Pale tawny color. Slightly cloudy. Bricking big time.
Strong garrigue note with leather, graphite, and clove spice. Very ripe and mature black raspberry fruit with fig and olive note. Very briny midpalate with meaty savoriness and tobacco leaf note. Long spicy finish with some peppery sensation.
Medium plus body, Medium plus acidity. Medium plus tannin - still grippy.
Good fruit with tertiary complexity. Relatively big wine with good balance and a lot of interesting components.
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As befits the vintage there is plenty of weight and fruit here and almost Musar in style. Very rustic and yet approachable sweet berry fruit but the only place it is let down is by the structure which throughout is a bit astringent and becomes more prominent. Thus balance is not as good as the lovely 1995.
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The last and the best of my bottles. 6th time I have had this wine over the last 17 years. Paired with steak au poivre. Decanted 2 hours before dinner. About 75% Grenache with the rest being mixed between 5 varietals. Made from 40 year old vines. Moderately sedimented. Brickish red color. Smooth and elegant and just a joy to drink at 21 years old. Notes of raw meat, leather, crushed grape skins and garrigue. Soft tannins and a silky finish. 94 points.
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Diluted violet on the pour and brownish-red garnet in the decanter color. Strong cola on the nose with a bit of overripe red fruits. Notes of rich prune juice, slightly flat just-ripe raspberries. Very tasty.
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Drinking beautifully! Popped this on my wife's 65th birthday and it was wonderful. I purchased this in October from a wine store where it had been stored correctly since release. After drinking, I was surprised to see a number of tasting notes indicating the wine was done 4 years ago.....not my bottle!
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Drink now. I remember that his tasted good. Very musty, lots of sediment that made it through the screen. BEWARE, if you have this, drink it now and all in one night. I had 8 ounces left for the next night and, to put it mildly, it was shot. Root beer color and a nose of vinegar. Didn't taste it.
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This was a very nice, fully mature (pass middle age, however) CdP. It is drinking beautifully still with very nice fruit coming across the palate. It has typical notes of garrigue, rosemary, cranberry, a little mint and Provençal herbs. Time to drink these up!
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Wow, this bottle, to start with anyway, has a strong nose of eucalyptus. But on the palate it has a soft texture with notes of garrigue, rosemary, nice berry fruit, kirsch, worn saddle leather and a medium to long finish. Of course, the color has faded to a soft orange at this point. So far so good!
Now that the bottle has been open for about 2hours, I will tell you that it has really come together in a complex melange of dried cherries, other dark ripe fruits, mint, kirsch, and rosemary. Very delicious and hedonistic. This is a classic CdP.
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As I poured this into a glass with an ample bowl, I didn't even have to raise it to know what was coming. The garrigue and kirsch aroma was so inviting that I just knew this was going to be good. It has a very light amber hue at this point. it is very soft on the palate, but the taste is of garrigue, kirsch, black tea, worn saddle leather and dried rosemary. Nice for a $25 CdP.
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Very similar to the last bottle as I continue to enjoy this CdP a lot. The color has an amber hue. It is full bodied with notes of garrigue, rosemary, mint and thyme. Lots of fine sediment in the bottle. I believe this wine will last at least a couple more years.
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This was a birthday gift a couple of years ago, and clearly stored very well. The cork was perfect, and immediately upon opening there were aromas of cherry and herb. I left the wine in the glass for about 30 minutes, and then went back to it. Lots of very Chateauneuf typical aromas, focused on still lively red fruit and warm herbs. I did not pick up a ton of aged characte, so either this was stored really cold even before it got to me, or it's not ever going to pick up the warm leather/earth elements. The mouthfeel was quite silky, and I did pick up a richness that reminded me of other aged Southern Rhone blends, so maybe it just needs more time to pick up the uances on the nose. Either way it was a very nice wine.
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Last bottle from a case. Still showed very well. Nicely balanced with muted raisin notes and some red fruit, mushroom, and sous bois. Tannins resolved.
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The first time trying this -- 3 more in the cellar. Muted herbs and dark fruit, bit of charcoal mid-way; while light in color (amber), the taste is livelier than expected. Should last 2-4 years -- definitely not "over the hill".
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Of the botttles of this vintage I've had over the past three years or so, this was probably the most rewarding. It was starting to brick and the wine showed itself to be in its final descent, with a hushed nose and a clipped finish, but it still proved itself game for the task at hand. Smoky residue of black peppercorns and forest floor truffles intermingled with a black raspberry tort, with a hint of olive paste. It died a quick death though, showing the effects of oxidizing less than twelve hours after being opened. What was once a youthful dash through garringue has become a wheezing collapse of the elderly.
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Continue to enjoy this CdP. It is very mature with an amber hue. It is fully bodied with notes of garrigue, rosemary and tyme on the palete. Lots of fine sendiment in the bottle.
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This is the 7th bottle from a case I purchased upon release. I have enjoyed every bottle. While it is very mature, it was aromatic with notes of mint and rosemary on the nose. The tannins have completely melted away. It is a great CDP for drinking up. I agree that it is at the end of its drinking window. But it is still a great bottle.
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Better. Past peak, and important to stand up the bottles for awhile before drinking, to allow all the sediment to fall. Do not decant, and drink quickly.
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Just no good. Way past peak; clearly storage issues. Zachy's should take better care to evaluate auction wine before offering lots online. Comparable: barry zito.
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Not very happy with this lot, purchased from a Zachy's online auction. Certainly not singing, but I don't think the fat lady has sung. More detailed notes to follow with tastings of the remaining bottles. I don't think this wine was stored well (it shouldn't be so far along in development, peak at only 13+ years). Comparable: Julio Franco.
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Popped an let sit for 45 min, no decant. A cloudy mix of fresh berries and some roasted meat. Very enjoyable, but on the lighter side of the palate, almost feminine. In a good place, rea dy to drink.
