February 29, 2024 - Accelerated bottle
June 15, 2022 - Still holding up fine, the vintage speaks. Alcohol showing, whiffs off with air, sound Grenache here, mature, no hard edges. Drinking a point, no need to wait.
#Kandestederne
December 21, 2021 - 1998-2007 Roger Sabon Chateauneuf du Pape (blind tasting) (Virtual Tasting): Nose: 90+; Palate: 90+
My #4, Group's #1 (50 pts). Tasted blind.
April 4, 2020 - Lovely bottle. Several years past ideal peak but still within (at very end) top drinking window. Plum, mint, licorice, black pepper, leather, forest floor. Acid fading but still medium. Spiciness upon popping, but that faded fairly quickly along with acid. Round and balanced, maybe even a little too round at this point.
March 18, 2020 - I thought this was at peak in 2014, but it's as good or even better now. Plum fruit and kirsh is still fresh and at the forefront, but perhaps the garrigue notes have faded (going by memory). On the modern side of CdP vs VT, but has enough Old World style to remain true.
December 8, 2018 - Gave it 30mins decant. Drinks perfectly now
November 12, 2018 - What a treat. Probably at its peak and will remain for 4+ years. Dusty leather with forest (and no Bret) on the nose. Cassis, dark red and dark fruit berries, hint of prune, brambles and anise, all harmoniously playing on the palate. Not a wimpy wine, but seamless. Great with or without food. Glad I waited until now to open.
June 6, 2018 - Our first CDP in a while. What a treat! Gentle tannins, although present. Soft fruit, but still quite available. Beautiful color. Delicious mouthfeel. Aerated from the bottle to a pitcher, let sit for 30 min. then aerated back into the bottle for serving. Vacuum pumped and refrigerated for overnight, then finished the second day at room temp. No discernible deterioration on the 2nd day.
April 10, 2018 - Time to drink this, I think; the overall impression is brownish, alcohol showing a wee bit. Very nice local feel, certainly a decent effort, very much a châteauneuf-du-pape, lacks maybe only a bit of precision ...
January 20, 2018 - May have peaked already?