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Who Likes This Wine(2)

  1. Easter Everywhere

    Easter Everywhere

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    3marinerfans

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Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 88.6 points

  • Notes after an hour open. Bright ruby hue with only a slight hint of brick, about 70% opaque and clear legs that are very heavy down the sides. Large amount of sediment. A generous and pretty nose of cherry, rose, sap and honeyed spices, some black pepper and mulch. But the palate marches in big and hot and really doesn’t let the fruit shine through, though the acidity is plentiful, and the tannins are soft yet still present. Medium length finish that is still hampered by the abv. Not over the hill yet, but i can’t see the balance improving. 4+12+15+7= 88

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  • 29th Birthday Chateauneuf du Pape Tasting (Weygandt Wines - Washington, D.C.): It was nice having a 2008 red in the mix, as I've really come to enjoy this vintage. Stuck between the 2007s and 2009s, 2008 might get overlooked sometimes. Extracted cherry color. The aromas are really opulent: red plum, iron, purple Mr. Sketch marker, a hint of olive. Plush and sexy on the palate. Cherry fruit mixes with minerals, charcoal and fresh sod. It's that acid on this wine that's got me exited, it's so pure and focused. Very easy to drink now, but I'd like to try it again in five years to see what other complexities come out of this wine.

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  • Huge, big, Walla Walla style nose. High alcohol coming through. Big extract on the palate, which is medium bodied. I'd never guess this to be CdP... seems straight out of Washington. The finish shows lots of spicy alcohol... just booze. The bums could certainly get drunk on this.

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  • Screams drink me now! This one impressive young CdP. Earns high points for friendliness and accessibility! Medium bodied with gentle acid structure and very fine and pretty resolved tannins. Juicy red and purple fruit delivered in a very classy manner. I never even got a whiff of the 15% alc, which this wine handles perfectly. Nice mineral note to it, which made me think Loire cab franc at various points. This goes well with chicken and on its own - I would pair with lighter foods. Drink away!

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  • As you'd expect this is lightweight compared to the 07, but it still delivers terrific CdP typicity and for the money (under $25) is hard to beat. I prefer the 07, but I'll take this lithe 08 over many (pruney, overripe) 03s, and Rimmerman's invocation of Burgundy is right on.

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Vinous

  • By Josh Raynolds
    January/February 2010, IWC Issue #148, (See more on Vinous...)

    (Vignobles Jean Royer Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Tradition) Login and sign up and see review text.

JancisRobinson.com

Garagiste

  • By Jon Rimmerman
    4/13/2010, (See more on Garagiste...)

    (CHATEAUNEUF du Pape Royer) Chateauneuf Dear Friends, I can't remember the last time I enjoyed an entire portfolio from a producer in a supposed "off" vintage as much as the 2008s from Jean Royer. If this is a forgettable year, someone forgot to tell the Royer family. Maybe it's the style of the winery, one that emphasizes the old-school, velveteen sap/kirsch of Grenache versus the new school of more rugged wood and skin tannin (that faired poorly in 2008). Whatever the reason, the entire 2008 stable from this producer is a much needed breath of fresh air. It adds evidence to the fact that Royer's ascension to the inner-circle of CdP is firmly in place. For perspective, I remember when the 2002 Southern Rhones were flushed from the market at crazy prices (the 2002 Pegau was $19.99) but the wines were merely decent at best with obvious green and off notes. That is not the case with 2008 - many of the wines are very good and quite a few border on excellent. They have a Vosne-Romanee, lovely textural appeal that is undeniable. Those that practiced a light pressing and delicate hand produced delicious wines that will make many friends while we wait for our 2005s (and 2007s) to mature. Think of the top 2008s as a fresh-pressed combination of village or 1er Burgundy with varietals from Avignon and it will give you a good idea. I'll probably be lambasted for saying this but I actually think many of you will prefer the 2008s made in this fresh style to their 2007 counterparts, certainly in the near-term. From an outstanding parcel in Bois-de-la-Ville (as well as Les Grandes Serres), the regular CdP in 2008 contains bits and bobs of what would have gone into Royer's Hommage (the vineyard is adjacent to Usseglio's Mon Aieul and Deux Freres parcel, so take note). The 2008 Chëteauneuf-du-Pape personifies the textural appeal of the winery with its round, kirsch-infused style that conveys a weightless and seamless presence that is in no way lightweight. This old-school wine harkens to the early 1980s (1983 comes to mind) and I doubt it will have many detractors. At this price, how could it? This parcel is directly from the cellars at Jean Royer - it is as fresh as can be: 2008 Jean Royer Chateauneuf-du-Pape Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Rhone7235

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