Delicious and bursting with old-vine intensity; black licorice, roasted herbs & spices, and plenty of earthiness. Consumed over many hours and it never slowed down. I'm guessing it has considerably more time for enjoyment; perhaps 5 more years.
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One of the best wines I have had in years. After 18 years you might think the fruit has subsided, but, you would be wrong. Rich, vibrant, harmonizing red and black fruit characterize this beauty. How does it taste so young? Blackberry, red currant, raspberry, strawberry, and more.
Tannins are almost non-existent. The balance is perfect. I'm sure this will age well for years, but it is so good now, why would you wait?
Note: Tasting note is for a magnum.
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Decanted for 3 hours. Well integrated tannins, blackberry, licorice, garrigue. Nice acidity and structure. Very well balanced. Should drink well for another four years.
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Initially (pre-decant), the 2006 Mon Aïeul was extremely closed and tight, with very little body or fruit, displaying mostly tartness.
However 3 hours in and the wine was singing. Bright red with some garnet on the rim, suggesting of age, but in the mouth - lovely, dense red fruit, a well-rounded structure and beautifully integrated tannins. Good depth and concentration.
The nose developed throughout the meal, displaying notes of roses, leather, mocha, hay and wild herbs. Lovely and complex.
Last time around (18 months ago), I gave this a 91, this time I'm going up to 92 points on the night. Drink now, I don't see this getting better.
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I opened an '06 as well; this was better. Quite mature; brown meniscus, garnet color. It was a hit with the two women imbibing together with me. Classic Grenache C9P; seemed old school because I guess it is. I'd drink now. Many tertiary notes f interest, but the fruit will not last more than a couple of years.
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Heaps of flavour, structure a bit absent. Much better the next day, and was at a lower temperature. I'm keeping the remaining two because as the fruit gradually diminishes it might be a better match for the light structure.
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Bretty nose which became more subdued after an hour or so but never really blew off. Very rich dark-fruited palate and long finish. The funky aromatics and pruny notes knocked the overall experience. Appears to be on the downslope.
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A very nice bottle wine. Went beautifully with our honey BBQ steak rips and grilled vegetables. Not a home run but well balanced and easy drinking bottle of wine.
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Opened and decanted about 2 hours before dinner (Roasted Rack of Lamb with Risotto Milanese. Good pairing).
Lovely, traditional nose of black cherries, game, leather and forest floor. The mouth had opened up perfectly after 2 hours in the decanter (initial sip out of the bottle was very tight), and revealed a medium bodied, lush and round cuvee, with tasty dark fruit, plum, cassis, and some more game. A good 20 second plus finish and just an overall harmonious, classic CDP.
This is a well balanced and somewhat tame effort, but I was by no means blown away. Definitely in its prime drinking window and will probably go strong for another 6-7 years, but I just expected more fireworks from Usseglio's top cuvee. In a wine like this, I expect some audacity, wild aromas, intrigue and complexity, all of which were lacking. And don't get me wrong, it's a very good CDP, but just a bit too straightforward and "safe" to be considered among the greats.
Came in expecting a 93-95 point effort, but will settle for 91 points on the night.
I have another bottle which I will revisit in 2024 and see if this gets better, but my gut feeling is that this wine has met its ceiling.
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Nice but not the most expressive nose with kirsch, blackberry and spices. This is soft almost elegant for a chateauneuf and very tasty. Could be described as yummy. Ending in a long excellent finish with a lot of pepper. I dont feel there's a lot of mid palate and complexity, but it is an easy drinking sexy CNDP.
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I just ordered a 6 pack of the 2019 Mon Aieul and started thinking about what we had in the cellar. Grabbed this 2006 and did a PnP and then drank over an hour. By the end, it was a seamless expression of the soil in the vineyard. All savory elements with roasted herbs and mushrooms. Full bodied, long finish, just great. We have one more bottle which we will probably drink 2022 and then onto the 2007.
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Académie des Cinquante 65th Annual Dinner (Restaurant De Echoput, Hoog Soeren, Netherlands): Made from 100% Grenache, 100% whole cluster, raised in used demi-muids. Mature, spicy and sweet, rich but elegant, soft acidity and mild tannins, flowers, little or no noticeable oak, expressive and balanced, more volume than sheer concentration, silky texture, polished and refined, almost delicate in its way, excellent resonance and length. Fully mature but will go on.
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Nose was musty old furniture and a hint of dark fruits, so I was surprised that the flavors were rather fruit-forward and it seemed quite youthful. Cherry and raspberry fruit with only a slight hint of earth. Having also recently had the 2010 and 2015, this is more in the style of the 2015, while the 2010 shows more earth. Medium-bodied, smooth tannins, and matched up well with sous vide lamb. 93-94, and my wife gave it a "yum."
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Quite ripe with plums, oriental spices and some tobacco. On the palate it is full bodied with enough acidity to balance the opulence. Still I would drink it over the next 5-10 years, since I don't think it will improve from here.
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Dark violet. Nose crushed violets, dark fruited. Palate slight stewed fruit but still a mineral core, nice depth, and especially when chilled it was very nice to drink with cassoulet. Perhaps overripe and not one for old bones but decent with a chill now and with the right food pairing (something big boned that can stand up to this wine). 91 pts
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Nose of black berry, ink, licorice, allspice, hints of barnyard and campfire smoke, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, mouth filling fruit, soft tannins tend to subdue the richness and flavor, and a very long, long finish. Uploaded photo.
Nose of black berry, red cherry, barnyard, spice, hints of cigar box and forest floor, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, almost elegant, lovely CDP, for some reason I expected more, mouth filling fruit, a wine to sip and savor, complex nose and taste, medium finish hurt score , deep plum color in the glass, at peak or slightly past, not old, but more cellar time will not improve this wine, suggest you enjoy now, Photo uploaded.
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Wow. What a difference from my last bottle and totally in line with my 2017 note. Bright fruit wth a savory base. Seemless, long finish, perfect acidity. Probably at its peak.
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Two hour decant, the nose gives up the strong scent of anise and exotic spices. The palate is fairly tight, with slightly stringy tannins and acidity with some tension still behind it. Cherry, leather and black licorice, with medium mouthfeel and a longer finish. Very good bottle with more aging potential behind it.
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Great C9dP: my first Usseglio, beautiful depth, balance, complexity: earthy, blackberries, soft raspberry, laurel, fig, note of espresso, medium to full body, long finish!
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What a birthday treat. This was the first Mon Aiuel I ever tried back in 2008 and it shone out from a tasting of very good Rhone wines then. 12 years on, this is a real beauty. Decanted for 3 hours. A decent amount of residue in the bottle as expected. Just starting to show a bit of browning on the edges. After this a get a bit rhapsodic as the warm blackberry and tart cherry draws me in, fine tannic background supporting all the vibrant dark fruit with a touch of leather, long finish. I had less than ideal storage for it for the first 6 years that may have advanced its aging. If I had another I would be drinking it now.
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I coravined from this bottle over a year ago and have now opened it. More proof for me that the coravin does not have any negative effect on wine over time. This seems still somewhat youthful with some bright acidity and zesty tannins. Very mainstream CDP in character. Not a big fan od CDP in general but I am enjoying this more than most.
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Fully mature nose displaying subtle sweet red fruit, raspberry, raspberry jam, eucalyptus, spearmint, a hint of tobacco, sweet spices, cinnamon and mineral. Surprisingly Burgundian palate, soft and warm red fruit, medium acidity and mineral, and a medium to long soft red fruit driven finish with spearmint at the end.
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One of my favorites CnP's but this one has gone over the hill. The fruit has evolved into a port like taste, deep currants and roasted raisins. Zero tannins left. Not worth throwing out, but drink up very soon. I opened two bottles from two different retailers on the same night with consistent notes.
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Blechh. Maderized to the pint of being undrinkable. Stored properly since buying it from Benchmark nine years ago, but before that who knows? Not cheap, then, either. Secondary market buyers, beware!
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a beautiful wine in perfect shape to enjoy now seamless on the palate loads of nuanced flavors and it goes on forever note to self: always wait at least 10 yrs with cdp
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No formal notes taken as we drank it over dinner at a restaurant, but I wanted to note that it's still a baby in the tannin department. Even though it was decanted for about 2 hours and tasted wonderful, I wouldn't peg it as in its optimum drinking window yet - it's likely to open up in 3-4 years. It's a bit tight at the moment in a way that the flavors and structure are still a bit underdeveloped.
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Another terrific bottle. Ripe, rich and velvety, with notes of leather and dry earth, and a lingering finish. Still has plenty of backbone, so this wine has plenty of time ahead of it.
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PopnPour, tasted over 2 hrs, bottle from secondary market -dark ruby core, minimal bricking -muted dark fruit ripe fig whiff of maturity -med acidity, med weight nicely balanced fading crystalline black fruits licorice plum faint caramel/oxidative note, med/med- tannins with a little bit of heat on moderately long finish -impressive purity of fruit in early maturity, highlighting the darker fruit profile of the vintage
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tasted blind. translucent ruby color. Nose some stewed fruits, baking spice with some red fruits. Palate lacquered red cherries, nice acidity with some faint tannins on the finish. Felt on the downslope to me and I guessed over the hill brunello but others argued that the acidity for sangiovese wasn't there. Either way, seemed like it was in the drink-now category though perhaps there could be bottle variation. 89 pts
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Mid+ garnet mahogany to a bricking rim. A wonderful lifted bouquet filled with liquorice, mint, fenugreek, camphor and sweet garrigue (if there is such a thing!). It continues with undergrowth, dried orange peel and armfuls of lavender. The entry is cooled by dried herbs, strong menthol, camphor (Vicks rub), and black pepper. This contrast wonderfully with the firm sinewy texture and mid-palate where cumin meets a dry black toffee(!) and red fruits, wrapped in a layer of leather dryness and liquorice threads. The wine slowly unwinds, revealing brown spices, wild raspberry sprinkled with black pepper, more camphor and a fresh acidity knitting the whole wine together. This is a classy wine and one of the top CNP I have ever had. The wine is persistent and elegant with excellent concentration, tremendous depth and layered.
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What a difference from 2016. This is now a seamless, full bodied perfect representation of the terroir. All savory herbs and earth with undercurrent of black berry and fruit. Decanted for 1/2 hours prior to drinking. This should hold for years.
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Crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. Savory nose of red fruits, stones, garrigue and herbes de Provence. Medium body with acidity in spades. Fresh, powerful and concentrated. Kirsch liqueur, iron, cherries and spiced plums on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long with silky tannins. So much to like here. Stunning Chateauneuf-du-Pape from an overlooked vintage. Drink over the next 5-7 years.
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Dark red/purple color. Expressive bouquet, with notes of dry earth and citrus. On the palate, dark red fruits, pleasant earthiness and minerality, a satiny texture and good acidity. Every sip revealed something different. A terrific wine. Entering the prime zone and should be in a good place for several years or more.
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Vibrant scarlet color evolving into a rich berry-herb nose. Very light at this stage and simply voluptuous. Tannins are integrated and subtle. Lovely in every way. Benefits from a 2 hour decant. Long life ahead!
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Opened 2 hours before drinking. After a hard election night, needed some high class juice to provide context. This succeeded. Fresh plum, sour cherry, herbs, earth. Great structure, long finish. Still seems fresh so a long life ahead. Should continue to improve through 2018 and then plateau for 5+ years.
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My last note was conservative - this needed 4hrs in a decanter, returning to bottle and cooling down. Even then it continued to improve. Slight funk, providing interest but not distracting, initial heat dissipated with air to leave a very smooth and rich wine. Not the most complex, but elegant and decadent with fresh strawberry and cherry - nothing stewed or roasted. Very classy and well made pure Grenache and an utter pleasure to drink. Lacks much nose, otherwise I'd score higher but this will not be at peak until 2020. Upside if nose and complexity develop further. Some spice beginning to show (green cardamom?) but I'd finished the bottle too quickly. Drink 2020-2030. 95+pts
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This was very good, right in a great spot now. Great fruit up front, cherry, some herbal notes, bright acidity, low tannin, lighter than expected but great. Looking forward to next bottle in a couple years...
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This is a really lovely wine, and drinking perfectly. Nose is light but has bramble and dark cherry. Relatively light, but so very elegant. Not a superstar but almost Burgundian in its lightness and elegance. I expected a bigger wine; loved what I got but maybe a lesser bottle.
