Chateauneuf Du Pape at The Orchard

Brett, Carol, Holly and Tony met us at The Orchard for a five course tasting menu with a CdP theme. First course was a mushroom tart, followed by a duck confit salad, seared scallop, lamb shank Osso bucco style, and then chocolate 5 ways for dessert. A great evening with wonderful food, wine and company.

• 2006 Domaine de Marcoux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

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

  Citrus, honeysuckle, nutty, butterscotch? Good acidity and ver long finish. Real interesting nose. Great start to the evening.

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• 2008 Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée

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

  Meaty/bloody, masculine, black pepper, spicey, chewy, mesquite, bay leaf, complex nose. This bottle was complex but not particularly deep or dense. Overall pretty solid though I think this was the groups least favorite. Of the 08 CdPs I've had, the Vieux Donjon is the best so far.

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• 2006 Les Cailloux (Lucien et André Brunel) Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  If the 08 Pegau was a crude, rough around the edges man, this was a soft, voluptuous woman. More fruity, soft textured. Red fruits, notes of vanilla and not quite as dry as the Pegau. More modern in style. Easy drinking.

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• 2006 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Very dry, black pepper, tart darker fruits, blackberry, plum, black cherry, earthy, black tea, spices, chewy and structured. Delicious and my favorite of the night along with the 2000 Beaucastel.

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• 2000 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Dark honey, rocks/iron, subtle earth, complex and elegant. Much more integrated than the 07. Drinking well now but should hold up or improve for quite a while longer. Delicious.

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• 2007 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape

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

  Black cherry, vanilla, spices, good depth, young, tobacco. Almost comes across as sweet compared to the 2000. As it opened the fruit turned darker and the wine put on weight and depth. Lots of potential here, and I will try to wait until 2020 or later before I open my only bottle.

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I love CdP but I would still consider myself a newbie when it comes to this region. So far I have learned that for the $$, Le Vieux Donjon is tough to beat. Also, Beaucastels really need at least a decade to be at their best. Also, I prefer the more traditional producers. Please recommend any that fall into that style!