Retail $60. Under cork. I was a member of Clos Pepe for years, right up until it shut its doors following the 2014 vintage. Over the years, I purchased close to 200 bottles from the winery, but only seven of them were "Vigneron Select" wines--from the best barrels. And this is the first of those seven that I have popped. Whoa. Light in color but plenty of those aromas that I associate with Clos Pepe: tart cherry, baking spice, eucalyptus. Whoa. The palate is powerful, but in a delicate way; the flavors are intense and layered, but this wine does not hit you over the head. Instead, it takes you by the hand and encourages you to slow down a bit. And if you do? You will be handsomely rewarded.
Tea, underbrush and smoky black fruit on the nose. Nice spicy fruit and acidity on the palate, but a fading vegetal note makes me think this is really on its last legs. Drink up if you have them.
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Dying or dumb phase? It's gained a lot of weight, but less and less depth and definition in spite of being a fairly structured 2009. It drank better early. Bits of fining agent have settled out. This is turning out to be a bit of a wreck over time (not new of CP).
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12/5/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 95 Points
Retail $60. Under cork. I was a member of Clos Pepe for years, right up until it shut its doors following the 2014 vintage. Over the years, I purchased close to 200 bottles from the winery, but only seven of them were "Vigneron Select" wines--from the best barrels. And this is the first of those seven that I have popped. Whoa. Light in color but plenty of those aromas that I associate with Clos Pepe: tart cherry, baking spice, eucalyptus. Whoa. The palate is powerful, but in a delicate way; the flavors are intense and layered, but this wine does not hit you over the head. Instead, it takes you by the hand and encourages you to slow down a bit. And if you do? You will be handsomely rewarded.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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2/29/2020 - Djfermentation Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rather masculine in profile. Nice baking spice notes with darker fruit more in the backyard this point. Robust but with balance and solid acidity.
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4/15/2019 - jreis wrote:
Tea, underbrush and smoky black fruit on the nose. Nice spicy fruit and acidity on the palate, but a fading vegetal note makes me think this is really on its last legs. Drink up if you have them.
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10/9/2016 - yossarian.livez wrote:
Dying or dumb phase? It's gained a lot of weight, but less and less depth and definition in spite of being a fairly structured 2009. It drank better early. Bits of fining agent have settled out. This is turning out to be a bit of a wreck over time (not new of CP).
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11/24/2014 - JOsgood wrote:
This is still huge and very young. Dark in color. Big Pinot fruit on the nose. Tons of structure on the palate, should go for years.
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