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5th time I have had this wine. Heavily sedimented. Not decanted. This was drinking as well as it ever has. A very smooth and elegant wine at this stage of it's life. Good fruit with some mild underlying barnyard notes to give the wine excellent depth. 93-94 points.
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Had the dozen at son-in-law's 40th. Went very well with Lebanese food. Colour good. No sign of age. ruby - clear. Nose cedery. Fruit on palate and reasonably long taste. Soft flavour. Reckon its good value (0 views)
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Had the dozen at son-in-law's 40th. Went very well with Lebanese food. Colour good. No sign of age. ruby - clear. Nose cedery. Fruit on palate and reasonably long taste. Soft flavour. Reckon its good value
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Wish I was having the same experience as some of the more positive notes from the past 12-18 months, but can't say that's the case. While the appearance is quite fine - a bit of cloudiness and nice ruby bricking, the nose refuses to give up the brett, even after being in the decanter for 4+ hours. Alot seems to be due to premature oxidation on this bottle, so if the bottle had aged better, I think the flavors would have been much more positive. In the mouth, it has a good saddle leather and pepper component, with some plums and black cherries, with a decent midpalate of more garringue and forest flloor. Good, strong finish as well, goes on for a good 25 seconds.
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Brick red appearance, slow, uneven legs. Nose somewhat one-dimensional, but plenty of raspberry/redcurrant fruit, and just a hint of the pepper which is to come on the palate. In mouth, lots of pepper and spice, slightly constrained by the dusty tannins, which are what linger on the finish. Not a great '98 CNP, (didn't really expect it to be), but nevertheless a pleasant way to spend a cold, rainy English "summer's" day !
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-- decanted immediately before tasting -- -- tasted non-blind over 2 hours –
NOSE: expressive Nose is dominated by spicy leather, which is supported by a wash of savory roast beef jus (or beef broth with bouquet garni); pomegranate is the main fruit aroma present; hint of smoky sawdust.
BODY: cloudy brick red color of medium to medium-deep depth; medium to medium-full bodied.
TASTE: the palate mirrors the Nose, showing strong spicy and leathery tones; I like the tertiary/primary fruit balance of this wine right now – about 50/50, maybe a bit more tertiary than primary; a tad horsey; alc. is a bit prickly; good acid for a ’98 CdP; great pairing with pumpkin ravioli, and a good pairing with a pork chop. No need to continue holding, but I imagine this would continue to ride smoothly in the cellar for a few more years.
B: 50, 5, 13, 16, 7 = 91
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Brownish red color. Classic aged color, nose and palate. May have been more fruit younger, but not too bad now. Well made wine, bt not much left at this point.
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Popped and let it decant for an hour before the first taste. Brick red color in the glass, albeit a bit murky. A bit of the barn on the nose, as well as chive (maybe?) and other garden herbs. I was surprised by how bright the fruit still is; it tastes as if it could continue to go for another 6-7 years, although I can't see it improving much from where it is now. I can see why 1998 got such rave reviews following the harvest...wish I had another one of these down below!
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Nearly a year and a half since my previous bottle. I don't think this is getting any better, but it is still drinking well. On the nose, some leather, stewed fruits, and a little spice. In the mouth, Tannins mostly resolved, good acidity, and very nice dried/stewed fruit -- raisins and prunes -- but clean, not muddy. Much to my liking.
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Sexy and silky. Still showing lots of fruit. Barnyard on the nose, with cassis and red berries. Super well balanced. Complex with long finish. Drinking very well.
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Deep brick colour, nose of red fruit - raspberries, redcurrant - and spice (hint of cloves). Fruity full palate with luscious sweetness, none of the bitter aftertaste of some of the 98 CNP's I've tasted recently. Drinking well now, but won't improve.
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I think this is my fault. My cellar isn't really set up to age wines out to ten years; it's just too warm. The wine was tired. Murky color, confused flavors of cranberry, raspberry, olives, tar and rose petals. A shame.
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Nice. Smells very 'forest-floor' like when you open it, but let it sit for a while (we left it for like 10 mins in the glass as we were drinking it at friends - poured through a vinturi) and it blossoms - literally. Lots of flavour - deep red fruit, hint of forest and maybe old leather (in a very very good way). Hard to think that this may get any better - think I'll buy more to drink very soon!!
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Holding together nicely and showing some great CdP flavors. Am concerned about the oxidation levels on this wine (have had same problem with prior bottles of same vintage) as it ages. Was really noticable after about two-three hours of being opened. Overall, nice mix of plummy, tangy berry fruits with a solid barnyard and mushroom component. Color is starting to fade, some faint bricking has developed. Nose is moderate mix of tar and garringue with some bacony berries. Solid midpalate of the plums and spices that work to offset the ever present barnyard. Leaner finish, with solid yet agreeable tannins carrying it out for a good 20-30 seconds. Main concern is the suspect cork closure and how it will shorten the aging/life of this wine.
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What the heck, I'll give it a 94. Dark and decanted through a screener/aerator. Lots of sediment almost carmelized, and tasty too. The wine was magnificent. I'm no expert and haven't had more than a dozen of this genre, but this was by far the best (probably got a great bargain way back when). I kind of lost my bearings because I was transported beyond the moment and just kept sipping with eyes closed. Can't remember what I ate. Wow...
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Opened another bottle last weekend when Anwar and Trigirl came over. This was the 5th time I have had this wine (the last being in 2007). Drinking wonderfully. This wine was heavily sedimented and cloudy in appearance. Probably because I had stirred it up recently moving it into the new cellar. We decanted it for sediment. No funky or brett notes. Rich and rather opulent. Dark crimson red color. Black fruit, chocolate and some spice notes. Medium to full bodied. Starting to reach the 94 points that WS gave it. 93 points.
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This bottle was very enjoyable. Medium bodied. Fully resolved tannins and everything else nicely balanced. Solid core of fruit without being OTT. Finished just a bit short. Probably at the top of its' game right now and I don't see it improving with additional cellar time. I have one bottle remaining and it will not see 2012. It threw quite a bit of sediment, so I'd recommend a quick decant which I was not smart enough to do.