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Brilliant and actually quite astonishing tonight. The 2006 Cuvée de Mon Aïeul is perfectly open for business. It exhibits a rich and dark massively elegant Grenache fruit which is accompanied by kirsch, lavender, fig jam and fresh herbal tones. A total crescendo of the hallmarks of this varietal. The palate is superbly integrated with a strikingly lovely balance. Tannins are gone, or perhaps just on holiday tonight. The overall impression is very positive, but it is time to drink up. No further evolution in sight here, is at least my personal guesstimate. This is a stunning Grenache based wine which has been on a sensational track of development but perhaps reached its peak? However, it might very well last another decade in the cellar...
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FANTASTISCH!!! Nicht das fetteste was Chateauneuf zu bieten hat! Aber wunderschön elegant, frisch und trinkig, trotz 15%Vol. Wirkt noch recht jung, läßt sich aber schon sehr gut und über die nächsten 10 Jahre trinken! Keine Marmelade oder Rumtopf, eimnfach nur verdammt lecker!!!
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I've had a dozen bottles of this wine including a couple of magnums and every time it is better on day 2. Garrigue, dried savory herbs, lavender, black and red fruit, hint of nectarine, balanced, good mouthwatering acidity with an lute along persistent finish. Yum. 94-95 day one; 97-98 on day two...
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Popped a bottle and slow-oxed for 8hrs followed by another 1hr double decant. Next time try on opening and aim for 3hr double decant. This is dominated by the rich old vine Grenache - much less brett and herbs. Gorgeously rich in the mouth, and deepening with air - this continued to develop after dinner (paired very well with katsu curry). Definitely only at the start of its drinking window - some will like it like this, but for me it will improve over the next 2-3yrs and then peak for ~5yrs. I like my CdP with more age. More tasting notes to follow with next bottles - this was so damned morish that I didn't pay too much attention... Just enjoyed.
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A big flabby and boring. It didn't come across as shut down, nor was it showing any lovely silky Grenache that I've come to love from their better bottles. My firs of several from this vintage. Paired with skirt steak and followed over three hours. Drink or hold.
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Brilliant and totally astonishing tonight. The 2006 Cuvée de Mon Aïeul delivers rich, almost primary, dark massively elegant Grenache fruit accompanied by kirsch, lavender, fig jam and fresh herbal tones. The palate is totally integrated and has a lovely balance. Tannins are almost totally integrated and just ... lovely! The overall impression is very positive. This is a mind-boggling Grenache based wine which seems to be on a sensational track of development.
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Medium dark red; nose with light red fruit, slightly acidic; licorice, lots of mulberry, spiced, drying tannins at the end, power but with acidity to avoid outright jamminess; a "Christmas" wine
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I like where this heading with the nose, lots of smoky plums, kirsch, and cedar. Very floral and full of spices. I think this is a very good but not great Mon Aieul. Loaded and stacked, this lacks not for fruit or intensity, but had just a tad of heat on the finish that was a very mild distraction. Still, this gave a pretty high end drinking experience and its clearly on the plateau on the aging curve.
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Bottle needed two hours decant to open up. Very powerful yet harmonic and soft CNP. Lots of red fruit, hints of honey, some flowers. Long 30 seconds finish.
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Wonderful granache wine that seems more advanced than the last bottle I had a couple of years ago. Still very soft and nice hint of spice and mushrooms.
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very strange appearance compared to previous bottles, first cedar box which was quite dominating, behind layers of red fruit and garrigue. Finishes quite sweet but the cedar box really puzzled me, we took the bottle on holiday so was there some bottle shock from travelling?
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I took this to MO'COOL picnic in Michigan. I liked it but not as well as the previous bottle I opened in late June. That may be partly due to the bottle getting too warm before consumption. Grenache is the primary grape in this CdP.
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A beautifully complex nose of raspberry, blackberry, fig and herbes de Provence lead way to a juicy full bodied palate that is blackberry driven along with tobacco and lavender notes that linger on the finish. A wonderful bottle of ch9!
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Magnum. Slightly cloudy ruby. Ripe cherry and licorice. Sappy, full bodied, heady wine with a touch of alcoholic heat. Big and modern, but fortunately not quite over the top. Mix of sweet red and black fruit and anise. Mouth coating and long, not the most complex wine but very good. Even from this format, this seems mature.
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Easy drinking. I had it next to a 2006 Donjon and liked both but didn't take any notes at the time. I plan to open another bottle in August and will try to record some notes at that time. P.S. I found notes on a website that say the Cuvee de mon Aieul is usually from 95% old vine Grenache and 5% Syrah. The 2007 vintage (the one after this one) was from 100% tank-aged Grenache according to notes from "Wine Advocate.")
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Nearly black, this wine has a nose that evokes "very ripe Zinfandel" and seems atypical of CDP to me. A medicinal note overlays super-ripe blackberry aromas, with a very oaky background; I initially wondered if the bottle was bretty, but in the end I think just overoaked. Bitter on the front palate, then sort of silky and rich with very ripe fruit and clear signs of surmaturite, but then bitter again on the finish, which is surprisingly short. Hot finish led me to recheck the nose for VA, but in fact I don't find any VA. Still, a bit like a cocktail made with blackberry compote, liqueur, and oak chips. Drink up if you own this; it isn't improving. I gave this wine 91 on release and thought it could merit a higher score. I guess I was wrong.
Yum...like all the recent reviews...this has aged very well and nothing overly hot or high toned about it. I decanted for an hour or two and then drank over the next 2 evenings and while modern, clearly balanced with sweet red fruits, but not pruney or hot. Really very pretty
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- Ruby color with fast forming legs and aromas of black pepper, cherry, oak and strawberry. It's balanced with a medium body. Round texture with a long finish.
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Thoroughly enjoyable wine. Medium full body with some fruit compote mix of highly complex fruit flavors with an underlying sweetness of chocolate and molasses along with great grip and a long finish. Very well-made wine. Not quite as voluptuous today as the 05 but overall a better wine and one that will be good for years to come.
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Just wow! This was firing on all cylinders! Popped and poured and drank over a two hour meal at Wild Ginger. As soon as the cork was pulled, the wine filled the air around our table. Wonderfully balanced but by no means mature. Still early in its life cycle so there is plenty of fruit there, but this bottle seemed to be much more toned down and integrated than the one I had a few months ago. Just goes to prove, there is no great wine, just great bottles!
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Donkerrood, iets lichter aan de rand. In de neus kruidig, grafiet. In de smaak bosbes en laurier. Zachte tannines, bittertje in de finale. Een wat ingetogen, elegante Chateauneuf, past bij de jaargang.
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Similar to my note of 4 years ago. This still has some tannic grip on the finish, even after a 3 hour decant. Better on day 2 after being kept under pressure overnight. This will last for many years and best is yet to come. 93+
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I wish there was a radio button for 'I love it' but I had to settle for like, which is an understatement of the century. This absolutely killed the '06 Alban Reva (usually a crowd pleaser) that was shared with the same meal.
Pop and pour, but this should have been decanted. Clove and camphor on the nose; on the palate, cloves and black and blue fruit, with a medium to long finish. I have had better bottles of this a few years ago. I think it is somewhat closed now and needs time to open up, which it didn't get this evening.
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Exacting and every floor of the palate has an exceptional mezzanine. Stewed berries, cranberry, apricot, musk and river stone. Long and ultimately suave; the acidity is quite uplifting. Drink now - 2025.
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Popped and decanted for one hour. Extremely tight over the course of 2 hours. Aromas of black fruits and alcohol with flavors of mixed black fruits, leather and a hint of tar. Although enjoyable, this was way too early to drink.
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Saturday Night Double Blind (Bin 75): Dark core with dark crimson rim; blue fruit jumps out of the glass reminding me of cobbler, lots of garrigue, prune, fig, very ripe; ripe on the palate as well with hot stone, garrigue, raspberry, dense and more noble, classic Grenache finish; upon first sniff I called Usseglio (had to decipher between Raymond and Pierre), ended up calling '09 Mon Aieul due to how primary this wine still showed and was surprised that it was '06; give this some time as I feel there is some balance for some extended cellaring.
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This is the first bottle of the 2006 that I've opened, and I'm glad I only bought two. But the opportunity to mention "civet" in a review is rare... Anyhow: inky black, with roasted aromas of torrified coffee, very ripe black raspberry, earth, and a feral/musky component that I'll call civet (based mostly on the current fad of "civet coffee"...). In the mouth, very intensely flavored: super-ripe fruit, soft but very assertive tannins, a bit of a bitter finish, salty on the back end. Not a wine likely to age well... probably best to drink it like this. I'll rate it 91 because many people WILL like it, but also clicked "I don't like it" because as much as I respect it for what it is, it isn't to my taste!
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Brilliant and absolutely magnificent tonight. The 2006 Cuvée de Mon Aïeul delivers an abundance of dark mature Grenache fruit adjoined by kirsch, figs, soft herbal tones and beautiful lavender. The palate is full-bodied and super balanced. Tonight there are some rather expressive and velvety tannins appearing. Probably this depends on the food which lacked a red wine component. The overall impression is utterly positive. This is a magical Grenache based cuvée which deserves every merit it can get!
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Dark ruby, with a nose of dark fruit and steak sauce. Medium body. On first night it was a little hot. Second day, heat was gone. palate showed dark fruit and cooked meat. Long balanced finish with more acidity than I've gotten from other cdp's. Really good.
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Decanted about 4 hours. The nose seemed better to begin with and seemed to taper off over the evening. I wasn't sure what to expect here as I like big wines. This was big but seemed a bit one dimensional to me. The alcohol was covered nicely at least. Lots of monolithic dark fruits is what I picked up. The wine was enjoyable but I can't help but wonder if it'll improve. I either don't get it or I drank this way too early.
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A wonderful wine! The 06 Mon Aïeul is such a hedonistic, massive and pure expression of Grenache I am stunned. The nose is full of classy dark mature fruit adjoined by morellos, kirsch and creamy dark high octane chocolate. The palate does not disappoint with a striking balance between fruit, soft tannins and subtle acidity. The wine makes a velvety approach to the palate and just keep lingering on in the backend even after tasting other wines. Of course this effort will continue to develop, but after tonight's pleasurable performance I see no reason to refrain from having a sip - if provided the opportunity. This is a great effort!
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It's interesting, I drank this as part of a tasting of several CdPs, and drinking this after some more rustic bottles, I found it to be smooth but lacking personality. When I went back to the rustic ones after, however, they seemed rough by comparison. I guess it all comes down to what style you want; this one is made very specifically for Robert Parker (he gave it a 96, and has given better vintages 100). It's huge, sweet, boozy and silky smooth, with deep lush fruit and a buttery texture. At the end of the day I get the feeling, however, that more than one glass would just be too darn much.
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I opened this at our 10/28/12 Grenache tasting. It had a fragrant, elegant and complex bouquet of kirsch, cranberry, blackberry, mineral, licorice, herb and spice aromas. The palate was rich, powerful, layered, balanced and elegant with flavors of cherry, cranberry, mineral, licorice and spice. This was the WOTN and truly wonderful!
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Opened this bottle full of expectation after drinking the 2003 Usseglio CDP, and walked away a ted disappointed. It is a more complex wine than the CDP in many aspects, but the saltiness gets in the way. A good wine nonetheless, and I should have waited another 5 to 7 years for things to fall into place before popping. I might have set myself up for a let down this time.
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Aromas of candied, spiced berries and red plum with hints of truffle in the background. Baking spices, anise, and a bit of cherry lollipop backed with vibrant and keen acidity and mild tannins. Moderate finish. Some might like this a bit more mature when the acidity may have backed off some, but in a very good place for me.
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Decanted for about two hours. Lots of fruit and high level of alcohol, still very well balanced and just the sort of modern style everyone must like. Lots of dark berries, leather and maybe some vanilla. I think the overall judgemnt still must be smooth, rich and balanced.
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Opened and let sit in a glass for about an hour. This one smelled a bit medicinal at first and first sip (before hour in a glass) confirmed that it was tight and big. What surprised me is that it seemed rougher around the edges than I expected, earthy , spicy, thick, so roll down your socks before you take a swallow. It did mellow somewhat and the fruit finally arrived, but honestly a was expecting more. Must need some more time. I will not open another bottle for a few years.
