May 25, 2023 - Better than expected and pretty well integrated for such a large wine. It shows the heat of the vintage and is very extracted but the age has pulled the alcohol, fruit bomb, wood and dense mouthfeel together into a nice package. The last 3 CT notes are instructive. Not sure where it goes from here and this was my last bottle. Went great with a grilled tomahawk pork chop w a sweetish glaze.
January 29, 2023 - 2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape tasting: Basically the same style as the Deus-Ex Machina; noticeably alcoholic, thick, jammy and liquer-like. Only less complex. Slightly tired, if I had some I would make a point of drinking them within a few years.
January 21, 2023 - This bottle was amazingly good! Seamless and elegant in character, dark mature fruit, loads of liquorice, dried herbs and well integrated alcohol and wood. Much better than expected!
January 14, 2023 - First bottle of this in almost 6 years for me. Out of Riedel Sommelier Cab glass, which I sometimes thinks looses the aromas of a wine, but as the last bottle I had I found steamy and boozy, I figured that would be a good thing! This was a pop and pour, served at cellar temperature. The aromas feel fairly balanced right now, with rich ripe fruit towards the red spectrum, garrigue, and perhaps briar. There is some steaminess present, but it does hide fairly well in this glass. Palate entry is rich and dark, almost port like in texture and intensity. Definitely a lot of alcohol is present, with flavors on the red plum spectrum, and overall it tastes like a dark chocolate covered candied cherry. Acidity is very intense, with just light tannins. As its held and warms up, more stewed flavors develop. Rich and dark fruit, again nearly port like in its intensity on the finish, that chocolate cherry, and here it's pretty delicious and strong. Acid lingers long on the finish, but there's also a disrupted acid churned up in my belly. It's a simple wine, but the age has helped it tremendously. I found it offensive and out of balance those 6 years ago. I also see no hurry to drink these. I'm very pleased to see that fruit intensity an booze actually integrate. Sure, it tastes like port, but again, the flavor is actually enjoyable. Not how I'd write the script for my CDP, but overall I'm very pleased with the development from where it started. Based on that, I think I'll wait another ~5 years for my next one, as I suspect as it softens further, I'll enjoy it more. Note, this was best on day one at cellar temperature. A bit more boozy as it warmed up and the next day.
January 27, 2022 - Popped and poured, and drank over two hours. I liked this one more a few years ago, but I still like it. Velvety mouthfeel, and still a fruit bomb. Not bad cost / performance.
January 7, 2022 - Never delivered
December 24, 2021 - CsJ and Deus ex Machina tasted; DeM darker, more browny, both quite dark red; CsJ fresh dark fruit nose, DeM more tertiary, light caramel; both lots of power, CsJ dark fruit, licorice, slightly tannic dry ending, long somewhat acidic aftertaste; DeM less power, more refined, less fruit, quite some caramel, subtle but also dry aftertaste; two quite different wines, not sure why DeM so much higher rated, perhaps more complexity (?) Table was a tie in terms of “best”; me (?) guess I prefer the CsJ - more fresh, and a fraction of the price of DeM, which did not quite “make it” tonight I believe.
December 6, 2021 - Comparativement à la précédente. (Peu de tanin et quelque peu vinaigrée) cette bouteille remplit ses promesses!
September 7, 2021 - Last bottle of this great QPR CdP drunk with braised pork shoulder. Still lots of fruit plus earthy notes. Gorgeous and for less than $30.
June 5, 2021 - The current price raises my eyebrows. It is quite good, though. A bit sharp on opening, the wine mellows with time into smooth and rich southern Rhone blend.