May 11, 2024 - Head to head: Clos des Papes 05 vs Beaucastel 05 vs Pegau 05.
2nd place finisher, just lacking the energy of the Pegau. But a fabulous wine at peak - fruit, spice, some funk and good freshness, probably the most delicate of the three.
May 4, 2024 - Slightly tannic on opening but placid w/ a 2hr decant. Served in Reidel Burgs. I serve all my reds in the high 50s / very low 60s. Clos des Pape is one of the few CDPs I still enjoy for it's balance, red fruit and nuance. Never feels heavy & nor heady. Think this is largely at peak. I do have one left and will finish it off next year. 14% alc. 92+/93
April 13, 2024 - Nez dates et anis. Bouche ronde, avec encore une bonne puissance issue du millésime, un vin ample et généreux, très bon mais pas un grand Clos des Papes sur cette bouteille. 92-93 pts
April 8, 2024 - Corked :(
March 16, 2024 - Similar experience to pbaek. Pop n poured. Funky on the noise. Dark fruit plums and almost over oxidized almost past prime it seemed not as enjoyable as hoped. Bought bottle second hand several years ago
January 14, 2024 - Super CdP. Excellent, fresh and mature. Fruit in place but still this is nice.
December 31, 2023 - Dark matter, animal notes, dark plums, and mint notes. Walks a fine line between tasting like Amarone and tasting like Chateauneuf du Pape. This is much better than the 2004 right now, though. I can’t really tell if this needs more time in the cellar or not, but it’s tiresome to drink. Too heavy for my palate at least.
December 17, 2023 - Elegant juice. Excellent structure, silky smooth, loads of dark fruit. A real beauty.
December 8, 2023 - WS 2007 #1 wine enjoyed with my brother in law in a social setting. Just a touch of brick on a dark garnet core. Nose is giving and clean. So far, so good! On the tongue this is even more giving. Layered, but a bit rustic. Clearly mature and also delicious.
Glad that I shared this with a friend. Would be a shame to waste this on myself. A very special wine indeed.
Easy 94.
December 1, 2023 - Faded ruby. Wonderful aromatic mix of red fruit and bark with secondary perfume. Medium weight. Beautifully softened dark red fruit and more savory elements in the background with excellent acidity, a twist of citrus, and moderate remaining tannins. At peak.