| | Yesterday, my neighbors pulled out their pizza oven and fired it up. They were generous enough to invite our family over to celebrate my son going off to college and wanted to give him one last summer party. A few of the neighbors showed up. As my neighbors are going to Chateauneuf in a few weeks, I brought over a few bottles to try. All the wines were consumed non-blind, casually as we enjoyed various pizzas and other food over 6 hours. A white to get us started. - 2013 Sineann Pinot Gris Wy'east - USA, Oregon/Washington, Columbia Gorge
A better showing than earlier this summer. Screw capped. Light golden in color. The nose has a nice citrus/lemon/orange note to it with some minerals. On the palate, this has a nice bright acidity which worked well with the mid day heat. Nice citrus on the palate. Very refreshing and also food friendly. Long finish. (90 pts.)
Some CdP's I picked these to bring over as I really thought they might be over the hill, and should be drunken up. I thought we would pop them and see how they were drinking and then move on to other wines. I planned on walking back home to get some other wines, but these really exceeded my expectations and demonstrated that CdP probably ages better than I give it credit for. Everyone seemed to really enjoy them. - 2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Loved this wine. I know some don't like the lushness of the 07's, but I personally find it a great vintage. For those who don't, however, I believe this vintage will age just fine, so hold onto them. This one is still on the youthful side at 7 years from vintage. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has plums, raspberries, anise, spice and floral notes. Great juicy texture. On the palate, plenty of fruit, medium tannins, nice acidity. There is black and red raspberries, pepper and spice. Long finish. Worked great with a variety of homemade pizzas but especially the buffalo cauliflower and tofu pizza. Great wine that will continue to develop for a decade. (96 pts.)
- 2005 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
My last time drinking this was a couple of years ago and I didn't think it would get much better. I was wrong, at least for this bottle. There has been a lot of development and complexity. I would assume now that this is at peak. This was bought on release and cellared by me since then. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is complex with raspberries, saddle leather, floral notes and spice. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is layers of fruit, leather and earth. Nicely complex and all integrated. Nice balance. Long finish. Food friendly. I would be drinking these. (92 pts.)
- 2003 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
I drank a bunch of these on release but this one managed to hide in the cellar until now. I really thought this would have been over the hill, but again, I was wrong. This bottle was drinking quite well. 03 was of course a challenging vintage where some made great wine. I never thought this was particularly great, but this bottle was singing. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, some black raspberries, spice and some briary notes. Lush full bodied texture. Nothing pruney, raisiny or under ripe either. Really delicious. It shows some complexity but does not seem to be fully mature yet as the last glass is the best. Delicious wine. (93 pts.)
We are lucky to have such great neighbors. |