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90 minutes. My last go with the 06 in January as a ho hum experience, at least by all MA standards, as its one of my favorite CdP’s out there. This bottle however, was flat out dynamite and conveyed perfectly everything that makes it stand apart from say Pegau or Beaucastel, the other two CdP’s I drink the most of. In essence, this was a pure, driven expression of ripe vintage Grenache, from very old vines, and without the influence of any new wood. Raspberry coulis intertwined with attractive swirls of sugar dusted plums. Added to the mix we see more traditional traits of fresh paved asphalt and just a pinch of fresh Provencal herbs. Great persistence throughout and a long finish. Upon reflection, this really is a unique wine from the standpoint that it is clearly in the “fruit first” camp, but it is delivered with such purity that I can keep my wine geek hat on, and wear it with pride.
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Game dinner with a very large group (@ TM): Beautifully concentrated and complex wine. Mostly black fruits, beautiful herbs and spices. In early maturity stage now and lovely. Drink between now and the next 10 years. A feast!
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This was drinking very young and I think it may have been too young. With that being said it also followed a Beaucastel Hommage that was just incredible and an Alban Reva which were both so full of fruit and vigor so the lineup may have played a part as well. Had no trace of that CdP funk that I appreciate from the region, this was almost like a very light domestic grenache.
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Too young, too much vanilla and wood, not allowing the underlying CdP to escape. Well made, with lots lurking to come out, just hope the modernity blows off with some age.
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One of the best CDP's I've had in a long time. 1st couple of bottles were great but the other few I've tried since then have been a little closed down. Modern style but has a classic nose. Some bottles are drinking great now but overall still seems pretty young. Sitting on the rest for a little while. 94-94pts
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Grandpappy's Blend (sounds so much better in French) is as good as always. Perhaps closing down a bit now, but still very nice. Will probably leave it alone for a while, though.
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Just amazingly good tonight. The 2006 Cuvée de mon Aïeul is a profound effort made from 100 percent old vine Grenache. The nose boasts of kirsch liquor, sun dried flowers, rose petals and morellos. The palate is vivid and voluptuous telling me the story about how good Grenache can actually be. Served to food the acidity comes forward and the wine pairs nicely to fried chanterelles, red wine reduction and filet of veal. The only thing bringing this wine from a 97-98 score is a sense of heat in the end palate as well as a subtle, but still present, over-ripe tone during the first two hours after opening the bottle. (Day 2: The acidity has truly come forward and is improving the experience, the big change though is the over-ripeness. The wine has a nose resembling an Amarone and the lovely Grenache kirsch is hidden behind a prune and raisin like veil. Maybe this will resolve with time or this was simply an off bottle. Time will tell. Score on day 2 is 89-91.)
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This wine seemed like it was in a very tight place. Hard to fully enjoy it like last time when it was bursting with ripe Grenache flavors. The alcohol also seemed a bit out of place this time. Many of the great elements are there but not in focus right now. Save it.
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This fabulous Chateauneuf du Pape was popped and poured. It only needed 20 minutes to wake up and offer an array of spicy cherries, earth, garrigue, pepper and black raspberry notes. Full bodied and richly textured, this delicious, balanced wine could use a few more years before it starts to open and drink well.
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Number two in a vertical. A bit more over the top than the 05, but still a really great CDP! Black fruit was a little pruney, but a nice classic CDP spice that I love. A bit of heat, still unresolved. Once again great Value.
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Initially muted. Thick, glycerine mouthfeel. After about an hour, really started to open up. Herbal, raspberry, kirsch, licorice, long finish. By then it was gone. Going to sit on the other bottles for another year before tapping again.
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If I was allowed to describe a wine as "adult candy" this is spot on for the 2006 Cuvée de Mon Aïeul. This is a massive and to use a parkerish expression "truly hedonistic" wine. The garrigue, herbs and kirsch are so intense I can honestly say I have never experienced a nose this typical for a good Châteauneuf. There is also an elegance in the wine; it is definitely not over-the-top but impeccably balanced. The acidity is too weak for my palate though, making the wine a bit difficult to pair with food and the end palate could have been more outspoken. To summarize: nose 98-99 points, palate 93-94. Highly recommended.
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Decanted two hours. The nose was quite delightful, very reminiscent of some baked goods from Christmas time, plums, spice cake, a slight musty scent that was not out of place, a small touch of vanilla, great nose. This has closed down some since I have last tried it two years ago, somewhat generous on the edges of the tongue, great fruit structure no doubt, but rather closed in on itself at present, tight for sure. Ok to open if you have a bunch, and are looking for a current perspective, but this CdP best days are clearly a few years down the road IMHO.
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Medium dark red; nose of licorice, deep red fruit, somewhat burned; spiced, powerful, round on the attack but quickly getting sharp, jammy, some tannin; nice, but somewhat unharmonious, somewhat burning; maybe this is what you call an alcoholic fruit / jam bomb
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WOW! Definitely one of the best I have had to date. Exquisitely balanced with dark fruit, leather, tobacco, cassis, dark chocolate. Smooth integrated tannins and mild acidity. For an 06 it was amazingly open and drinkable. We decanted for 1 hours and it just blossomed. Beautiful color but much lighter than it drank. Big bold legs and full mouth feel. Long smooth subtle finish of dark fruit and cherries. GREAT wine.
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This wine has settled down and is evolving nicely. I think the alcohol is slightly out of balance, but the wine is beautiful none the less. Amazing complexity on both the nose and palate. I am not sure this wine is a long lived wine. I think it showed best soon after it was released. Still excellent.
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Pichon and CDP at Matt's (Matt's House): This wine needs some time in the cellar but over the course of the night it improved. A nose of raspberry, garrique, rustic, coffee, spice and cranberry. Good acidity and floral notes on the finish. Still firm tannins and five years from now I will revisit.
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Pichon and CDP at my place (My House): Nose: Big licorice, pepper and graphite with black fruits and garrique. Palate: Major spice, black fruits, scorched earth and some bacon fat and smoke. Medium to long finish. Solid.
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Pichon and CDP at Matt's (Matt's house): Deep red color. Decanted for 1.5 hours, drank over 3 hours. Nose shows big licorice, garrigue, meat/game, smoke, and later cherry. The palate shows tart cherry, spice, meat. The finish is moderately long. It's hard to complain about a wine this good, but it did not show nearly as well as the last bottle, which was simply exquisite. Everything was the same; bottle variation? 94pts.
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Tasted next to 00 Beaucastel and 01 Pegau. This is much more of an international style - loads of chocolate, red fruit. Intense, with long glycerine finish.
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Popped and poured. Intense nose of raspberries, kirsch, licorice, bacon, provencal herbs. Good length, acid and tannins in balance. Very nice...2 hours on it's opened up even more. Velvety.
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Minneapolis Wine Club does Chateauneuf-Du-Pape; 9/17/2010-9/19/2010: My favorite producer from the Rhone. Another amazing showing of this wine with a nose of flowers, raspberries, spices, cherry and leather. The palate is flavorful and the fruit shines. Medium and concentrated finish and very clean. Not the classic funk of a CDP but that is fine with me on this amazing effort.
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Minneapolis Wine Club Does CDP (Shari's house): Very Dark Red color. Great nose: garrigue, lavender, spice, herbs, mild earth, leather, cherries and raspberry. Deeply concentrated with black fruits on the palate, intense flavors layering through and on the lengthy finish. What a great wine. Seamless, elegant, one to be savored all night long.
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Medium color. On the nose smoke, blackberries, violets, crushed rock and earth. Amazing concentration and complex. On the finish it shows multiple layers of flavors and has firm tannic structure. This should age for decades. Beautiful wine!
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Tom's Last Night: A Chateauneuf-du-Pape Farewell (Villa Vogel): A mouthful of profound intensity and grip. This is why I love 2006. It has it all: acid, depth, fat fruit and serious length. This was popped and poured, which didn't do this wine any favors really. But what we could taste held every indication for future greatness. Having tasted Les Serres on its own, I know now what that component gives to this wine...the mule kick. Wow. I'm not talking about alcohol here; I'm talking about how this juice sits on the palate. It just smothers everything with a tingling melange of black fruits, licorice and bitter chocolate. Already seamless, this integrated package of radicality just begs to be contemplated AND pounded down. Speechless finish. Mmmmm.
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very nice indeed, but not as profound as the last time I had this wine. complex grenache aromas of blood, raspberry, tar, smoke, earth, black fruit, and chocolate. seamless on the palate, but not as powerful as it was 18 months ago. still a great CDP and a wine that can be enjoyed now. very smooth on the palate and rich and complex. probably the best producer of CDp that I know of. surprisingly resolved and ready to drink. some heat on the nose, but exceptionally balanced and layered. nice mid-palate and long, luxurious finish. a wine of great class and beauty.
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Somewhat disappointing given the reputation of this wine. Obviously way too young. Mid plum colorto the rim. Explosive floral and fruit on the palate that seemed more burgundy than CDP. Go figure. Also a sour element on the palate. A bottle of 01 Clos du Pape this evening also had this sour element, so I assume it was me or the food paring. Good balance and structure. I am sure the tannins are there, but there was zero tannic pucker, could not detect it at all. Probably will warrant higher score as it matures, will hold off as long as possible before opening next bottle.
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Flat out fantastic once again. Paired with cassoulet from Luques, a match made in heaven. Brilliant nose. Tons of complexity. Finishes long and balanced. A can't miss wine from a very overlooked vintage.
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Decanted for one hour. Smells great. Buttermilk, blue berries, licorice, tar, cedar. Oaky, too. In the mouth a fruit-tannin-glycerin bomb. So much of everything it's too much. I will wait at least two years before i try one more, and i think it will merrit a 95+ score once the pronounced oak integrates more. By then it will still be one for the winter nights, maybe with some osso buco italian style.
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The color is completely opaque, the nose gives hints of plum and blackberry but is closed the first night and opens up more on the second. The taste is full of power and energy, so concentrated but balanced on the same time. The taste is really long and gives hints of salt licorice the first night, the second much more so. The tannins are really well integrated but don't really come alive until day two. My conclusion is that the wine is extremely young right now and I can't wait to pop my second bottle, the only problem is that I want it to have at least 10 more years in vertical position... Patience is a virtue, someone said.
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2006 Southern Rhone horizontal tasting - CDP (Crystal Wines): Alcohol : 15% Tasted Blind. Dark ruby with purplish hue. The nose is very ripe, almost caramelize / liquer like dark fruits with game, grill meat, BBQ smoke. Very ripe, but thankfully the ripeness is backing up by the strong acid that is in good shape and balance. Good richness, with mineralite, stew cherry and fig paste. Med finish. Good grip and structure. A good wine that the ripeness of this wine is pull to the extreme limit, though still pure and not over-ripe, this is way out of my liking. Buy - No.
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Showing a beautiful deep, vibrant purple color in the glass, this is a stunning Grenache with just a touch of Syrah thrown in. The aromas begin with bright cherry and raspberry fruit, licorice and floral notes then morph over hours into a deep, heady nose filled with musky spice box, darker fruits, a tinge of funk and strong meaty scents reminiscent of a smoked, buttery ham. The purity and intensity of the nose is truly compelling. The palate is filled initially with huge bright fruit, minerals and spice with a luscious, exhilarating texture. Everything is in proportion here with great balance, good acids and a fine tannic structure that leads into a very long finish
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This kicks off with a blast of fresh garrigue, herbs, olives and fruit. Good depth and body. The long cherry, strawberry finish ends withan elegant licorice note. Produced from 90 year old Grenache
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Natasha's Birthday weekend; 6/11/2009-6/13/2009 (Cabin on Mt. Hood): Supposedly the highlight of the evening, but all four of us left this scratching our heads, quite disappointed. Decanted 4 hours before first glass. Brooding, delicious smelling nose, but it is more mild and subtle than expected (which is fine). While it may not be massive smelling, it is definitely delicious... fennel, beautiful briar, hibiscus, rose, and just the slightest alcoholic heat come through. But the palate... where did it go? Shows hibiscus flower flavors, and everything else is very nondescript. Very tannic on the palate, but I was at a loss to come up with more. There was some light heat on the finish, and this was mildly dry, but wow, so nondescript. What a let down. Not sure what I'll do with my remaining bottles (including several magnums). There was nothing "off" about this bottle... just wasn't showing well. This was just decent wine; it didn't even have sexy body or anything out of the ordinary on the palate/finish. I'm honestly feeling generous with this score. The nose is what kept it up there.
