8/26/2014 - cmbond Likes this wine:

From half-bottle, served to Camille blind alongside 2009 Giulia Negri La Tartufaia
Camille's blind note below, tasted over 2-3 hours.

C:Garnet-purple to the rim. Nearly opaque.
N:Blueberry, blackberry, jammy fruit, vanilla, bit of black pepper, menthol, not much earthiness, driven by super intense fruit. Intense on the nose. Heavy oak, new world style.
P:Blueberry jam, vanilla, little bit of pepper. Dry, full bodied, medium acid, medium plus alcohol, medium plus tannin, medium plus finish.

Camille's guess: New world, Aussie or California Syrah.

Overall an intense, oaky, new world but well balanced wine. Perfect if you're in the mood for a big monster. Surprised since this is 9 years old and came from half-bottle (maybe it's the cold cellar). Tastes like a hot vintage that Michel Rolland got a hold of. Have had other 05 CNDPs lately (Vieux Donjon, Telegraphe, Clos des Papes) and this one is the least characteristic of the location of any of them. Great if you're in the mood for Aussie Syrah, but we were both pretty shocked by this one, especially having had many Beaucastels in the past.