February 3, 2024 - Somewhat stinky nose was quick to blow off. Aroma of baked black cherries sprinkled with garden herbs. Full-bodied, this is round and rich with an enveloping texture, plenty of sweet black and red fruits with jut enough tannin for food and acidity for freshness! Still quite delicious with plenty of life left. 91
T says 92.
February 1, 2023 - This was a gift from my well-meaning students. Fairly typical S Rhône flavor profile: dark cherry/kirsch and licorice, fairly heavy on the palate (though serving it at mid-winter cellar temp kept the alcohol in abeyance). Just enough acidity to keep it from being goopy. All in all, better than expected.
January 29, 2023 - Decanted for sediment. Cloudy maroon in color, intense fruity nose. Alcohol of 15% was noticeable initially, needed about an hour or so for it to blow off. Very ripe fruits of cherry and plum, with notes of hoisin, spice and herbs. Not a stellar CDP, but enjoyable and a good QPR.
October 26, 2022 - Smells like a typical 2007 CdP, very, very ripe but not aromatic with spices. That said, this has loads of black plum and cherry, blue and blackberry jam and a smattering of herb switches. Full-bodied, this is very rich, loaded with sweet fruit jams wit adequate tannin. Most will love this, but it's decidedly not for me (though it was an excellent foil to char-siu pork). Drink now-2027 91
May 2, 2022 - Southern Rhone is neither a regular visitor to our wine glasses, nor really a personal favourite. Too heady for us, this bottle, open decanted for three hours, had certainly matured but came with a sour balsamic streak that outdid the remaining plummy fruit. Complex yes, but not in a good way. I respect the wine making pedigree and tradition that went into this bottle but further evidence that CdP is simply not for us.
July 30, 2021 - Holy CdP Batman! This is a “why I drink wine” wine. Incredible mocha / milk chocolate powder nose. We kept coming back to that nose and it stayed steady. On the palate - well golly, gee it just kept building and occupying mouth space, filling it with cigar, Provençal spice and … chocolate. Incredible. Bought a case 11 years ago for $35 a bottle. Why do I spend more than that ever? Wow.
PS - I have only had a glass and a half - I’m not looped writing this.
April 26, 2020 - Decanted for 2 hours.
Upon opening it's a heady blast of ripe dark fruits, slight port-like aromas.
Palate it's rich and deep and dense and a fruit bomb with dried herbs. If you enjoy this ripe style then it will hit all your spot. Alcohol pops in and out which are a bit annoying. Mellowed out a bit after 2 hours but this is a big boy (at least for me).
February 22, 2020 - Ready to drink now. Plenty of rich fruit: ripe plum and dark cherry. Tawny port notes, with spice, hoisin, and sweet tobacco. Delicious. Elegant. Medium to full bodied. High abv. so best shared.
October 12, 2019 - We're Not Serving Cali to Friends from Cali! (Chez Lyon in Eugene, OR): 2 hour decant. Same score I gave it in 6/2010 but for different reasons. The brash playful wine is now seasoned, wizened, and serene. Kirsch, leather, spice and garrigue notes. All 5 of us preferred this over the '07 Janasse. On plateau, now-2022.
August 29, 2019 - Last bottle. Nice C9dP flavours, full bodied liqour. Nice but a little too heavy for me right now. At day 2 some bitterness apears at the end. Time to drink up?