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A very, very nice wine without a seam, and delicious as an accompaniment to some great pan-roasted filet. That said, I've decided I'm unlikely ever to be in love with this varietal.
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Very nice nose of ripe fruit. Medium bodied and not the "wow" wine I was expecting based on the other TN's although the wine did have finesse and unmistakable CDP characteristics of spices and garrigue. The complexity and finish improved considerably with air time.
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Color: Medium purple Nose: Smoke, floral, black fruits Taste: Smoke, floral, spices blackberries, little wood Finish: Super complex and tons of flavors Evaluation: This is a great wine 94 points
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I'm just not sure I get young CNP. This was a really big wine and I found it overwhelming. I threw it in the magnum decanter and I think the temp was still fairly low, but I just found it all too much. I don't get the classic flavors I look for in CNP, just a lot of fruit, some heat/alcohol and an edge I don't enjoy. There is a bit left and I will try that tonight.
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Very concentrated nose of ripe black cherries, roasted chicken, asian spices, licorice... in the mounth, an enormous concentration of red and black fruit, good acidity and very very long!!
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Whaouw nose of cassis sirup and smoked ham... in the mounth, very concentrated ripe black fruit, very good acidity, and very very very long aftertaste... one of the top wines of the tasting!!
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What more could you ask for in a wine? Profound depth, wonderful complexity. Black cherry, smoke, rich dark fruit, earth, coffee, tar. Dark chocolate. Intense, balanced, and beautiful. A profound expression of terroir. Better than the '03.
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Nose: Bloody roast beef, vitamin pill, bright red currant; love it! Taste: Big initial attack of amazingly pure red and blue fruit with smoke and pepper on the mid-palate and finish; Seamless, extremely long and fine, fine, fine tannins; Deep and complex; Holy crap!
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Trip to France; 10/13/2008-10/24/2008 (Burgundy, Rhone Valley (Chateauneuf-du-Pape), Paris): Grenache prominent in the nose, with cherry and raspberry with earth and game in the background. Palate was dark fruit driven, with plum and blackberry notes, and some raspberry poking through. Rather tannic now, but fine, with dense layers. A bit hot and more new world in style than the regular CdP release. Finish was lengthy and primary now, with prominent leather and earth. Excellent overall, needs some time to integrate.
I notice my notes are less enthusiastic than others on this site. Not sure if my palate was tiring at the end of the day, or if the bottle at the winery was just opened, or if it was the fact I didn't know the price or that this was their top cuvee at the time and just wasn't that impressed. This is excellent for sure, but I may need to spend more time with it to see the excitement others are seeing.
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Uncorked DK tastes Châteauneuf 2006 and Henri Bonneau (Premisse): Dark red. Intense nose of hot sand and spices. In the mouth there's good intensity, but also too much pepper and the aftertaste is too hot. Member #2 (backing singer) of the band "the spice wines". We were very disappointed when this were revealed. (G93/U93,4)
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Decanted 1 1/12 hrs. Expectations were sky high for this 06 Mon Aieul, and it delivered. Big time. The first whiff clearly let the senses know they we’re in for a contender here, as impossibly ripe and pure notes of plum and cherry liqueur dominate, sweat socks, a touch of heat, and a difficult to place sea mist trait, which re reading RMPS note identified ‘seaweed’, which worked for me. Though ripe as all get out, this baby is already balanced to its Grenache loaded core, with the sweetest strawberries one can imagine, with the supporting structure of a fresh paved brick wall. My wife noted a clay note too. Tannins must be there, but at present, they are simply dominated by the primal gushes of fruit. This wine is so young, it really didn’t display a multitude of traits or personality per se, at least not yet, but I wanted to experience an early tasting of an Mon Aieul which I would strongly recommend to anyone who is setting on a few bottles of this gem.
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Pierre Usseglio tasting (Hellerup): Dark red color with a purple hue. Soured milk product, red berries, raspberry and strawberry, and some chalk on the nose. Very young and tight in the mouth. Concentrated red fruit first on the palate. More dark fruit and pepper on the midpalate, and some tobaco leafs on the finish. Great balance and length, just needing time to open.
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Tasted from cask with Thierry Usseglio (100% grenache from Les Serres 90 years old vines and La Crau 75 years old vines and La guigasse 75 years old vines)
Very powerfull nose of ripe red and black cherries, almost jammy, very meaty, spicy with licorice... in the mounth very powerfull, lots of silky tannins... this is a top Mon Aieul and probaly even better than the great 2005!!
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Cask sample tasted with Thierry Usseglio at the domain: Powerfull nose of Licorice, ripe cherries, very elegant... soft and silky tannins with a long cherries aftertaste (93-95/100)
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2/24/2024 - Sanlucar Likes this wine: 95 Points
Delicious and bursting with old-vine intensity; black licorice, roasted herbs & spices, and plenty of earthiness. Consumed over many hours and it never slowed down. I'm guessing it has considerably more time for enjoyment; perhaps 5 more years.
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1/20/2024 - JDB Likes this wine: 94 Points
Yum
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1/20/2024 - agebob Likes this wine: 96 Points
One of the best wines I have had in years. After 18 years you might think the fruit has subsided, but, you would be wrong. Rich, vibrant, harmonizing red and black fruit characterize this beauty. How does it taste so young? Blackberry, red currant, raspberry, strawberry, and more.
Tannins are almost non-existent. The balance is perfect. I'm sure this will age well for years, but it is so good now, why would you wait?
Note: Tasting note is for a magnum.
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12/25/2023 - derrington Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 3 hours. Well integrated tannins, blackberry, licorice, garrigue. Nice acidity and structure. Very well balanced. Should drink well for another four years.
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11/30/2023 - DanielAVTL Likes this wine: 92 Points
* Decanted 3 hours before serving.
Initially (pre-decant), the 2006 Mon Aïeul was extremely closed and tight, with very little body or fruit, displaying mostly tartness.
However 3 hours in and the wine was singing. Bright red with some garnet on the rim, suggesting of age, but in the mouth - lovely, dense red fruit, a well-rounded structure and beautifully integrated tannins. Good depth and concentration.
The nose developed throughout the meal, displaying notes of roses, leather, mocha, hay and wild herbs. Lovely and complex.
Last time around (18 months ago), I gave this a 91, this time I'm going up to 92 points on the night. Drink now, I don't see this getting better.
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6/25/2023 - prism wrote: 95 Points
I opened an '06 as well; this was better. Quite mature; brown meniscus, garnet color. It was a hit with the two women imbibing together with me. Classic Grenache C9P; seemed old school because I guess it is. I'd drink now. Many tertiary notes f interest, but the fruit will not last more than a couple of years.
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5/5/2023 - john_s Likes this wine: 91 Points
Heaps of flavour, structure a bit absent. Much better the next day, and was at a lower temperature. I'm keeping the remaining two because as the fruit gradually diminishes it might be a better match for the light structure.
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10/10/2022 - grapist Likes this wine: 93 Points
Showing slight signs of age. Inviting nose, lots of fruit.
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9/7/2022 - RayOB wrote: flawed
Drank at 67
Sadly gone
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8/11/2022 - hkbob wrote: 91 Points
Bretty nose which became more subdued after an hour or so but never really blew off. Very rich dark-fruited palate and long finish. The funky aromatics and pruny notes knocked the overall experience. Appears to be on the downslope.
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6/17/2022 - TMacpherson wrote: 93 Points
A very nice bottle wine. Went beautifully with our honey BBQ steak rips and grilled vegetables. Not a home run but well balanced and easy drinking bottle of wine.
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4/24/2022 - DanielAVTL Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened and decanted about 2 hours before dinner (Roasted Rack of Lamb with Risotto Milanese. Good pairing).
Lovely, traditional nose of black cherries, game, leather and forest floor. The mouth had opened up perfectly after 2 hours in the decanter (initial sip out of the bottle was very tight), and revealed a medium bodied, lush and round cuvee, with tasty dark fruit, plum, cassis, and some more game. A good 20 second plus finish and just an overall harmonious, classic CDP.
This is a well balanced and somewhat tame effort, but I was by no means blown away. Definitely in its prime drinking window and will probably go strong for another 6-7 years, but I just expected more fireworks from Usseglio's top cuvee. In a wine like this, I expect some audacity, wild aromas, intrigue and complexity, all of which were lacking. And don't get me wrong, it's a very good CDP, but just a bit too straightforward and "safe" to be considered among the greats.
Came in expecting a 93-95 point effort, but will settle for 91 points on the night.
I have another bottle which I will revisit in 2024 and see if this gets better, but my gut feeling is that this wine has met its ceiling.
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12/10/2021 - Whitman wrote: 92 Points
Nice but not the most expressive nose with kirsch, blackberry and spices. This is soft almost elegant for a chateauneuf and very tasty. Could be described as yummy. Ending in a long excellent finish with a lot of pepper. I dont feel there's a lot of mid palate and complexity, but it is an easy drinking sexy CNDP.
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11/12/2021 - HOS Likes this wine: 97 Points
I just ordered a 6 pack of the 2019 Mon Aieul and started thinking about what we had in the cellar. Grabbed this 2006 and did a PnP and then drank over an hour. By the end, it was a seamless expression of the soil in the vineyard. All savory elements with roasted herbs and mushrooms. Full bodied, long finish, just great. We have one more bottle which we will probably drink 2022 and then onto the 2007.
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10/23/2021 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 94 Points
Académie des Cinquante 65th Annual Dinner (Restaurant De Echoput, Hoog Soeren, Netherlands): Made from 100% Grenache, 100% whole cluster, raised in used demi-muids. Mature, spicy and sweet, rich but elegant, soft acidity and mild tannins, flowers, little or no noticeable oak, expressive and balanced, more volume than sheer concentration, silky texture, polished and refined, almost delicate in its way, excellent resonance and length. Fully mature but will go on.
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10/3/2021 - Topper wrote: 93 Points
Still going strong. Very well made wine
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4/28/2021 - europat55 wrote: 92 Points
Nose: 92. Palate: 91. (Tasted blind)
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3/27/2021 - dougie Likes this wine: 94 Points
Much better than a couple of years ago. Can go a few more years, but drinking nicely with a little air.
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3/25/2021 - Crunge Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose was musty old furniture and a hint of dark fruits, so I was surprised that the flavors were rather fruit-forward and it seemed quite youthful. Cherry and raspberry fruit with only a slight hint of earth. Having also recently had the 2010 and 2015, this is more in the style of the 2015, while the 2010 shows more earth. Medium-bodied, smooth tannins, and matched up well with sous vide lamb. 93-94, and my wife gave it a "yum."
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3/1/2021 - HOS wrote: 96 Points
PnP. Took a couple of sips to open up and then it was great. Fully ready to drink.
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12/25/2020 - Jurgens wrote: 92 Points
Great, Drink next 2021
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12/14/2020 - Topper wrote: 95 Points
Best bottle of this yet, possibly best vintage I've had to date. A big, bright and completely in harmony.
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11/28/2020 - Klugi Wine wrote: 92 Points
Quite ripe with plums, oriental spices and some tobacco. On the palate it is full bodied with enough acidity to balance the opulence. Still I would drink it over the next 5-10 years, since I don't think it will improve from here.
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11/22/2020 - EMichels wrote: 87 Points
Good depth but overripe
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11/21/2020 - fred o. wrote:
Dark violet.
Nose crushed violets, dark fruited.
Palate slight stewed fruit but still a mineral core, nice depth, and especially when chilled it was very nice to drink with cassoulet.
Perhaps overripe and not one for old bones but decent with a chill now and with the right food pairing (something big boned that can stand up to this wine). 91 pts
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9/5/2020 - Frank Schneider wrote: 85 Points
No fun. Overripe. Pruny. Not nice .Had this so much better
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8/19/2020 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose of black berry, ink, licorice, allspice, hints of barnyard and campfire smoke, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, mouth filling fruit, soft tannins tend to subdue the richness and flavor, and a very long, long finish. Uploaded photo.