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Brightish red color with slight bricking around edges. Nose and palate a bit tight. Some classic aged characteristics, but not much flavor, depth. Actually a bit harsh.
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The last one of these seemed to be fading a little bit but this one was fine. It's in a really good spot right now. Dark cherry. Nice earthiness and garrigue. No oak. Good finish. There was a little flare of alcohol on the finish, but I'm sure the bottle was too warm. Ginday Imports.
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Allowed to breathe briefly and sipped with an assortment of cheeses. Cloudy but appropriate color. Good body and initially a bit tart but opened quickly. Enjoyable mature CdP. Good amount of pepper, raisins and garrigue. Didn't last for the salmon.
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Loved this wine - Had at an RWS director's meeting with Veal Shanks with Honey and it went excellent with the food. My favorite wine of the night (we had three 1998 CdP) Nice long finish. What I get from CdP is sweet flavors - the wine is of course dry. Sorry this was my last bottle but it was ready to be drunk
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with air, a mature cdp, nice cherry and dark earth grip, tannin resolved but not too soft, perfect with bbq kababs, decent weight, good now, but pleanty of time.
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Pop n pour. Very impressive wine with layer upon layer of perfectly ripe red fruits, melted red licorice and savory herbs. Superbly focused and detailed, this wine has a generous quality without ever going too far in any direction except elegance. This is the total package: ethereal nose, rich mid-palate that seemed to explode with luscious red fruits, and a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds. Drink thru 2019, $25 (release)
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Bought Summer 2008 Vinfolio $45. Popped and poured. Pale ruby, traces of orange bricking. Great evocative nose which screams Rhone -- Pepper and spice. Clean palate, easy to drink and enjoy. Fresh ground black pepper, cedar, mouth-watering red fruit and crushed stones. Cutting, but not heavy -- it would be a great food wine. Mouth watering acidity and good finish. Brawny and jolly. Easy to repour -- this will get me in trouble, it will be gone before it can be shared. Doesn't really NEED to improve, this is a nice show!
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Consistent with recent notes. This is in a good place right now. Raisins, prunes, and dried fruit on the nose. These flavors again in the mouth with some lingering acidity and minerality. Very nice with the seared duck breast.
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Opened and poured. Subtle bricking, showing some age. Classic Chateauneuf nose with red pepper, wet earth, cherry, and spice. On the palate the wine shows great balance of mature fruit and soft tannins with fresh pepper and a bit of sweet spice leading to a fine finish. Drinking at or near its peak with a few good years left.
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Had it with beef stroganoff ... maybe not the best match with the meal, but not bad either. Dried cherries on the nose along with some earth; both showed up on the palate. Not as big as I expected, but still enjoyable.
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Double-decanted for an hour and then brought to a tasting. This has been consistent the past few times, showing raisins, prunes, and currants with nice balanced structure from acidity and tannin.
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Tasted November 23, 2007. Opened and served immediately. Raspberry color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. Nose of raspberries, ripe berries and florals. Flavors of ripe red berries, strawberries and cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins, medium to full body. Drink with a decant or continue to hold.
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Tasted September 26, 2007. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, slightly opaque looking. Rich berries nose (is that blueberry?), saddle soap, potpourri and mixed berries. Flavors of berries, cherries, plums and a red licorice finish. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now with a decant or continue to hold.
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My carefully wrapped styrofoam box was cut open at Reno/Tahoe International Airport and the crack TSA staff confirmed my Bosquet des Papes wasn't a bomb. I pulled the cork after arrival in Des Moines and there was immediately a strong barnyard nose. A very earthy wine. I left the cork out for 90 minutes and then recorked it until dinner at Centro. Very strongly Chateaunenuf-du-pape. Dark garnet with the barnyard and mushroominess on the nose along with dark fruit. On the palate, again more of the barnyard and mushroom along with cedar/pencil shavings and black fruit as well as some black cherry. Good balance and good finish. This is drinking well now with some air time, but take your time drinking it. This is a gray market import (still had the green French tax stamp on the top).
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Ruby colored with some signs of bricking, but on the nose there are aromas of raspberry jam, red berry compote, anise and savory. On the palate this is a well integrated, spicy wine with marked acidity, velvety mouth feel and tannins held well in check. Delicious and very approachable. Fabulous with grilled lamb.
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Dull, deep ruby beginning to show signs of maturity. Medicinal red and black fruits highlight a rather somber nose. Full and maybe a bit clumsy. Some intriguing Christmas spice emerges after thirty minutes. Ripe, medium to full bodied palate. I think this is just a tad roasted which unfortunately detracts from some nice fruit and a pleasing mouth feel. Not in the league of most of last nights wines. Finish is bitter. (83)
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When first opened this had the classic CdP thing going on. Firm tannins, but earthy complexity, fresh and tasty. With air the barnyardy aspects came to the fore with a bit of stewed or overripe fruit. On day 2, it was all barnyard and overripe stewed fruit. I wonder if this is dying or if it is in a bit of a dumb phase at the moment. I have a couple more of these so I'll wait a year and see what happens.
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Leather, spice, and cedar on the nose; similar flavors with some fruit on the palate. Still a little closed and tannic -- opened up over the evening, but not as much as I had hoped. More time?
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Typical southern rhone nose of pepper and gaguire. Very good with steaks, sandra even commented on it, but I wonder if it got too warm since I sensed a lack of focus. Everything was in line, the fruit was lovely cherry, and clean, no brett,tannins in order nothiing to sharp. But it just was not sauvage, and then I noticed, there was absolutely no sediment, clean and clear, but stripped of personality I'd say. Another 1998 that I just do not think holds a candle to the 1990. Drinks well now.
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Decanted for approximately one hour. Purplish ruby. Nose eventually developed nicely, revealing lots garrigue, market spice, and pepper. Velvety texture on the palate, giving off flavors of beef blood, black pepper, red fruits, and leather. Finish a bit short at present, but harmonious. I'm betting on further upside with extended cellaring, perhaps 3 to 5 years.
