Southern Rhone WIMPS

The Ledbury, London
Tasted Friday, September 24, 2010 by SimonG with 595 views

Flight 1 (2 Notes)

2001 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Mid straw. A touch lighter on the nose than the 96 BeauVV. Slightly fresher acidity too. This has a good weight and decent length. Nothing exciting but certainly very pleasant. ***1/2

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1996 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Cuvée Roussanne Vieilles Vignes

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Dull, old gold colour. Slightly oxidised nose. A touch saline. Quite rounded and rich. Wasn't sure initially but actually the touch of oxidation doesn't bother me. Quite rounded and rich. Recognisably Beau VV. ***(1/2?)

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Flight 2 (3 Notes)

1990 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Very smooth, sweet fruit becoming more savoury with air. A touch of beef. Lovely acidity. Nicely fresh. Does dry out a bit after three and a half hours, but ****1/2

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1994 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Lovely nose, softly scented, the mildest touch of bretty interest. Smooth and nuanced. Good acidity and positive finish. Just right. ****1/2

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1998 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Full ruby, quite a fruity nose but also a sense of alcohol or volatility on the nose. Seems quite spirity and hot on the palate. Not sure what time may do to this; rather shaded by the 94 & 90. ***(?)

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Flight 3 (4 Notes)

1986 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Dense garnet. Very mellow nose, quite clean with a touch of savoury, meaty fruit. Good acidity, a touch of minerality. Slight hint of something metallic on the finish, but doesn't detract. ****

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1994 Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Nicely savoury nose. Darker colour, ruby into garnet. Very savoury palate. Fresh acidity and a touch of glycerin coming through. Elegant. I prefer the Vieux Telegraphe but this is lovely. ****

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1998 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chantemerle

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Fragrant, slightly cabbagey nose, though this blows off after an hour or so. Quite viscous in the mouth. Nice fruit and a good, slightly dry feel to the middle and finish. A little pinched in the middle but this does sweeten up and round out with air. ***1/2

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2001 Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Ripe and full. Quite dense red-black fruit on the nose and palate. Dryish on the finish. Thick and quite viscous. Clearly needs time but should be good. ***1/2 to ***(*)

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Flight 4 (3 Notes)

1985 Clos du Mont-Olivet Châteauneuf-du-Pape

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Magnum. Quick sip. Mellow and mature nose, somewhat farmyardy. All together on the palate, mature, interesting but nothing profound. Very pleasant. ***1/2

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1998 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Laurence

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Quick sip. Slightly vanilla-oaked nose with good dense raspberry fruit. Similar on palate. Smooth and rounded and very impressive if young. First 98 C9 that's really impressed. ***(*1/2)

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1990 Domaine Gramenon Côtes du Rhône Ceps Centenaires

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône

Quick sip. Interesting and pleasant, possibly on the downslope a little. Consistent with previous bottle, good but... ***1/2

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Flight 5 (1 Note)

2005 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Le Chant des Griolles

France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise

Very muscat on the nose. Quite frsh, grapey, some sweetness but not overly so. Probably more of an aperitif than pudding wine. I wonder whether this might have been brighter in its relative youth? Perfectly decent. **1/2

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