Champagne, Scotch, and Rhône

I had a couple NY strips that were crying out for some French wine. At first I was thinking St. Emilion or Pomerol, but then realized (thank you CellarTracker) that I had a few Chateauneuf du Papes that I'd not yet tried. And what better aperitif than Champagne? with a Scotch whisky to follow (Balvenie DoubleWood 17-yr, which is no longer made).

• NV Louis Roederer Champagne Collection 244 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Better than my previous note (7/16/2025). Pale gold. Brioche, apple, honey, chalk, saline, grapefruit. A little nutty and buttery: sounds odd, but like the Champagne version of P'tit Basque cheese (I promise, this is a good thing). Initially creamy mouthfeel develops increasing acidity, with a lemon custard moving toward lemon pith. A little nutty. Medium-length finish. Very nice; currently my favorite NV Champagne. Aperitif to dinner with NY strips.

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• 2017 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape 90 Points

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

  First experience with this wine. Stabbed with the Coravin. Highly extracted nose shows strawberries, earth, a little blackberry, cool spearmint? Very fruity palate with nice berry acidity. Fine, soft, plush tannins with a touch of graphite. High alcohol not noticeable; everything in balance.
  
  Nice, crowd-pleasing wine, but not very Chateauneuf-du-Papey; this is not something you'd have in a cozy French bistro with steak frites and béarnaise. Would've rated it higher, but lacking typicity. Tasted blind, I would've have guessed a Cali zin field blend.
  
  65% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault. 15% ABV.
  
  Tasted alongside a 2019 Cellier des Princes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Heredita and a 2020 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Secrets de Pignan. Paired with NY strips and a Madeira cream sauce.

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• 2019 Cellier des Princes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Heredita 93 Points

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

  First experience with this wine. Stabbed with the Coravin. Jammy and herbaceous. Extracted and extravagant Grenache-y nose with gobs of strawberry preserves, as well as cocoa powder, blueberry, and cured meat. More juicy fruit on the palate with structured tannins on the finish. Blueberry city, more cocoa, orange? on the long finish. High alcohol not noticeable. This wine has the fruit and structure to be around for many years.
  
  95% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre. 16% ABV.
  
  WA rates this a 96. Pro grade inflation is well known, but in my experience it's more of a function of high-80s wines scoring in the low 90s. This wine is amazing, and should be for some time, even if not 96. Would buy more.
  
  Tasted alongside a 2017 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a 2020 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Secrets de Pignan. Paired with NY strips and a Madeira cream sauce.

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• 2020 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Secrets de Pignan 94 Points

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

  First experience with this wine--and won't be my last. Stabbed with the Coravin. Jammy strawberry, white pepper, black olive, saline, orange spritz, and some cool licorice. Juicy acidity, fine tannins, and no noticeable alcohol--everything in balance. Raspberries on the finish. Plenty of fruit and structure for the long haul.
  
  100% Grenache. 100-year-old vines. 15% ABV.
  
  This wine is the most serious of the three CdPs I tasted here, and will be even better in a few years. But can one wait that long? It is delicious. I'd buy more.
  
  Tasted alongside a 2017 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a 2019 Cellier des Princes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hérédita. Paired with NY strips and Madeira cream sauce.

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The Roederer NV is currently my favorite NV Champagne. Of the three CdPs, the 2020 La Bastide Saint-Dominique Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Secrets de Pignan is #1; the 2019 Cellier des Princes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Heredita is #2; and the 2017 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape is #3.