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7/29/2020 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of black berry, red cherry, barnyard, spice, hints of cigar box and forest floor, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, almost elegant, lovely CDP, for some reason I expected more, mouth filling fruit, a wine to sip and savor, complex nose and taste, medium finish hurt score , deep plum color in the glass, at peak or slightly past, not old, but more cellar time will not improve this wine, suggest you enjoy now, Photo uploaded.
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7/14/2020 - gresch Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank without decanting. This still has a long life ahead. Will wait 5 years for the next one.
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4/25/2020 - HOS wrote: 97 Points
Wow. What a difference from my last bottle and totally in line with my 2017 note. Bright fruit wth a savory base. Seemless, long finish, perfect acidity. Probably at its peak.
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4/9/2020 - quaffnov Likes this wine: 92 Points
Two hour decant, the nose gives up the strong scent of anise and exotic spices. The palate is fairly tight, with slightly stringy tannins and acidity with some tension still behind it. Cherry, leather and black licorice, with medium mouthfeel and a longer finish. Very good bottle with more aging potential behind it.
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4/8/2020 - Mark van Delft Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great C9dP: my first Usseglio, beautiful depth, balance, complexity: earthy, blackberries, soft raspberry, laurel, fig, note of espresso, medium to full body, long finish!
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4/4/2020 - jmh st louis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Earth, blackberry, cigar notes, long finish.
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4/1/2020 - Bing57 Likes this wine: 96 Points
What a birthday treat. This was the first Mon Aiuel I ever tried back in 2008 and it shone out from a tasting of very good Rhone wines then. 12 years on, this is a real beauty. Decanted for 3 hours. A decent amount of residue in the bottle as expected. Just starting to show a bit of browning on the edges. After this a get a bit rhapsodic as the warm blackberry and tart cherry draws me in, fine tannic background supporting all the vibrant dark fruit with a touch of leather, long finish. I had less than ideal storage for it for the first 6 years that may have advanced its aging. If I had another I would be drinking it now.
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1/11/2020 - Tannic Monster Likes this wine: 92 Points
I coravined from this bottle over a year ago and have now opened it.
More proof for me that the coravin does not have any negative effect on wine over time. This seems still somewhat youthful with some bright acidity and zesty tannins. Very mainstream CDP in character.
Not a big fan od CDP in general but I am enjoying this more than most.
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12/8/2019 - fred o. Likes this wine:
Opaque violet with light browning. Nose plummy dark fruit. Palate plummy, a bit stewed fruit, maple syrup note. Some harshness on the finish.
This particular bottle seems over the hill but likely some bottle variation. 87 pts
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12/2/2019 - dcwino wrote: 93 Points
Fully mature nose displaying subtle sweet red fruit, raspberry, raspberry jam, eucalyptus, spearmint, a hint of tobacco, sweet spices, cinnamon and mineral. Surprisingly Burgundian palate, soft and warm red fruit, medium acidity and mineral, and a medium to long soft red fruit driven finish with spearmint at the end.
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12/2/2019 - Highlander wrote:
One of my favorites CnP's but this one has gone over the hill. The fruit has evolved into a port like taste, deep currants and roasted raisins. Zero tannins left. Not worth throwing out, but drink up very soon. I opened two bottles from two different retailers on the same night with consistent notes.
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11/30/2019 - prism wrote: flawed
Blechh. Maderized to the pint of being undrinkable. Stored properly since buying it from Benchmark nine years ago, but before that who knows? Not cheap, then, either. Secondary market buyers, beware!
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11/30/2019 - bugdoced Likes this wine: 94 Points
a beautiful wine in perfect shape to enjoy now
seamless on the palate
loads of nuanced flavors
and it goes on forever
note to self: always wait at least 10 yrs with cdp
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11/15/2019 - HOS wrote: 92 Points
Opened and started drinking after an hour. Nose of stewed fruit showing oxidation. Taste of herbs and gravely notes. This bottle was past its prime.
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9/4/2019 - goodvitis.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
No formal notes taken as we drank it over dinner at a restaurant, but I wanted to note that it's still a baby in the tannin department. Even though it was decanted for about 2 hours and tasted wonderful, I wouldn't peg it as in its optimum drinking window yet - it's likely to open up in 3-4 years. It's a bit tight at the moment in a way that the flavors and structure are still a bit underdeveloped.
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8/11/2019 - klanham wrote: 88 Points
This one seemed past its prime. Not nearly as good as a couple of years ago.
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8/10/2019 - lirvingham wrote: 95 Points
Absolutely wonderful. Glad we waited on this one.
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7/5/2019 - CHINACAT wrote: 94 Points
Another terrific bottle. Ripe, rich and velvety, with notes of leather and dry earth, and a lingering finish. Still has plenty of backbone, so this wine has plenty of time ahead of it.
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2/6/2019 - Cote d'Or wrote:
PopnPour, tasted over 2 hrs, bottle from secondary market
-dark ruby core, minimal bricking
-muted dark fruit ripe fig whiff of maturity
-med acidity, med weight nicely balanced fading crystalline black fruits licorice plum faint caramel/oxidative note, med/med- tannins with a little bit of heat on moderately long finish
-impressive purity of fruit in early maturity, highlighting the darker fruit profile of the vintage
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12/8/2018 - fred o. Likes this wine:
tasted blind.
translucent ruby color. Nose some stewed fruits, baking spice with some red fruits. Palate lacquered red cherries, nice acidity with some faint tannins on the finish. Felt on the downslope to me and I guessed over the hill brunello but others argued that the acidity for sangiovese wasn't there. Either way, seemed like it was in the drink-now category though perhaps there could be bottle variation. 89 pts
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9/2/2018 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Wines Enjoyed at Pre Labor Day Celebration and BBQ (Casa de la Mata - Chicago IL): Black currant and berry with olive tapenade and black pepper. Very ripe, but this easily manages to retain its balance and brightness. Not exactly my style of wine, but well made and enjoyable. This should drink well for another decade.
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8/26/2018 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 96 Points
Mid+ garnet mahogany to a bricking rim. A wonderful lifted bouquet filled with liquorice, mint, fenugreek, camphor and sweet garrigue (if there is such a thing!). It continues with undergrowth, dried orange peel and armfuls of lavender.
The entry is cooled by dried herbs, strong menthol, camphor (Vicks rub), and black pepper.
This contrast wonderfully with the firm sinewy texture and mid-palate where cumin meets a dry black toffee(!) and red fruits, wrapped in a layer of leather dryness and liquorice threads. The wine slowly unwinds, revealing brown spices, wild raspberry sprinkled with black pepper, more camphor and a fresh acidity knitting the whole wine together.
This is a classy wine and one of the top CNP I have ever had. The wine is persistent and elegant with excellent concentration, tremendous depth and layered.
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8/18/2018 - EMichels wrote: 90 Points
Slightly sweet fruit; Stewed fruit; Raisin; Nicely balanced; Almost caramel
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7/20/2018 - HOS wrote: 97 Points
What a difference from 2016. This is now a seamless, full bodied perfect representation of the terroir. All savory herbs and earth with undercurrent of black berry and fruit. Decanted for 1/2 hours prior to drinking. This should hold for years.
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4/29/2018 - the godfather wrote:
This was as remembered, good meat wine
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4/28/2018 - JOsgood wrote:
Massive wine that is still very young. I guess this will go forever. Not my thing anymore so it is a bit hard to judge.
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2/27/2018 - tomlee wrote: 95 Points
Crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. Savory nose of red fruits, stones, garrigue and herbes de Provence. Medium body with acidity in spades. Fresh, powerful and concentrated. Kirsch liqueur, iron, cherries and spiced plums on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long with silky tannins. So much to like here. Stunning Chateauneuf-du-Pape from an overlooked vintage. Drink over the next 5-7 years.
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2/9/2018 - CHINACAT wrote: 94 Points
Dark red/purple color. Expressive bouquet, with notes of dry earth and citrus. On the palate, dark red fruits, pleasant earthiness and minerality, a satiny texture and good acidity. Every sip revealed something different. A terrific wine. Entering the prime zone and should be in a good place for several years or more.
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12/10/2017 - WinoRick wrote: 92 Points
Every bit of a 92 pointer. Years to go....
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6/21/2017 - BillyT wrote: 94 Points
Previous notes apply only it is more supple and elegant today than before. Truly a GREAT wine.
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3/25/2017 - LARich Likes this wine: 94 Points
Vibrant scarlet color evolving into a rich berry-herb nose. Very light at this stage and simply voluptuous. Tannins are integrated and subtle. Lovely in every way. Benefits from a 2 hour decant. Long life ahead!
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11/9/2016 - HOS wrote: 95 Points
Opened 2 hours before drinking. After a hard election night, needed some high class juice to provide context. This succeeded. Fresh plum, sour cherry, herbs, earth. Great structure, long finish. Still seems fresh so a long life ahead. Should continue to improve through 2018 and then plateau for 5+ years.
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10/23/2016 - JulianSkeels wrote: 95 Points
My last note was conservative - this needed 4hrs in a decanter, returning to bottle and cooling down. Even then it continued to improve. Slight funk, providing interest but not distracting, initial heat dissipated with air to leave a very smooth and rich wine. Not the most complex, but elegant and decadent with fresh strawberry and cherry - nothing stewed or roasted. Very classy and well made pure Grenache and an utter pleasure to drink. Lacks much nose, otherwise I'd score higher but this will not be at peak until 2020. Upside if nose and complexity develop further. Some spice beginning to show (green cardamom?) but I'd finished the bottle too quickly. Drink 2020-2030. 95+pts
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10/12/2016 - ruchottalex Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was very good, right in a great spot now. Great fruit up front, cherry, some herbal notes, bright acidity, low tannin, lighter than expected but great. Looking forward to next bottle in a couple years...
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7/30/2016 - rcg62 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is a really lovely wine, and drinking perfectly. Nose is light but has bramble and dark cherry. Relatively light, but so very elegant. Not a superstar but almost Burgundian in its lightness and elegance. I expected a bigger wine; loved what I got but maybe a lesser bottle.
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7/2/2016 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Brilliant and actually quite astonishing tonight. The 2006 Cuvée de Mon Aïeul is perfectly open for business. It exhibits a rich and dark massively elegant Grenache fruit which is accompanied by kirsch, lavender, fig jam and fresh herbal tones. A total crescendo of the hallmarks of this varietal. The palate is superbly integrated with a strikingly lovely balance. Tannins are gone, or perhaps just on holiday tonight. The overall impression is very positive, but it is time to drink up. No further evolution in sight here, is at least my personal guesstimate. This is a stunning Grenache based wine which has been on a sensational track of development but perhaps reached its peak? However, it might very well last another decade in the cellar...
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6/21/2016 - champussi Likes this wine: 96 Points
FANTASTISCH!!! Nicht das fetteste was Chateauneuf zu bieten hat! Aber wunderschön elegant, frisch und trinkig, trotz 15%Vol. Wirkt noch recht jung, läßt sich aber schon sehr gut und über die nächsten 10 Jahre trinken! Keine Marmelade oder Rumtopf, eimnfach nur verdammt lecker!!!
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6/20/2016 - Frank Schneider wrote: 94 Points
Voung but was a pleasure to drink !!! Wonderul nose of mint and herbs.
Medium body . Very balanced. Good finish. Hold
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3/11/2016 - jonnyoro wrote: 98 Points
I've had a dozen bottles of this wine including a couple of magnums and every time it is better on day 2. Garrigue, dried savory herbs, lavender, black and red fruit, hint of nectarine, balanced, good mouthwatering acidity with an lute along persistent finish. Yum. 94-95 day one; 97-98 on day two...
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2/9/2016 - JulianSkeels Likes this wine: 95 Points
Popped a bottle and slow-oxed for 8hrs followed by another 1hr double decant. Next time try on opening and aim for 3hr double decant. This is dominated by the rich old vine Grenache - much less brett and herbs. Gorgeously rich in the mouth, and deepening with air - this continued to develop after dinner (paired very well with katsu curry). Definitely only at the start of its drinking window - some will like it like this, but for me it will improve over the next 2-3yrs and then peak for ~5yrs. I like my CdP with more age. More tasting notes to follow with next bottles - this was so damned morish that I didn't pay too much attention... Just enjoyed.
