points
75% Grenache. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is tight. With air, cherries and licorice emerge. On the palate, cherries. Good cut. Firm tannins. With air cherries especially on the finish. Also some menthol.
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Red
2012 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée de la Reine des Bois
92 points
80% Grenache. Inky purple in color. Ruby at the rim. The nose has spice. With air, black cherries and strawberries emerge. Soft on the attack. Black cherries on the palate. Light tannins. Black cherries and finally some mint on the finish. Perhaps not as good as some vintages, the 2012, is outstanding and still has some upside potential to it.
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Red
2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
96 points
85% Grenache. Purple, ruby at the rim. The nose is clay with black raspberries. Also a kind of "Kool-Aid" powder quality. On the palate, firm tannins. Lots of sweet black raspberry fruit. Great texture. Gorgeous finish. This wine certainly needs a lot more time to develop but it is a star! Great wine.
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Closing
Thanks to Jeb and the HdR staff. What a great tasting.