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Light ruby colour. Aromas of earth, mushrooms, cherry, barnyard, and spice. Medium-bodied, spicy, with pepper, currant, and red berry notes. Moderate finish, 30-35s, with red plums, and currant notes.
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Cedar sweet cherry fruit, funky earthy decay, forest floor. Interesting and lush, solid tannins but a bit hot from what I thought was alcohol. This wine has likely just opened up from a bit of a slumber about a year or so ago, as I read many TNs that indicated this over the years. It still seems a little tight but did open up with some air time, although not much time was given to all the wines with our 2 glass limit.
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I opened another bottle this weekend at JCubeds home and was very disapointed in it. I did not decant it. This wine was very funky with overpowering barnyard notes. I am fairly sure that this wine was corked based upon some wet cardboard nuances in it. JCubed mentioned the same thing. However, I am not very suseptible to cork taint and this may have been an off bottle. Didn't taste anything like the bottle I had in 2002.
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Lovely. Shows typical Chateauneuf character, with roasted, toasted and grilled notes in a supple package. Full of ripe plum and sweet but firm tannins, it's full-bodied and deeply satisfying, retaining its textbook personality through the lingering finish.Drink now through 2015. (3330 cases produced) WS=94
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WS #29 wine of 2000. Decanted for 1 hour. Deep maroon color. Lovely aromatics with earthy and floral notes. Rich full bodied wine which was drinking quite well now. Plum, wet earth and dark fruit flavors. No sign of any brett. Firm chewy tannins. Fine long finish. Great example of a classic CdP. Will continue to improve in bottle. 92 rating.
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2/16/2024 - Ruminator Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pale tawny color. Slightly cloudy. Bricking big time.
Strong garrigue note with leather, graphite, and clove spice. Very ripe and mature black raspberry fruit with fig and olive note. Very briny midpalate with meaty savoriness and tobacco leaf note. Long spicy finish with some peppery sensation.
Medium plus body, Medium plus acidity. Medium plus tannin - still grippy.
Good fruit with tertiary complexity. Relatively big wine with good balance and a lot of interesting components.
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2/15/2024 - europat55 wrote: 90 Points
Nose: 91; Palate: 89-90.
My #1; Group's #1; Tasted Blind.
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1/8/2024 - CincyVines Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow… fantastic even after 25 years.
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3/6/2021 - Loathesome Likes this wine: 89 Points
As befits the vintage there is plenty of weight and fruit here and almost Musar in style. Very rustic and yet approachable sweet berry fruit but the only place it is let down is by the structure which throughout is a bit astringent and becomes more prominent. Thus balance is not as good as the lovely 1995.
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4/1/2019 - Vino Me wrote: 94 Points
The last and the best of my bottles. 6th time I have had this wine over the last 17 years. Paired with steak au poivre. Decanted 2 hours before dinner. About 75% Grenache with the rest being mixed between 5 varietals. Made from 40 year old vines. Moderately sedimented. Brickish red color. Smooth and elegant and just a joy to drink at 21 years old. Notes of raw meat, leather, crushed grape skins and garrigue. Soft tannins and a silky finish. 94 points.
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2/24/2019 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 90 Points
Diluted violet on the pour and brownish-red garnet in the decanter color. Strong cola on the nose with a bit of overripe red fruits. Notes of rich prune juice, slightly flat just-ripe raspberries. Very tasty.
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3/15/2018 - birdiefour Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully! Popped this on my wife's 65th birthday and it was wonderful. I purchased this in October from a wine store where it had been stored correctly since release. After drinking, I was surprised to see a number of tasting notes indicating the wine was done 4 years ago.....not my bottle!
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11/20/2015 - marka wrote: 89 Points
Drink now. I remember that his tasted good. Very musty, lots of sediment that made it through the screen. BEWARE, if you have this, drink it now and all in one night. I had 8 ounces left for the next night and, to put it mildly, it was shot. Root beer color and a nose of vinegar. Didn't taste it.
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9/28/2015 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 62 Points
Dead
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1/31/2015 - dmg1727 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very strong nose of eucalyptus upon opening. Eventually faded. The wine is bit past its prime but as it sat it opened up.
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11/8/2014 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was a very nice, fully mature (pass middle age, however) CdP. It is drinking beautifully still with very nice fruit coming across the palate. It has typical notes of garrigue, rosemary, cranberry, a little mint and Provençal herbs. Time to drink these up!
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9/14/2014 - Col.Harding wrote: 92 Points
delicious - dark, with a focused nose of dark fruits and a little leather and earth. spicy with silky tannins, well structured. Really like this one.
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8/28/2014 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wow, this bottle, to start with anyway, has a strong nose of eucalyptus. But on the palate it has a soft texture with notes of garrigue, rosemary, nice berry fruit, kirsch, worn saddle leather and a medium to long finish. Of course, the color has faded to a soft orange at this point. So far so good!
Now that the bottle has been open for about 2hours, I will tell you that it has really come together in a complex melange of dried cherries, other dark ripe fruits, mint, kirsch, and rosemary. Very delicious and hedonistic. This is a classic CdP.
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4/24/2014 - bottlewasher Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice old well balanced CDP. Lots of fruit both cherry and blackberry, plenty of barnyard. Still has some tannins to balance the fruits.
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2/11/2014 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 90 Points
As I poured this into a glass with an ample bowl, I didn't even have to raise it to know what was coming. The garrigue and kirsch aroma was so inviting that I just knew this was going to be good. It has a very light amber hue at this point. it is very soft on the palate, but the taste is of garrigue, kirsch, black tea, worn saddle leather and dried rosemary. Nice for a $25 CdP.
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1/22/2014 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very similar to the last bottle as I continue to enjoy this CdP a lot. The color has an amber hue. It is full bodied with notes of garrigue, rosemary, mint and thyme. Lots of fine sediment in the bottle. I believe this wine will last at least a couple more years.