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1/1/2016 - john_s Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fairly rich. Well liked by a diverse group though they prefered a leaner wine more (2006 Jacumin). Rich and will improve. Not amazing though.
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12/23/2015 - snipes wrote:
A big flabby and boring. It didn't come across as shut down, nor was it showing any lovely silky Grenache that I've come to love from their better bottles. My firs of several from this vintage. Paired with skirt steak and followed over three hours. Drink or hold.
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12/18/2015 - HOS Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted 1hour and drank over two. Cherry, herbs, earth. Full bodied, strong finish, nice acidic backbone. Long life ahead.
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12/5/2015 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Brilliant and totally astonishing tonight. The 2006 Cuvée de Mon Aïeul delivers rich, almost primary, dark massively elegant Grenache fruit accompanied by kirsch, lavender, fig jam and fresh herbal tones. The palate is totally integrated and has a lovely balance. Tannins are almost totally integrated and just ... lovely! The overall impression is very positive. This is a mind-boggling Grenache based wine which seems to be on a sensational track of development.
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10/23/2015 - Miceri Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium dark red; nose with light red fruit, slightly acidic; licorice, lots of mulberry, spiced, drying tannins at the end, power but with acidity to avoid outright jamminess; a "Christmas" wine
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10/4/2015 - Dale M wrote: 93 Points
I like where this heading with the nose, lots of smoky plums, kirsch, and cedar. Very floral and full of spices. I think this is a very good but not great Mon Aieul. Loaded and stacked, this lacks not for fruit or intensity, but had just a tad of heat on the finish that was a very mild distraction. Still, this gave a pretty high end drinking experience and its clearly on the plateau on the aging curve.
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10/4/2015 - Cailles wrote: 94 Points
Bottle needed two hours decant to open up. Very powerful yet harmonic and soft CNP. Lots of red fruit, hints of honey, some flowers. Long 30 seconds finish.
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8/28/2015 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderful granache wine that seems more advanced than the last bottle I had a couple of years ago. Still very soft and nice hint of spice and mushrooms.
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8/17/2015 - stofken wrote: 91 Points
very strange appearance compared to previous bottles, first cedar box which was quite dominating, behind layers of red fruit and garrigue. Finishes quite sweet but the cedar box really puzzled me, we took the bottle on holiday so was there some bottle shock from travelling?
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8/15/2015 - wondersofwine Likes this wine:
I took this to MO'COOL picnic in Michigan. I liked it but not as well as the previous bottle I opened in late June. That may be partly due to the bottle getting too warm before consumption. Grenache is the primary grape in this CdP.
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8/9/2015 - Donjcorleone wrote: 96 Points
A beautifully complex nose of raspberry, blackberry, fig and herbes de Provence lead way to a juicy full bodied palate that is blackberry driven along with tobacco and lavender notes that linger on the finish. A wonderful bottle of ch9!
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7/29/2015 - drwine2001 wrote:
Magnum. Slightly cloudy ruby. Ripe cherry and licorice. Sappy, full bodied, heady wine with a touch of alcoholic heat. Big and modern, but fortunately not quite over the top. Mix of sweet red and black fruit and anise. Mouth coating and long, not the most complex wine but very good. Even from this format, this seems mature.
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6/28/2015 - wondersofwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Easy drinking. I had it next to a 2006 Donjon and liked both but didn't take any notes at the time. I plan to open another bottle in August and will try to record some notes at that time.
P.S. I found notes on a website that say the Cuvee de mon Aieul is usually from 95% old vine Grenache and 5% Syrah. The 2007 vintage (the one after this one) was from 100% tank-aged Grenache according to notes from "Wine Advocate.")
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1/20/2015 - Niagara wrote: 94 Points
Drinking really well now.
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1/6/2015 - Lord Rodney wrote: 89 Points
Feeling hot and a bit pruney now. Just one bottle left thank god!
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9/1/2014 - KPB wrote: 88 Points
Nearly black, this wine has a nose that evokes "very ripe Zinfandel" and seems atypical of CDP to me. A medicinal note overlays super-ripe blackberry aromas, with a very oaky background; I initially wondered if the bottle was bretty, but in the end I think just overoaked. Bitter on the front palate, then sort of silky and rich with very ripe fruit and clear signs of surmaturite, but then bitter again on the finish, which is surprisingly short. Hot finish led me to recheck the nose for VA, but in fact I don't find any VA. Still, a bit like a cocktail made with blackberry compote, liqueur, and oak chips. Drink up if you own this; it isn't improving. I gave this wine 91 on release and thought it could merit a higher score. I guess I was wrong.
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7/17/2014 - Diane (LI) wrote:
Too tannic too enjoy. Fruit was camouflaged and I hope it can hang in there for the tannins to soften.
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5/19/2014 - Mr T wrote:
Yum...like all the recent reviews...this has aged very well and nothing overly hot or high toned about it. I decanted for an hour or two and then drank over the next 2 evenings and while modern, clearly balanced with sweet red fruits, but not pruney or hot. Really very pretty
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3/31/2014 - pato84 wrote: 95 Points
- Ruby color with fast forming legs and aromas of black pepper, cherry, oak and strawberry. It's balanced with a medium body. Round texture with a long finish.
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3/1/2014 - Topper wrote: 94 Points
Thoroughly enjoyable wine. Medium full body with some fruit compote mix of highly complex fruit flavors with an underlying sweetness of chocolate and molasses along with great grip and a long finish. Very well-made wine. Not quite as voluptuous today as the 05 but overall a better wine and one that will be good for years to come.
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2/27/2014 - aagrawal wrote: 90 Points
WineBerserkers Rhone Tasting; 2/26/2014-2/27/2014 (The Palace, Mission, SF): Slight VA, cherry fruit, slight meaty; palate has young but enjoyable tannin, great cherry fruit, finish is medium length. Nice to drink, but needs time to develop into something more. 90-91
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2/21/2014 - EMichels wrote: 92 Points
Nice definition; Not showing any of the over-the-top richness I've come to associate with modern CdP; A bit of browning but showing young
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2/16/2014 - JOsgood wrote:
Still drinking very young. Rich and powerful Grenache. Lengthy finish.
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2/8/2014 - Red Mountain Man wrote: 95 Points
Just wow! This was firing on all cylinders! Popped and poured and drank over a two hour meal at Wild Ginger. As soon as the cork was pulled, the wine filled the air around our table. Wonderfully balanced but by no means mature. Still early in its life cycle so there is plenty of fruit there, but this bottle seemed to be much more toned down and integrated than the one I had a few months ago. Just goes to prove, there is no great wine, just great bottles!
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1/25/2014 - Strikermax wrote: 92 Points
Donkerrood, iets lichter aan de rand. In de neus kruidig, grafiet. In de smaak bosbes en laurier. Zachte tannines, bittertje in de finale. Een wat ingetogen, elegante Chateauneuf, past bij de jaargang.
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1/12/2014 - signotim Likes this wine: 93 Points
Similar to my note of 4 years ago. This still has some tannic grip on the finish, even after a 3 hour decant. Better on day 2 after being kept under pressure overnight. This will last for many years and best is yet to come. 93+
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1/9/2014 - kanab ram Likes this wine:
I wish there was a radio button for 'I love it' but I had to settle for like, which is an understatement of the century. This absolutely killed the '06 Alban Reva (usually a crowd pleaser) that was shared with the same meal.
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1/3/2014 - Lord Rodney wrote: 93 Points
Still a wonderful wine!
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12/2/2013 - the godfather wrote:
This is a good wine but not very elegant
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11/25/2013 - RichardP wrote: 89 Points
Pop and pour, but this should have been decanted. Clove and camphor on the nose; on the palate, cloves and black and blue fruit, with a medium to long finish. I have had better bottles of this a few years ago. I think it is somewhat closed now and needs time to open up, which it didn't get this evening.
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10/26/2013 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 95 Points
In Wailea...
Exacting and every floor of the palate has an exceptional mezzanine. Stewed berries, cranberry, apricot, musk and river stone. Long and ultimately suave; the acidity is quite uplifting. Drink now - 2025.
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10/25/2013 - rwstorer wrote: 89 Points
Popped and decanted for one hour. Extremely tight over the course of 2 hours. Aromas of black fruits and alcohol with flavors of mixed black fruits, leather and a hint of tar. Although enjoyable, this was way too early to drink.
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8/31/2013 - Rezy13 wrote:
Saturday Night Double Blind (Bin 75): Dark core with dark crimson rim; blue fruit jumps out of the glass reminding me of cobbler, lots of garrigue, prune, fig, very ripe; ripe on the palate as well with hot stone, garrigue, raspberry, dense and more noble, classic Grenache finish; upon first sniff I called Usseglio (had to decipher between Raymond and Pierre), ended up calling '09 Mon Aieul due to how primary this wine still showed and was surprised that it was '06; give this some time as I feel there is some balance for some extended cellaring.
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8/4/2013 - KPB Does not like this wine: 91 Points
This is the first bottle of the 2006 that I've opened, and I'm glad I only bought two. But the opportunity to mention "civet" in a review is rare... Anyhow: inky black, with roasted aromas of torrified coffee, very ripe black raspberry, earth, and a feral/musky component that I'll call civet (based mostly on the current fad of "civet coffee"...). In the mouth, very intensely flavored: super-ripe fruit, soft but very assertive tannins, a bit of a bitter finish, salty on the back end. Not a wine likely to age well... probably best to drink it like this. I'll rate it 91 because many people WILL like it, but also clicked "I don't like it" because as much as I respect it for what it is, it isn't to my taste!
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7/29/2013 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Brilliant and absolutely magnificent tonight. The 2006 Cuvée de Mon Aïeul delivers an abundance of dark mature Grenache fruit adjoined by kirsch, figs, soft herbal tones and beautiful lavender. The palate is full-bodied and super balanced. Tonight there are some rather expressive and velvety tannins appearing. Probably this depends on the food which lacked a red wine component. The overall impression is utterly positive. This is a magical Grenache based cuvée which deserves every merit it can get!
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7/20/2013 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark fruits with expressive nose of forest floor. Great meaty presence and moderate tannic structure. Great example of Grenache. Long life ahead
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5/28/2013 - WDK wrote: 93 Points
Dark ruby, with a nose of dark fruit and steak sauce. Medium body. On first night it was a little hot. Second day, heat was gone. palate showed dark fruit and cooked meat. Long balanced finish with more acidity than I've gotten from other cdp's. Really good.
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5/22/2013 - TMacpherson wrote: flawed
Corked
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4/22/2013 - Gabe wrote: 91 Points
Decanted about 4 hours. The nose seemed better to begin with and seemed to taper off over the evening. I wasn't sure what to expect here as I like big wines. This was big but seemed a bit one dimensional to me. The alcohol was covered nicely at least. Lots of monolithic dark fruits is what I picked up. The wine was enjoyable but I can't help but wonder if it'll improve. I either don't get it or I drank this way too early.
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2/2/2013 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine: 96 Points
A wonderful wine! The 06 Mon Aïeul is such a hedonistic, massive and pure expression of Grenache I am stunned. The nose is full of classy dark mature fruit adjoined by morellos, kirsch and creamy dark high octane chocolate. The palate does not disappoint with a striking balance between fruit, soft tannins and subtle acidity. The wine makes a velvety approach to the palate and just keep lingering on in the backend even after tasting other wines. Of course this effort will continue to develop, but after tonight's pleasurable performance I see no reason to refrain from having a sip - if provided the opportunity. This is a great effort!
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11/30/2012 - lifeattable wrote: 91 Points
It's interesting, I drank this as part of a tasting of several CdPs, and drinking this after some more rustic bottles, I found it to be smooth but lacking personality. When I went back to the rustic ones after, however, they seemed rough by comparison. I guess it all comes down to what style you want; this one is made very specifically for Robert Parker (he gave it a 96, and has given better vintages 100). It's huge, sweet, boozy and silky smooth, with deep lush fruit and a buttery texture. At the end of the day I get the feeling, however, that more than one glass would just be too darn much.
