January 15, 2022 - Final btl of this after 16 years in the box. Similar to the one from 2020, this is really nice and challenges my long held assertion that I no longer like CdPs and that I should not have bought so many of them. Huge flamboyant nose of candied cherries, kirsch, underbrush, balsamic and mushroom, and yes, very bretty (which I don't have a problem with). Gobs of black pepper. The opposite of subtlety but in an Old World not International way. This is ultimately a bit hot in the mouth (EtOH) and slightly drying which speaks to the fact that this is a couple-few years in the decline. Even so, this is an excellent wine experience and one that demands attention. I think I have only one remaining '03 Charbonniere CDP left (a different cuvee) and I will try to get to that soon.
August 28, 2020 - Bought in '05 for $24. Last bottle in '17 was spoiled, but this one is truly superb. While I bought so much CDP 15-20 years ago, I eventually came around to thinking I didn't really enjoy drinking them (except Ch Beaucastel, of course), but this wine really challenges that assertion. Gorgeous fruit of dark berries, kirsch, and black cherries. Saddle leather, tar, forest floor. Nice iron finish with dusty tannins. This is truly drinking beautifully and has likely benefited greatly from age. I have a few more older bottle from this domaine in box that I am now looking forward to.
May 28, 2019 - Holding up well. As before.
March 2, 2018 - Dark red verging on ruby. Fine aromas of coffee, cherry and leather. Palate is more austere with leather predominate. Fruit for the most part hinted at rather than tasted until the last glass of the approximately half bottle drunk on night one (decanted by the way.) Overall, a fine accompaniment for wagyu New York strips. Did I note this is from the super-hot 2003 vintage? Doesn't have overripe or much ripe fruit. But, given glacial yet noticeable development over the last 13 years, I wager that this would make a surprisingly outstanding drink at age 25 or 30. Alas, for my last bottle, this is merely Excellent.
July 26, 2017 - Bought on release, finally got to one. Poopy poopy poopy! This is by far the poopiest Pape I have ever had. If Beaucastel is kitty litterbox, this stuff is an outhouse for a Bengal tiger. Now I love brett as much as the next dude, but this is way way over the top to the point that I have to say that it is flawed. It tastes like.... well you know. There is also some slight pricking on the tongue. Underneath this is typical grenache fruit, some saddle leather, and decaying leaves. Hard to recommend this wine at this stage but my fault for hanging on to this for so long. I have more of this so perhaps it is an off bottle. I have drunk the whole Dm Charbonniere range from the mid-90s to early 00s, although this is my first 03 in this cuvee, and overall I have found them to be classic and well-made. This one if just too fecal to enjoy.
July 7, 2017 - Garnet. Herbs de Provence, pine needles, forest floor and mercurochrome. Lotsa sediment (decant or stand up for some time). After ½ the medicine blows off. Red fruit, strawberry, and dusty dried herbs. Drinking really well. Great QPR.
July 7, 2017 - Garnet. Herbs de Provence, pine needles, mountain forest floor, and mercurichrome nose. Lotsa sediment (I'd decant or really stand up). Medicinal odor gone after ½ hr of air. Red fruit, strawberry, and dusty dried herbs. Drinking really well.
December 22, 2016 - Nice notes of spice in the bouquet, but another less pleasant aroma as well, a sort of eucalyptus odor. Decanted for 40 minutes, moderate amount of sediment. Pleasant tasting with the spice joined by some light fruit. A good wine but not an exceptional one. Went well with a hearty stew.
February 28, 2016 - A particularly good bottle of this. dark fruited nose with licorice, funk and game. Ripe fruit but good structure dark and brooding but with enough balancing sweetness to the fruit to make it a good drink. Excellent bottle.
November 29, 2015 - As before. No deterioration.