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1/7/2014 - Rieslingfan wrote: 88 Points
This was a birthday gift a couple of years ago, and clearly stored very well. The cork was perfect, and immediately upon opening there were aromas of cherry and herb. I left the wine in the glass for about 30 minutes, and then went back to it. Lots of very Chateauneuf typical aromas, focused on still lively red fruit and warm herbs. I did not pick up a ton of aged characte, so either this was stored really cold even before it got to me, or it's not ever going to pick up the warm leather/earth elements. The mouthfeel was quite silky, and I did pick up a richness that reminded me of other aged Southern Rhone blends, so maybe it just needs more time to pick up the uances on the nose. Either way it was a very nice wine.
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12/31/2013 - gbauer Likes this wine:
Last bottle from a case. Still showed very well. Nicely balanced with muted raisin notes and some red fruit, mushroom, and sous bois. Tannins resolved.
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6/16/2013 - Sonoma-W wrote: 90 Points
The first time trying this -- 3 more in the cellar. Muted herbs and dark fruit, bit of charcoal mid-way; while light in color (amber), the taste is livelier than expected. Should last 2-4 years -- definitely not "over the hill".
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5/4/2013 - GalvezGuy wrote: 94 Points
CT Texas V - North Dallas Forty and then some; 5/3/2013-5/5/2013 (McKinney, North Dallas, TX): #10 Aged color with a hint of bricking. On the nose, celery, raspberry, sour cherry, game, smoke, hint of leather. On the palate, rich with balanced red fruits, smoke, leather, herbs, hints of pepper. Smooth finish. My WOTF, Group #2
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3/6/2013 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 90 Points
Of the botttles of this vintage I've had over the past three years or so, this was probably the most rewarding. It was starting to brick and the wine showed itself to be in its final descent, with a hushed nose and a clipped finish, but it still proved itself game for the task at hand. Smoky residue of black peppercorns and forest floor truffles intermingled with a black raspberry tort, with a hint of olive paste. It died a quick death though, showing the effects of oxidizing less than twelve hours after being opened. What was once a youthful dash through garringue has become a wheezing collapse of the elderly.
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2/16/2013 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 90 Points
Continue to enjoy this CdP. It is very mature with an amber hue. It is fully bodied with notes of garrigue, rosemary and tyme on the palete. Lots of fine sendiment in the bottle.
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1/18/2013 - JOsgood wrote:
A big wine. Long finish. I didn't care for the style here.
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1/17/2013 - EMichels wrote: 89 Points
On the sweeter side; Chocolate; Turns cherry in the glass
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12/16/2012 - BklynNeophyte wrote:
0 on the AF scale.
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12/8/2012 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 89 Points
This is the 7th bottle from a case I purchased upon release. I have enjoyed every bottle. While it is very mature, it was aromatic with notes of mint and rosemary on the nose. The tannins have completely melted away. It is a great CDP for drinking up. I agree that it is at the end of its drinking window. But it is still a great bottle.
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12/4/2012 - JDRFoster wrote: 90 Points
The grenache shone through beautifully in this cuvee, which is drinking well, with that balance of ripeness and age. Drink up.
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8/15/2012 - EMichels wrote: 92 Points
Very nice; In a great place
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7/23/2012 - gbauer wrote:
Showed very well. Typical CdP with some age.
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7/2/2012 - BklynNeophyte wrote: flawed
Ugh. Zachy's internet auction purchase. Clearly wasn't stored properly but Zachy's auctioned it nevertheless.
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5/30/2012 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 86 Points
Better. Past peak, and important to stand up the bottles for awhile before drinking, to allow all the sediment to fall. Do not decant, and drink quickly.
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4/9/2012 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 63 Points
Just no good. Way past peak; clearly storage issues. Zachy's should take better care to evaluate auction wine before offering lots online. Comparable: barry zito.
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3/29/2012 - BklynNeophyte wrote: 84 Points
Not very happy with this lot, purchased from a Zachy's online auction. Certainly not singing, but I don't think the fat lady has sung. More detailed notes to follow with tastings of the remaining bottles. I don't think this wine was stored well (it shouldn't be so far along in development, peak at only 13+ years). Comparable: Julio Franco.
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1/29/2012 - Whine-oh wrote: 90 Points
Popped an let sit for 45 min, no decant. A cloudy mix of fresh berries and some roasted meat. Very enjoyable, but on the lighter side of the palate, almost feminine. In a good place, rea
dy to drink.
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1/17/2012 - beachbum wrote: 90 Points
drank nicely bbq steak, last bottle, no reason to keep longer
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1/16/2012 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
5th time I have had this wine. Heavily sedimented. Not decanted. This was drinking as well as it ever has. A very smooth and elegant wine at this stage of it's life. Good fruit with some mild underlying barnyard notes to give the wine excellent depth. 93-94 points.
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10/30/2011 - no leashes wrote: 91 Points
A very nice chateauneuf du Pape, with lavender, olive, and a hint of game., classic CNP flavors. Supple, smooth texture. Drinking beautifully.
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8/28/2011 - Rogershkg wrote: 89 Points
Had the dozen at son-in-law's 40th. Went very well with Lebanese food.
Colour good. No sign of age. ruby - clear. Nose cedery. Fruit on palate and reasonably long taste. Soft flavour. Reckon its good value (0 views)
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8/28/2011 - Rogershkg wrote: 89 Points
Had the dozen at son-in-law's 40th. Went very well with Lebanese food.
Colour good. No sign of age. ruby - clear. Nose cedery. Fruit on palate and reasonably long taste. Soft flavour. Reckon its good value
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7/17/2011 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 87 Points
Wish I was having the same experience as some of the more positive notes from the past 12-18 months, but can't say that's the case. While the appearance is quite fine - a bit of cloudiness and nice ruby bricking, the nose refuses to give up the brett, even after being in the decanter for 4+ hours. Alot seems to be due to premature oxidation on this bottle, so if the bottle had aged better, I think the flavors would have been much more positive. In the mouth, it has a good saddle leather and pepper component, with some plums and black cherries, with a decent midpalate of more garringue and forest flloor. Good, strong finish as well, goes on for a good 25 seconds.