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11/10/2012 - the godfather wrote:
a little shut down right now but phenomenal nonetheless
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10/28/2012 - garambler wrote: 94 Points
I opened this at our 10/28/12 Grenache tasting. It had a fragrant, elegant and complex bouquet of kirsch, cranberry, blackberry, mineral, licorice, herb and spice aromas. The palate was rich, powerful, layered, balanced and elegant with flavors of cherry, cranberry, mineral, licorice and spice. This was the WOTN and truly wonderful!
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10/28/2012 - cubswinws wrote: 94 Points
Really nice. Great fruit and wonderfully provancial spice and herbs. Really enjoyable.
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10/27/2012 - cab_fran Likes this wine: 96 Points
Tremendous CdP, hit it right at first peak (6 yrs) after 1 hr decant. Great fruit and structure. Enjoyed this delicious wine with steak kabobs.
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8/2/2012 - Lord Rodney wrote: 94 Points
More open and fruity than last time. A very rustic kind of wine but very enjoyable nevertheless! :-)
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6/10/2012 - Philip Yang wrote: 92 Points
Opened this bottle full of expectation after drinking the 2003 Usseglio CDP, and walked away a ted disappointed. It is a more complex wine than the CDP in many aspects, but the saltiness gets in the way. A good wine nonetheless, and I should have waited another 5 to 7 years for things to fall into place before popping. I might have set myself up for a let down this time.
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5/22/2012 - dekay wrote: 94 Points
Aromas of candied, spiced berries and red plum with hints of truffle in the background. Baking spices, anise, and a bit of cherry lollipop backed with vibrant and keen acidity and mild tannins. Moderate finish. Some might like this a bit more mature when the acidity may have backed off some, but in a very good place for me.
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2/17/2012 - MightyMike wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for about two hours. Lots of fruit and high level of alcohol, still very well balanced and just the sort of modern style everyone must like. Lots of dark berries, leather and maybe some vanilla. I think the overall judgemnt still must be smooth, rich and balanced.
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1/16/2012 - WEL3 wrote: 91 Points
Opened and let sit in a glass for about an hour. This one smelled a bit medicinal at first and first sip (before hour in a glass) confirmed that it was tight and big. What surprised me is that it seemed rougher around the edges than I expected, earthy , spicy, thick, so roll down your socks before you take a swallow. It did mellow somewhat and the fruit finally arrived, but honestly a was expecting more. Must need some more time. I will not open another bottle for a few years.
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1/6/2012 - WineScoundrel wrote: 94 Points
Gorgeous, with the anticipation of spectacular. 94++
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12/23/2011 - Dale M wrote: 95 Points
90 minutes. My last go with the 06 in January as a ho hum experience, at least by all MA standards, as its one of my favorite CdP’s out there. This bottle however, was flat out dynamite and conveyed perfectly everything that makes it stand apart from say Pegau or Beaucastel, the other two CdP’s I drink the most of. In essence, this was a pure, driven expression of ripe vintage Grenache, from very old vines, and without the influence of any new wood. Raspberry coulis intertwined with attractive swirls of sugar dusted plums. Added to the mix we see more traditional traits of fresh paved asphalt and just a pinch of fresh Provencal herbs. Great persistence throughout and a long finish. Upon reflection, this really is a unique wine from the standpoint that it is clearly in the “fruit first” camp, but it is delivered with such purity that I can keep my wine geek hat on, and wear it with pride.
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11/25/2011 - Zweder wrote: 95 Points
Game dinner with a very large group (@ TM): Beautifully concentrated and complex wine. Mostly black fruits, beautiful herbs and spices. In early maturity stage now and lovely. Drink between now and the next 10 years. A feast!
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11/19/2011 - twelch wrote: 91 Points
This was drinking very young and I think it may have been too young. With that being said it also followed a Beaucastel Hommage that was just incredible and an Alban Reva which were both so full of fruit and vigor so the lineup may have played a part as well. Had no trace of that CdP funk that I appreciate from the region, this was almost like a very light domestic grenache.
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11/13/2011 - cadamson wrote: 90 Points
Too young, too much vanilla and wood, not allowing the underlying CdP to escape. Well made, with lots lurking to come out, just hope the modernity blows off with some age.
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10/27/2011 - beachnic wrote: 94 Points
One of the best CDP's I've had in a long time. 1st couple of bottles were great but the other few I've tried since then have been a little closed down. Modern style but has a classic nose. Some bottles are drinking great now but overall still seems pretty young. Sitting on the rest for a little while. 94-94pts
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9/17/2011 - the godfather wrote:
I love this wine
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9/4/2011 - JOsgood wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic Mon Aieul. Excellent right now and definitely has the stuffing to age well.
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9/4/2011 - the godfather wrote:
one of my all time favorites cndp's. 06 rocks
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9/3/2011 - Niagara wrote: 94 Points
Grandpappy's Blend (sounds so much better in French) is as good as always. Perhaps closing down a bit now, but still very nice. Will probably leave it alone for a while, though.
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8/27/2011 - Christoffer78 wrote: 95 Points
Just amazingly good tonight. The 2006 Cuvée de mon Aïeul is a profound effort made from 100 percent old vine Grenache. The nose boasts of kirsch liquor, sun dried flowers, rose petals and morellos. The palate is vivid and voluptuous telling me the story about how good Grenache can actually be. Served to food the acidity comes forward and the wine pairs nicely to fried chanterelles, red wine reduction and filet of veal. The only thing bringing this wine from a 97-98 score is a sense of heat in the end palate as well as a subtle, but still present, over-ripe tone during the first two hours after opening the bottle. (Day 2: The acidity has truly come forward and is improving the experience, the big change though is the over-ripeness. The wine has a nose resembling an Amarone and the lovely Grenache kirsch is hidden behind a prune and raisin like veil. Maybe this will resolve with time or this was simply an off bottle. Time will tell. Score on day 2 is 89-91.)
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8/22/2011 - Lord Rodney wrote: 93 Points
This wine seemed like it was in a very tight place. Hard to fully enjoy it like last time when it was bursting with ripe Grenache flavors. The alcohol also seemed a bit out of place this time. Many of the great elements are there but not in focus right now. Save it.
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8/11/2011 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
This fabulous Chateauneuf du Pape was popped and poured. It only needed 20 minutes to wake up and offer an array of spicy cherries, earth, garrigue, pepper and black raspberry notes. Full bodied and richly textured, this delicious, balanced wine could use a few more years before it starts to open and drink well.
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3/24/2011 - GCru wrote: 93 Points
Number two in a vertical. A bit more over the top than the 05, but still a really great CDP! Black fruit was a little pruney, but a nice classic CDP spice that I love. A bit of heat, still unresolved. Once again great Value.
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3/6/2011 - the godfather wrote:
been sick all week but still really like
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2/25/2011 - VindependenceDay wrote: 92 Points
Initially muted. Thick, glycerine mouthfeel. After about an hour, really started to open up. Herbal, raspberry, kirsch, licorice, long finish. By then it was gone. Going to sit on the other bottles for another year before tapping again.
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2/12/2011 - Niagara wrote: 94 Points
Zesty and yet rich and full, loads of stewed cherries and earth.
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1/14/2011 - Christoffer78 Likes this wine: 95 Points
If I was allowed to describe a wine as "adult candy" this is spot on for the 2006 Cuvée de Mon Aïeul. This is a massive and to use a parkerish expression "truly hedonistic" wine. The garrigue, herbs and kirsch are so intense I can honestly say I have never experienced a nose this typical for a good Châteauneuf. There is also an elegance in the wine; it is definitely not over-the-top but impeccably balanced. The acidity is too weak for my palate though, making the wine a bit difficult to pair with food and the end palate could have been more outspoken. To summarize: nose 98-99 points, palate 93-94. Highly recommended.
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1/8/2011 - bambam wrote: 93 Points
Late new year's party at Casa bambam: Plum, black fruits, and some spicy burnt flavors. This is drinking well now but has many more years ahead of it.
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1/7/2011 - Dale M wrote: 94 Points
Decanted two hours. The nose was quite delightful, very reminiscent of some baked goods from Christmas time, plums, spice cake, a slight musty scent that was not out of place, a small touch of vanilla, great nose. This has closed down some since I have last tried it two years ago, somewhat generous on the edges of the tongue, great fruit structure no doubt, but rather closed in on itself at present, tight for sure. Ok to open if you have a bunch, and are looking for a current perspective, but this CdP best days are clearly a few years down the road IMHO.
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12/5/2010 - Miceri wrote: 88 Points
Medium dark red; nose of licorice, deep red fruit, somewhat burned; spiced, powerful, round on the attack but quickly getting sharp, jammy, some tannin; nice, but somewhat unharmonious, somewhat burning; maybe this is what you call an alcoholic fruit / jam bomb
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11/22/2010 - BillyT wrote: 94 Points
WOW! Definitely one of the best I have had to date. Exquisitely balanced with dark fruit, leather, tobacco, cassis, dark chocolate. Smooth integrated tannins and mild acidity. For an 06 it was amazingly open and drinkable. We decanted for 1 hours and it just blossomed. Beautiful color but much lighter than it drank. Big bold legs and full mouth feel. Long smooth subtle finish of dark fruit and cherries. GREAT wine.
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11/12/2010 - pian0_player wrote: 96 Points
This wine has settled down and is evolving nicely. I think the alcohol is slightly out of balance, but the wine is beautiful none the less. Amazing complexity on both the nose and palate. I am not sure this wine is a long lived wine. I think it showed best soon after it was released. Still excellent.
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11/11/2010 - cardsandwine wrote:
Very good wine. Spice and pepper well balanced and integrated on the palate. Finishes a bit short. Not as good as the 2003, at least at this time.
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11/2/2010 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 93 Points
Pichon and CDP at Matt's (Matt's House): This wine needs some time in the cellar but over the course of the night it improved. A nose of raspberry, garrique, rustic, coffee, spice and cranberry. Good acidity and floral notes on the finish. Still firm tannins and five years from now I will revisit.
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10/30/2010 - Mattshank wrote: 93 Points
Pichon and CDP at my place (My House): Nose: Big licorice, pepper and graphite with black fruits and garrique. Palate: Major spice, black fruits, scorched earth and some bacon fat and smoke. Medium to long finish. Solid.
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10/30/2010 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Pichon and CDP at Matt's (Matt's house): Deep red color. Decanted for 1.5 hours, drank over 3 hours. Nose shows big licorice, garrigue, meat/game, smoke, and later cherry. The palate shows tart cherry, spice, meat. The finish is moderately long. It's hard to complain about a wine this good, but it did not show nearly as well as the last bottle, which was simply exquisite. Everything was the same; bottle variation? 94pts.
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10/8/2010 - VindependenceDay wrote: 95 Points
Tasted next to 00 Beaucastel and 01 Pegau. This is much more of an international style - loads of chocolate, red fruit. Intense, with long glycerine finish.
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10/2/2010 - VindependenceDay wrote: 94 Points
Popped and poured. Intense nose of raspberries, kirsch, licorice, bacon, provencal herbs. Good length, acid and tannins in balance. Very nice...2 hours on it's opened up even more. Velvety.
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9/19/2010 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 95 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club does Chateauneuf-Du-Pape; 9/17/2010-9/19/2010: My favorite producer from the Rhone. Another amazing showing of this wine with a nose of flowers, raspberries, spices, cherry and leather. The palate is flavorful and the fruit shines. Medium and concentrated finish and very clean. Not the classic funk of a CDP but that is fine with me on this amazing effort.
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9/18/2010 - rocknroller wrote: 96 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club Does CDP (Shari's house): Very Dark Red color. Great nose: garrigue, lavender, spice, herbs, mild earth, leather, cherries and raspberry. Deeply concentrated with black fruits on the palate, intense flavors layering through and on the lengthy finish. What a great wine. Seamless, elegant, one to be savored all night long.
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7/7/2010 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 95 Points
Medium color. On the nose smoke, blackberries, violets, crushed rock and earth. Amazing concentration and complex. On the finish it shows multiple layers of flavors and has firm tannic structure. This should age for decades. Beautiful wine!
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6/22/2010 - jvogel wrote:
Tom's Last Night: A Chateauneuf-du-Pape Farewell (Villa Vogel): A mouthful of profound intensity and grip. This is why I love 2006. It has it all: acid, depth, fat fruit and serious length. This was popped and poured, which didn't do this wine any favors really. But what we could taste held every indication for future greatness. Having tasted Les Serres on its own, I know now what that component gives to this wine...the mule kick. Wow. I'm not talking about alcohol here; I'm talking about how this juice sits on the palate. It just smothers everything with a tingling melange of black fruits, licorice and bitter chocolate. Already seamless, this integrated package of radicality just begs to be contemplated AND pounded down. Speechless finish. Mmmmm.
