PHMG WAG: the '07 Chateauneufs

These were bought on release and stored fairly cool 8 mos a year, 58f in summer. All were double decanted 90 minutes before the start and retasted several times over the next 3 hours.

For the first time in over a hundred of these events we jumped right into these nice mature wines. Duck liver pate, bacon, crostini with a drizzle of reduced balsamico was pretty good with the first wine, then some spicy tri-tip, fairly bland boudin blanc, and truffle salami; cheeses, salad, yada, yada...

• 2007 Delas Frères Châteauneuf-du-Pape Haute Pierre 90 Points

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

  Mature and smooth, this was our opener for a tasting of fairly basic '07 CdP's. Nice cherry, raspberry, earth, garrigue and spice. A little more savory than fruity. Now-2018 unless you like them super mature.

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• 2007 Patrick Lesec Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pierres Dorées 92 Points

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

  More fruit than the previous wine /Delas. Black cherry liqueur, plum, then the pepper and earth notes. Decent structure and good integration. Now-2019.

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• 2007 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Lion 91 Points

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

  Back to a little more savory wine in this tasting. Kirsch and berry fruit runs into leather, garrigue, iodine/kelp, and some minerality. On plateau, now-2018.

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• 2007 Domaine de Saint Siffrein Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

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

  This wine surprised in a non-blind way, the velvety texture of this bottle was a standout feature. Liqueur after liqueur poured out of the glass with some tar, earth and herbs thrown in. Now-2019.

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• 2007 Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-du-Pape 93 Points

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

  Another excellent wine in this group. Very nice depth of kirsch, leather, minerals, smoke, garrigue and spice. Great length gave it an extra point. Now-2019.

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• 2007 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée La Cote Ronde 94 Points

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

  Liked this more than 6 years ago. And it still has some backbone! A 50:50 mix of savory and fruit flavors with garrigue and earth balancing on the roasted dark fruit for quite a while on the backside. Now-2020.

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• 2007 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine 95 Points

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

  WOTN #2, this had bigger black fruit in layers, then iron, pepper, cocoa, and herbs. Perhaps 60:40 fruit to savory ratio. Now-2019.

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• 2007 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape 94 Points

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

  More classic CdP than previous wines in this tasting with a trace of funk overlying the garrigue, earth, and cherry notes. Anise, pepper, and leather show up eventually. Nice depth and length. Tannins resolved. Now-2018.

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• 2007 Domaine Saint Préfert Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Auguste Favier 95 Points

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

  WOTN. Better than 3 years ago, this is all about depth, complexity, and length. Black fruit, Grenache underbrush, tar, pepper / spice, leather, and kelp going on and on. First and only bottle drained by this group of tasters. 95+, now-2020.

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• 2007 Domaine de Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils) Châteauneuf-du-Pape Boisrenard 93 Points

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

  Finally found a "young" slightly tight wine in this group. Black fruit, cherry liqueur, tar, leather, garrigue, and stone need a little more time given the firm tannins. Only one of the ten that improved overnight. Best: 2018-2025.

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I was worried about a "monolithic" tasting, but there WAS variety in taste and texture. 9/10 fell off a bit the next day ungassed, so that explains most of the "drink soon" dates.