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7/16/2011 - RISM wrote: 86 Points
Brick red appearance, slow, uneven legs. Nose somewhat one-dimensional, but plenty of raspberry/redcurrant fruit, and just a hint of the pepper which is to come on the palate. In mouth, lots of pepper and spice, slightly constrained by the dusty tannins, which are what linger on the finish. Not a great '98 CNP, (didn't really expect it to be), but nevertheless a pleasant way to spend a cold, rainy English "summer's" day !
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6/5/2011 - grafstrb wrote: 91 Points
-- decanted immediately before tasting --
-- tasted non-blind over 2 hours –
NOSE: expressive Nose is dominated by spicy leather, which is supported by a wash of savory roast beef jus (or beef broth with bouquet garni); pomegranate is the main fruit aroma present; hint of smoky sawdust.
BODY: cloudy brick red color of medium to medium-deep depth; medium to medium-full bodied.
TASTE: the palate mirrors the Nose, showing strong spicy and leathery tones; I like the tertiary/primary fruit balance of this wine right now – about 50/50, maybe a bit more tertiary than primary; a tad horsey; alc. is a bit prickly; good acid for a ’98 CdP; great pairing with pumpkin ravioli, and a good pairing with a pork chop. No need to continue holding, but I imagine this would continue to ride smoothly in the cellar for a few more years.
B: 50, 5, 13, 16, 7 = 91
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4/3/2011 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 89 Points
Brownish red color. Classic aged color, nose and palate. May have been more fruit younger, but not too bad now. Well made wine, bt not much left at this point.
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3/13/2011 - ghostofgotham wrote: 93 Points
Popped and let it decant for an hour before the first taste. Brick red color in the glass, albeit a bit murky. A bit of the barn on the nose, as well as chive (maybe?) and other garden herbs. I was surprised by how bright the fruit still is; it tastes as if it could continue to go for another 6-7 years, although I can't see it improving much from where it is now. I can see why 1998 got such rave reviews following the harvest...wish I had another one of these down below!
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2/21/2011 - gbauer wrote:
Nearly a year and a half since my previous bottle. I don't think this is getting any better, but it is still drinking well. On the nose, some leather, stewed fruits, and a little spice. In the mouth, Tannins mostly resolved, good acidity, and very nice dried/stewed fruit -- raisins and prunes -- but clean, not muddy. Much to my liking.
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2/14/2011 - dkeyes wrote: 94 Points
Sexy and silky. Still showing lots of fruit. Barnyard on the nose, with cassis and red berries. Super well balanced. Complex with long finish. Drinking very well.
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1/22/2011 - mlawren1 wrote: 93 Points
very smooth and subtle wine. Berries and plums that finish with a hint of chocolate.
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11/25/2010 - RISM wrote: 85 Points
Deep brick colour, nose of red fruit - raspberries, redcurrant - and spice (hint of cloves). Fruity full palate with luscious sweetness, none of the bitter aftertaste of some of the 98 CNP's I've tasted recently. Drinking well now, but won't improve.
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11/1/2010 - pbowden wrote: 93 Points
i loved this wine lots of fruit great on nose wish had more ....
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8/16/2010 - mlawren1 wrote: 93 Points
Cherries and berries with a bit of spice and earth. Really smooth.
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7/6/2010 - Colia wrote: 87 Points
I think this is my fault. My cellar isn't really set up to age wines out to ten years; it's just too warm. The wine was tired. Murky color, confused flavors of cranberry, raspberry, olives, tar and rose petals. A shame.
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7/5/2010 - no leashes wrote: 92 Points
Delicioius -- sweet cherry, berry, lavender, olive, kirsch and earth flavors, velvety texture, great balance. In its prime.
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6/14/2010 - sswine wrote: 93 Points
Nice. Smells very 'forest-floor' like when you open it, but let it sit for a while (we left it for like 10 mins in the glass as we were drinking it at friends - poured through a vinturi) and it blossoms - literally. Lots of flavour - deep red fruit, hint of forest and maybe old leather (in a very very good way). Hard to think that this may get any better - think I'll buy more to drink very soon!!
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5/16/2010 - Mr.Overhill wrote: 90 Points
Holding together nicely and showing some great CdP flavors. Am concerned about the oxidation levels on this wine (have had same problem with prior bottles of same vintage) as it ages. Was really noticable after about two-three hours of being opened. Overall, nice mix of plummy, tangy berry fruits with a solid barnyard and mushroom component. Color is starting to fade, some faint bricking has developed. Nose is moderate mix of tar and garringue with some bacony berries. Solid midpalate of the plums and spices that work to offset the ever present barnyard. Leaner finish, with solid yet agreeable tannins carrying it out for a good 20-30 seconds. Main concern is the suspect cork closure and how it will shorten the aging/life of this wine.
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4/28/2010 - Jimdish25 wrote: 94 Points
What the heck, I'll give it a 94. Dark and decanted through a screener/aerator. Lots of sediment almost carmelized, and tasty too. The wine was magnificent. I'm no expert and haven't had more than a dozen of this genre, but this was by far the best (probably got a great bargain way back when). I kind of lost my bearings because I was transported beyond the moment and just kept sipping with eyes closed. Can't remember what I ate. Wow...
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4/23/2010 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
Opened another bottle last weekend when Anwar and Trigirl came over. This was the 5th time I have had this wine (the last being in 2007). Drinking wonderfully. This wine was heavily sedimented and cloudy in appearance. Probably because I had stirred it up recently moving it into the new cellar. We decanted it for sediment. No funky or brett notes. Rich and rather opulent. Dark crimson red color. Black fruit, chocolate and some spice notes. Medium to full bodied. Starting to reach the 94 points that WS gave it. 93 points.
