We had a bottle of this wine 2 years ago, and it was still fairly closed and tannic. Tonight, upon opening, the wine hand an unpleasantly funky nose and was light bodied. However, after being decanted for 1 hour, it was a totally different wine. It had put on significant weight and had become full bodied. On the palate, the wine comes across as thick and viscous, and tastes like a combination of cherry liquor with a splash of black currents. Subtle notes of licorice on the finish. The tannins had softened considerably since we last tasted the wine 2 years ago. An excellent wine and very, very enjoyable now for its beautiful fruit, but secondary characteristics have yet to evolve.
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Powerful nose of cherry, cassis, plum, roses, and star anise. Dry black cherry fruit and leather on the palate with Earl Grey tea and fennel layered in. Smooth, dry tannins on the powerful finish, adding cedar box at the end. A complete package that's drinking perfect right now - perhaps didn't capture it in enough detail.
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Blackberry and blueberry on nose and palate. Hints of chocolate on mid palate. Finish is interestingly rustic with minerality, mature tannins very enjoyable.
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Very enjoyable and well rewarded for storing these since release. Good intensity on the nose and palate. The earth tones, spice, and red/blue fruits are all there. Moderate acidity and fine structure on the finish. Better the second night. 92-93 pts.
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Intensity and clarity combine in an elegant and powerful wine. Black cherries with a hint of tar, richness and power combine and yet avoid heaviness. Great finish.
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Bosquet C9dP mini tasting: great C9dP, plum, dark cherries, balsamic note, full body, dark chocolate, some earth, elegant yet powerful with a finish that lasts forever
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Had a vertical tasting with Chante le Merle from four vintages: 07, 09, 11 and 12.
Slightly muted compared to the other vintages. Very spicy and heady nose with black pepper and pine needles. Some conserved cherries comes after some time. Do not have the same fruitiness as the other vintages.
On the palate the wine is almost violent. Super dry, heady, dusty (almost like drinking sand). The black pepper comes immediately. Fine drying minerals follows. Kirsch, bay leaf, blood and bacon are there.
A completly different wine from the rest of the vintages. The fruit is drying out and is replaced by alcohol and spiciness. There is nothing wrong with the wine really, except that it lacks in fruit and the alcohol takes overhand. The quality is there but I prefer some more balance. Was rated as the weakest vintage of the four by the group.
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Heady, jammy nose with rum raisins, ceder tree and leather.
Oak is present on the palate with good fruit and structure but I miss the zingy acid I found in the -07 vintage. I think that they have overdone the wine this time. My father did not agree and found the wine outstanding.
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1/20/2024 - no oak Likes this wine: 93 Points
We had a bottle of this wine 2 years ago, and it was still fairly closed and tannic. Tonight, upon opening, the wine hand an unpleasantly funky nose and was light bodied. However, after being decanted for 1 hour, it was a totally different wine. It had put on significant weight and had become full bodied. On the palate, the wine comes across as thick and viscous, and tastes like a combination of cherry liquor with a splash of black currents. Subtle notes of licorice on the finish. The tannins had softened considerably since we last tasted the wine 2 years ago. An excellent wine and very, very enjoyable now for its beautiful fruit, but secondary characteristics have yet to evolve.
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6/18/2022 - garrigue65 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dried dark fruit and blackberry Hints of tobacco and cigar box. Long finish with silky tannins. Very enjoyable right now.
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3/11/2022 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 95 Points
Powerful nose of cherry, cassis, plum, roses, and star anise. Dry black cherry fruit and leather on the palate with Earl Grey tea and fennel layered in. Smooth, dry tannins on the powerful finish, adding cedar box at the end. A complete package that's drinking perfect right now - perhaps didn't capture it in enough detail.
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1/6/2022 - Sesesq Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nicely concentrated, great tertiary notes, LONG finish, but a bit less complex than I would have liked for something this old. Would enjoy again.
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10/22/2020 - garrigue65 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Blackberry and blueberry on nose and palate. Hints of chocolate on mid palate. Finish is interestingly rustic with minerality, mature tannins very enjoyable.
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4/7/2020 - Grenik Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very enjoyable and well rewarded for storing these since release. Good intensity on the nose and palate. The earth tones, spice, and red/blue fruits are all there. Moderate acidity and fine structure on the finish. Better the second night. 92-93 pts.
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4/24/2019 - Mark van Delft Likes this wine: 93 Points
Elegant powerful C9dP, dark cherry, blackberries, earthy note, medium to full body, well balanced oak, balsamic, coffee, fig, superb long finish!
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11/21/2017 - Wuhan Joe wrote: 92 Points
Intensity and clarity combine in an elegant and powerful wine. Black cherries with a hint of tar, richness and power combine and yet avoid heaviness. Great finish.
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9/15/2017 - Mark van Delft Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bosquet C9dP mini tasting: great C9dP, plum, dark cherries, balsamic note, full body, dark chocolate, some earth, elegant yet powerful with a finish that lasts forever
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7/4/2015 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened the night before but not consumed. Day 2 was really great. Very well balanced and great precise fruit with nice minerals and spice.
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12/29/2014 - Dovberg wrote: 90 Points
Had a vertical tasting with Chante le Merle from four vintages: 07, 09, 11 and 12.
Slightly muted compared to the other vintages. Very spicy and heady nose with black pepper and pine needles. Some conserved cherries comes after some time. Do not have the same fruitiness as the other vintages.
On the palate the wine is almost violent. Super dry, heady, dusty (almost like drinking sand). The black pepper comes immediately. Fine drying minerals follows. Kirsch, bay leaf, blood and bacon are there.
A completly different wine from the rest of the vintages. The fruit is drying out and is replaced by alcohol and spiciness. There is nothing wrong with the wine really, except that it lacks in fruit and the alcohol takes overhand. The quality is there but I prefer some more balance. Was rated as the weakest vintage of the four by the group.
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11/8/2014 - Dovberg wrote: 90 Points
Did not take any notes.
Heady, jammy nose with rum raisins, ceder tree and leather.
Oak is present on the palate with good fruit and structure but I miss the zingy acid I found in the -07 vintage. I think that they have overdone the wine this time. My father did not agree and found the wine outstanding.
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8/11/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Elegant, medium bodied, supple, round and luscious, this open styled Chateauneuf du Pape serves up a blast of sweet kirsch, jam and garrigue.
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2/17/2013 - hubas wrote: 86 Points
Very dark fruit With quite a bit ofta licorice
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1/13/2013 - CWilliam wrote: 92 Points
California Syrah or CDP (with some Whites to Start) (Beebe House): Tasted blind. Guessed CDP. Nose was muted relative to palate. Black cherry, dirty, earthy, raspberry liquor on palate. Medium+ body, high acids & medium+ to long finish. 92+/-
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4/18/2011 - alanr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beltramos 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape tasting: Dark, bright black plum, very structured, ageworthy.
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