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5/13/2010 - Rani Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Dark and a little too sweet, I found this to lack acidity and a little dull. The 2007 and 2004 are much better. Next.
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4/25/2010 - pian0_player wrote: 95 Points
very nice indeed, but not as profound as the last time I had this wine. complex grenache aromas of blood, raspberry, tar, smoke, earth, black fruit, and chocolate. seamless on the palate, but not as powerful as it was 18 months ago. still a great CDP and a wine that can be enjoyed now. very smooth on the palate and rich and complex. probably the best producer of CDp that I know of. surprisingly resolved and ready to drink. some heat on the nose, but exceptionally balanced and layered. nice mid-palate and long, luxurious finish. a wine of great class and beauty.
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3/19/2010 - vintage61 wrote: 91 Points
Somewhat disappointing given the reputation of this wine. Obviously way too young. Mid plum colorto the rim. Explosive floral and fruit on the palate that seemed more burgundy than CDP. Go figure. Also a sour element on the palate. A bottle of 01 Clos du Pape this evening also had this sour element, so I assume it was me or the food paring. Good balance and structure. I am sure the tannins are there, but there was zero tannic pucker, could not detect it at all. Probably will warrant higher score as it matures, will hold off as long as possible before opening next bottle.
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2/28/2010 - the godfather wrote: 96 Points
This wine is ridiculously good. Great balance, huge nose, big finish, and food friendly
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2/28/2010 - JOsgood wrote: 96 Points
Flat out fantastic once again. Paired with cassoulet from Luques, a match made in heaven. Brilliant nose. Tons of complexity. Finishes long and balanced. A can't miss wine from a very overlooked vintage.
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2/28/2010 - signotim wrote: 93 Points
deep ruby red. cherry liqueur on the nose. more sweet cherry and dusty herbs and spices on the palate. long finish.
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2/19/2010 - Red Mountain Man wrote: 95 Points
Holy Shi@ this was great! Massive raspberry and grenache goodness on the nose and palate. Down the hatch like butter....got to get more of this!
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1/24/2010 - Dr. Rislin wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for one hour. Smells great. Buttermilk, blue berries, licorice, tar, cedar. Oaky, too. In the mouth a fruit-tannin-glycerin bomb. So much of everything it's too much. I will wait at least two years before i try one more, and i think it will merrit a 95+ score once the pronounced oak integrates more. By then it will still be one for the winter nights, maybe with some osso buco italian style.
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11/8/2009 - AndersZ wrote: 96 Points
The color is completely opaque, the nose gives hints of plum and blackberry but is closed the first night and opens up more on the second. The taste is full of power and energy, so concentrated but balanced on the same time. The taste is really long and gives hints of salt licorice the first night, the second much more so. The tannins are really well integrated but don't really come alive until day two. My conclusion is that the wine is extremely young right now and I can't wait to pop my second bottle, the only problem is that I want it to have at least 10 more years in vertical position... Patience is a virtue, someone said.
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11/5/2009 - Employee500 wrote: 93 Points
Outstanding, but a bit too packed and rich at this point to be incredibly expressive--though delicious in its richness and intensity.
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9/17/2009 - Sleepy Dave wrote:
2006 Southern Rhone horizontal tasting - CDP (Crystal Wines): Alcohol : 15%
Tasted Blind. Dark ruby with purplish hue. The nose is very ripe, almost caramelize / liquer like dark fruits with game, grill meat, BBQ smoke. Very ripe, but thankfully the ripeness is backing up by the strong acid that is in good shape and balance. Good richness, with mineralite, stew cherry and fig paste. Med finish. Good grip and structure. A good wine that the ripeness of this wine is pull to the extreme limit, though still pure and not over-ripe, this is way out of my liking. Buy - No.
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7/6/2009 - 1981er wrote: 96 Points
Showing a beautiful deep, vibrant purple color in the glass, this is a stunning Grenache with just a touch of Syrah thrown in. The aromas begin with bright cherry and raspberry fruit, licorice and floral notes then morph over hours into a deep, heady nose filled with musky spice box, darker fruits, a tinge of funk and strong meaty scents reminiscent of a smoked, buttery ham. The purity and intensity of the nose is truly compelling. The palate is filled initially with huge bright fruit, minerals and spice with a luscious, exhilarating texture. Everything is in proportion here with great balance, good acids and a fine tannic structure that leads into a very long finish
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7/3/2009 - scamhi wrote:
decanted for 3 hours. wow meaty robust CDP. dark red fruit, excellent. Still showing some heat.very full complex taste. no regret about this bottle.
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7/1/2009 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
This kicks off with a blast of fresh garrigue, herbs, olives and fruit. Good depth and body. The long cherry, strawberry finish ends withan elegant licorice note. Produced from 90 year old Grenache
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6/12/2009 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 91 Points
Natasha's Birthday weekend; 6/11/2009-6/13/2009 (Cabin on Mt. Hood): Supposedly the highlight of the evening, but all four of us left this scratching our heads, quite disappointed. Decanted 4 hours before first glass. Brooding, delicious smelling nose, but it is more mild and subtle than expected (which is fine). While it may not be massive smelling, it is definitely delicious... fennel, beautiful briar, hibiscus, rose, and just the slightest alcoholic heat come through. But the palate... where did it go? Shows hibiscus flower flavors, and everything else is very nondescript. Very tannic on the palate, but I was at a loss to come up with more. There was some light heat on the finish, and this was mildly dry, but wow, so nondescript. What a let down. Not sure what I'll do with my remaining bottles (including several magnums). There was nothing "off" about this bottle... just wasn't showing well. This was just decent wine; it didn't even have sexy body or anything out of the ordinary on the palate/finish. I'm honestly feeling generous with this score. The nose is what kept it up there.
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5/6/2009 - nvandyk wrote:
A very, very nice wine without a seam, and delicious as an accompaniment to some great pan-roasted filet. That said, I've decided I'm unlikely ever to be in love with this varietal.
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5/4/2009 - MattJ wrote: 91 Points
Very nice nose of ripe fruit. Medium bodied and not the "wow" wine I was expecting based on the other TN's although the wine did have finesse and unmistakable CDP characteristics of spices and garrigue. The complexity and finish improved considerably with air time.
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4/26/2009 - Philippe_C wrote: 97 Points
Nose of tobacco leaves, ripe red fruit, roasted meat... in the mounth, loads of ripe red fruit, very fresh acidity, absolutely great wine!!
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2/18/2009 - carlwhat wrote: 96 Points
gorgeous young CDP. dense and meaty, but great delineation... beautiful wine.
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1/23/2009 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 94 Points
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Smoke, floral, black fruits
Taste: Smoke, floral, spices blackberries, little wood
Finish: Super complex and tons of flavors
Evaluation: This is a great wine 94 points
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12/25/2008 - Mr T wrote:
I'm just not sure I get young CNP. This was a really big wine and I found it overwhelming. I threw it in the magnum decanter and I think the temp was still fairly low, but I just found it all too much. I don't get the classic flavors I look for in CNP, just a lot of fruit, some heat/alcohol and an edge I don't enjoy. There is a bit left and I will try that tonight.
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12/20/2008 - Philippe_C wrote: 97 Points
Very concentrated nose of ripe black cherries, roasted chicken, asian spices, licorice... in the mounth, an enormous concentration of red and black fruit, good acidity and very very long!!
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12/13/2008 - Zweder wrote: 94 Points
Full bodied. Soft tannin. Complex. Textbook C9. Plenty of future. No more notes; too busy enjoying.
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12/6/2008 - cookie7 wrote:
Popped and poured into a decanter for 45 minutes. Very aromatic nose, wonderful body nice long finish. Still young but great.
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11/30/2008 - Philippe_C wrote: 98 Points
Whaouw nose of cassis sirup and smoked ham... in the mounth, very concentrated ripe black fruit, very good acidity, and very very very long aftertaste... one of the top wines of the tasting!!
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11/15/2008 - pian0_player wrote: 98 Points
What more could you ask for in a wine? Profound depth, wonderful complexity. Black cherry, smoke, rich dark fruit, earth, coffee, tar. Dark chocolate. Intense, balanced, and beautiful. A profound expression of terroir. Better than the '03.
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10/26/2008 - carnyc wrote: 96 Points
Nose: Bloody roast beef, vitamin pill, bright red currant; love it!
Taste: Big initial attack of amazingly pure red and blue fruit with smoke and pepper on the mid-palate and finish; Seamless, extremely long and fine, fine, fine tannins; Deep and complex; Holy crap!
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10/21/2008 - Nutty08 wrote: 90 Points
Trip to France; 10/13/2008-10/24/2008 (Burgundy, Rhone Valley (Chateauneuf-du-Pape), Paris): Grenache prominent in the nose, with cherry and raspberry with earth and game in the background. Palate was dark fruit driven, with plum and blackberry notes, and some raspberry poking through. Rather tannic now, but fine, with dense layers. A bit hot and more new world in style than the regular CdP release. Finish was lengthy and primary now, with prominent leather and earth. Excellent overall, needs some time to integrate.
I notice my notes are less enthusiastic than others on this site. Not sure if my palate was tiring at the end of the day, or if the bottle at the winery was just opened, or if it was the fact I didn't know the price or that this was their top cuvee at the time and just wasn't that impressed. This is excellent for sure, but I may need to spend more time with it to see the excitement others are seeing.
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9/12/2008 - gorm wrote: 93 Points
Uncorked DK tastes Châteauneuf 2006 and Henri Bonneau (Premisse): Dark red. Intense nose of hot sand and spices. In the mouth there's good intensity, but also too much pepper and the aftertaste is too hot. Member #2 (backing singer) of the band "the spice wines".
We were very disappointed when this were revealed.
(G93/U93,4)
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7/27/2008 - Dale M wrote: 97 Points
Decanted 1 1/12 hrs. Expectations were sky high for this 06 Mon Aieul, and it delivered. Big time. The first whiff clearly let the senses know they we’re in for a contender here, as impossibly ripe and pure notes of plum and cherry liqueur dominate, sweat socks, a touch of heat, and a difficult to place sea mist trait, which re reading RMPS note identified ‘seaweed’, which worked for me. Though ripe as all get out, this baby is already balanced to its Grenache loaded core, with the sweetest strawberries one can imagine, with the supporting structure of a fresh paved brick wall. My wife noted a clay note too. Tannins must be there, but at present, they are simply dominated by the primal gushes of fruit. This wine is so young, it really didn’t display a multitude of traits or personality per se, at least not yet, but I wanted to experience an early tasting of an Mon Aieul which I would strongly recommend to anyone who is setting on a few bottles of this gem.
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7/4/2008 - the godfather wrote: 97 Points
wow, wow, wow, so young, so good, so much of everythinhg I want in a CNDP
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7/4/2008 - JOsgood wrote: 96 Points
Flat out fantastic. Very round with a long finish. Plenty of secondary flavors with a long, long finish. A real blockbuster of a wine.
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5/22/2008 - Terkel wrote: 94 Points
Pierre Usseglio tasting (Hellerup): Dark red color with a purple hue. Soured milk product, red berries, raspberry and strawberry, and some chalk on the nose. Very young and tight in the mouth. Concentrated red fruit first on the palate. More dark fruit and pepper on the midpalate, and some tobaco leafs on the finish. Great balance and length, just needing time to open.
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2/11/2008 - Philippe_C wrote: 96 Points
Tasted from cask with Thierry Usseglio (100% grenache from Les Serres 90 years old vines and La Crau 75 years old vines and La guigasse 75 years old vines)
Very powerfull nose of ripe red and black cherries, almost jammy, very meaty, spicy with licorice... in the mounth very powerfull, lots of silky tannins... this is a top Mon Aieul and probaly even better than the great 2005!!
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4/29/2007 - Philippe_C wrote: 93 Points
Cask sample tasted with Thierry Usseglio at the domain:
Powerfull nose of Licorice, ripe cherries, very elegant... soft and silky tannins with a long cherries aftertaste
(93-95/100)
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