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4/3/2010 - Winger wrote:
This bottle was very enjoyable. Medium bodied. Fully resolved tannins and everything else nicely balanced. Solid core of fruit without being OTT. Finished just a bit short. Probably at the top of its' game right now and I don't see it improving with additional cellar time. I have one bottle remaining and it will not see 2012.
It threw quite a bit of sediment, so I'd recommend a quick decant which I was not smart enough to do.
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4/1/2010 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 88 Points
Brightish red color with slight bricking around edges. Nose and palate a bit tight. Some classic aged characteristics, but not much flavor, depth. Actually a bit harsh.
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3/19/2010 - stevetimko wrote:
The last one of these seemed to be fading a little bit but this one was fine. It's in a really good spot right now. Dark cherry. Nice earthiness and garrigue. No oak. Good finish. There was a little flare of alcohol on the finish, but I'm sure the bottle was too warm. Ginday Imports.
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12/31/2009 - bmr67 wrote: 91 Points
Allowed to breathe briefly and sipped with an assortment of cheeses. Cloudy but appropriate color. Good body and initially a bit tart but opened quickly. Enjoyable mature CdP. Good amount of pepper, raisins and garrigue. Didn't last for the salmon.
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12/14/2009 - Zinlady wrote: 91 Points
Loved this wine - Had at an RWS director's meeting with Veal Shanks with Honey and it went excellent with the food. My favorite wine of the night (we had three 1998 CdP) Nice long finish. What I get from CdP is sweet flavors - the wine is of course dry. Sorry this was my last bottle but it was ready to be drunk
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8/31/2009 - gbauer wrote:
I still think this is in a very nice place. Tannins resolved, nice dried fruits, raisin, prune, and some garrigue. Good mature CdP.
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7/17/2009 - grossie wrote: flawed
Corked. Domage.
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7/4/2009 - beachbum wrote: 92 Points
with air, a mature cdp, nice cherry and dark earth grip, tannin resolved but not too soft, perfect with bbq kababs, decent weight, good now, but pleanty of time.
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5/30/2009 - lestergibo wrote: 92 Points
Very good CdP, drinking well now.
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5/25/2009 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Pop n pour. Very impressive wine with layer upon layer of perfectly ripe red fruits, melted red licorice and savory herbs. Superbly focused and detailed, this wine has a generous quality without ever going too far in any direction except elegance. This is the total package: ethereal nose, rich mid-palate that seemed to explode with luscious red fruits, and a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds. Drink thru 2019, $25 (release)
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5/6/2009 - City Wine Journal wrote: 92 Points
Bought Summer 2008 Vinfolio $45. Popped and poured. Pale ruby, traces of orange bricking. Great evocative nose which screams Rhone -- Pepper and spice. Clean palate, easy to drink and enjoy. Fresh ground black pepper, cedar, mouth-watering red fruit and crushed stones. Cutting, but not heavy -- it would be a great food wine. Mouth watering acidity and good finish. Brawny and jolly. Easy to repour -- this will get me in trouble, it will be gone before it can be shared. Doesn't really NEED to improve, this is a nice show!
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4/14/2009 - cweiss wrote:
Drinking at peak I think, with plenty of fruit but no joints sticking out and nice secondary bouquet.
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1/21/2009 - cvvhrn wrote: 92 Points
Quite a nice Rhone. Hints of violets and pepper on the nose, with celery root, minerals, and dark fruit ont he palate. Nice mouthfeel and finish
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1/3/2009 - gbauer wrote:
Consistent with recent notes. This is in a good place right now. Raisins, prunes, and dried fruit on the nose. These flavors again in the mouth with some lingering acidity and minerality. Very nice with the seared duck breast.
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11/23/2008 - foodandwineblog wrote: 90 Points
Opened and poured. Subtle bricking, showing some age. Classic Chateauneuf nose with red pepper, wet earth, cherry, and spice. On the palate the wine shows great balance of mature fruit and soft tannins with fresh pepper and a bit of sweet spice leading to a fine finish. Drinking at or near its peak with a few good years left.
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10/25/2008 - Parnelli wrote: 88 Points
Had it with beef stroganoff ... maybe not the best match with the meal, but not bad either. Dried cherries on the nose along with some earth; both showed up on the palate. Not as big as I expected, but still enjoyable.
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3/14/2008 - rob1869 wrote: 87 Points
Wines of 1998 - Naked Offline "B-Team" (Alex's Office): Medium garnet; high toned red fruit some earthy notes; medium body and medium finish.
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2/22/2008 - cweiss wrote:
Already significant lightening of color. But no pallor of flavor, with good concentration of rustic-style CdP flavors. Suspect at peak now.
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2/2/2008 - no leashes wrote: 90 Points
Ready to drink now, this wine had nice dark berry, kirsch, earth and tobacco flavors. The tannins are well integrated. Medium body.
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1/18/2008 - gbauer wrote:
Double-decanted for an hour and then brought to a tasting. This has been consistent the past few times, showing raisins, prunes, and currants with nice balanced structure from acidity and tannin.
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1/10/2008 - Cheryl wrote:
No
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12/21/2007 - last chance wrote: flawed
Oxidized. Tasted like a bottle that had been open for 2 or 3 days. Bummer.
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11/23/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
SWILL November Tasting - Southern Rhone (win's house in Southlake, TX): WIML90
Tasted November 23, 2007. Opened and served immediately. Raspberry color in the glass, slightly cloudy looking. Nose of raspberries, ripe berries and florals. Flavors of ripe red berries, strawberries and cherries. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins, medium to full body. Drink with a decant or continue to hold.
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9/27/2007 - win wrote: 91 Points
Primal fruit attributes, yet very fresh. Very enjoyable.
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9/26/2007 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
WIML90
Tasted September 26, 2007. Opened and served immediately. Garnet color in the glass, slightly opaque looking. Rich berries nose (is that blueberry?), saddle soap, potpourri and mixed berries. Flavors of berries, cherries, plums and a red licorice finish. Medium acidity, tannins and body. Drink now with a decant or continue to hold.
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9/10/2007 - stevetimko wrote: 91 Points
My carefully wrapped styrofoam box was cut open at Reno/Tahoe International Airport and the crack TSA staff confirmed my Bosquet des Papes wasn't a bomb. I pulled the cork after arrival in Des Moines and there was immediately a strong barnyard nose. A very earthy wine. I left the cork out for 90 minutes and then recorked it until dinner at Centro. Very strongly Chateaunenuf-du-pape. Dark garnet with the barnyard and mushroominess on the nose along with dark fruit. On the palate, again more of the barnyard and mushroom along with cedar/pencil shavings and black fruit as well as some black cherry. Good balance and good finish. This is drinking well now with some air time, but take your time drinking it. This is a gray market import (still had the green French tax stamp on the top).
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9/2/2007 - Deb293 wrote: 92 Points
Ruby colored with some signs of bricking, but on the nose there are aromas of raspberry jam, red berry compote, anise and savory. On the palate this is a well integrated, spicy wine with marked acidity, velvety mouth feel and tannins held well in check. Delicious and very approachable. Fabulous with grilled lamb.
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8/12/2007 - dbkitc wrote: 83 Points
Dull, deep ruby beginning to show signs of maturity. Medicinal red and black fruits highlight a rather somber nose. Full and maybe a bit clumsy. Some intriguing Christmas spice emerges after thirty minutes. Ripe, medium to full bodied palate. I think this is just a tad roasted which unfortunately detracts from some nice fruit and a pleasing mouth feel. Not in the league of most of last nights wines. Finish is bitter. (83)
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7/23/2007 - winemaker wrote: 90 Points
When first opened this had the classic CdP thing going on. Firm tannins, but earthy complexity, fresh and tasty. With air the barnyardy aspects came to the fore with a bit of stewed or overripe fruit. On day 2, it was all barnyard and overripe stewed fruit. I wonder if this is dying or if it is in a bit of a dumb phase at the moment. I have a couple more of these so I'll wait a year and see what happens.
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3/24/2007 - gbauer wrote:
Initially, a little barnyard and dark red fruit on the nose and in the mouth. Opened into a more raisiny flavor over time.
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1/28/2007 - jacobp wrote: 88 Points
A bit weaker than I expected.
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12/22/2006 - gbauer wrote:
Leather, spice, and cedar on the nose; similar flavors with some fruit on the palate. Still a little closed and tannic -- opened up over the evening, but not as much as I had hoped. More time?
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11/5/2006 - jacobp wrote: 92 Points
Another excellent bottle.
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11/5/2006 - jacobp wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for two hours. Dark plum, tar on the nose. Luscious, velevety mouthfeel, with long-lasting finish. A winner.
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6/25/2006 - beachbum wrote: 91 Points
Typical southern rhone nose of pepper and gaguire. Very good with steaks, sandra even commented on it, but I wonder if it got too warm since I sensed a lack of focus. Everything was in line, the fruit was lovely cherry, and clean, no brett,tannins in order nothiing to sharp. But it just was not sauvage, and then I noticed, there was absolutely no sediment, clean and clear, but stripped of personality I'd say. Another 1998 that I just do not think holds a candle to the 1990. Drinks well now.
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5/2/2006 - br wrote:
From memory: bottle seemed fully mature, fruit, tar, rustic Rhone. flat out died on day 2.
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4/24/2006 - Vino Me wrote: 90 Points
This bottle has never lived up to the WS score.
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12/31/2005 - DougLee wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for approximately one hour. Purplish ruby. Nose eventually developed nicely, revealing lots garrigue, market spice, and pepper. Velvety texture on the palate, giving off flavors of beef blood, black pepper, red fruits, and leather. Finish a bit short at present, but harmonious. I'm betting on further upside with extended cellaring, perhaps 3 to 5 years.
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12/1/2005 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
I tried this again in las Vegas. Drinking the best it ever has. 92-93 points.
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11/19/2005 - futronic wrote: 90 Points
Light ruby colour. Aromas of earth, mushrooms, cherry, barnyard, and spice. Medium-bodied, spicy, with pepper, currant, and red berry notes. Moderate finish, 30-35s, with red plums, and currant notes.
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9/28/2005 - lev wrote: 89 Points
Godt fonøyd med denne, nokså godt utviklet, men vil bedre seg over noen år
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8/24/2005 - Shiraziste wrote: 93 Points
Cedar sweet cherry fruit, funky earthy decay, forest floor. Interesting and lush, solid tannins but a bit hot from what I thought was alcohol. This wine has likely just opened up from a bit of a slumber about a year or so ago, as I read many TNs that indicated this over the years. It still seems a little tight but did open up with some air time, although not much time was given to all the wines with our 2 glass limit.
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1/24/2005 - Vino Me wrote:
I opened another bottle this weekend at JCubeds home and was very disapointed in it. I did not decant it. This wine was very funky with overpowering barnyard notes. I am fairly sure that this wine was corked based upon some wet cardboard nuances in it. JCubed mentioned the same thing. However, I am not very suseptible to cork taint and this may have been an off bottle. Didn't taste anything like the bottle I had in 2002.
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10/8/2004 - grossie wrote: 94 Points
Lovely. Shows typical Chateauneuf character, with roasted, toasted and grilled notes in a supple package. Full of ripe plum and sweet but firm tannins, it's full-bodied and deeply satisfying, retaining its textbook personality through the lingering finish.Drink now through 2015. (3330 cases produced) WS=94
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6/21/2002 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
WS #29 wine of 2000. Decanted for 1 hour. Deep maroon color. Lovely aromatics with earthy and floral notes. Rich full bodied wine which was drinking quite well now. Plum, wet earth and dark fruit flavors. No sign of any brett. Firm chewy tannins. Fine long finish. Great example of a classic CdP. Will continue to improve in bottle. 92 rating.
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