Red Rhone

Tasting Notes for Chateauneuf du Pape Fiancee - Barroche, Domaine La, 2006:
The substantial, modern-styled, dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Fiancee is a rich, internationally-styled effort that is at complete odds with the other Chateauneufs from proprietor Julien Barrot. Well-made with outstanding purity, richness, and texture, full-bodied density, and sweet tannins, it should drink well for 10+ years. The Wine Advocate Oct 08
Parker Points: 91
Drinking Period: 2008-2018

Tasting Notes for Chateauneuf du Pape Terroir - Barroche, Domaine La, 2006:
The sexy, lush, dark ruby-hued 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Terroir reveals classic notes of kirsch liqueur and licorice, and a fleshy, heady mouthfeel. It represents a downsized version of the old vine cuvee of Grenache called Pure. It is a beauty to enjoy over the next 7-8 years. The Wine Advocate Oct 08
Parker Points: 90
Drinking Period: 2008-2016

Tasting Notes for Ch de Beaucastel - Perrin, 2005:
The 2005 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape, which is the standard blend of 40% Mourvedre, 40% Grenache, and the rest Syrah, Counoise, and the other permitted red varietals, exhibits a deep purple color and a sweet nose of blackberry, licorice, pepper, Chinese black tea, and considerable spice box and truffle. The wine is medium to full-bodied, and has terrific weight, richness, and moderately high tannins and crisp acidity. Like most 2005s in Chateauneuf du Pape, there is weight, power, richness, but also lots of vibrancy and delineation because of the fresh acids. This wine will require patience, and 4-5 years of cellaring is recommended, perhaps even longer. It will keep for 20+ years. The Wine Advocate, #169 Feb-07.
Parker Points: 93-95
Drinking Period: 2011-2027

Tasting Notes for Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina - Clos St Jean, 2005:
The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus-Ex Machina is utter perfection in the glass Ñ an awesome wine both comparable to and eclipsing the otherworldly 2003. Saturated purple to the rim, with an extraordinary nose of incense, fruitcake, blackberry and black cherry notes with some subtle roasted herbs, roast beef, smoke, and licorice, massive fruit concentration, extraordinary intensity, unreal purity and harmony, and a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this is a tour de force in winemaking and certainly one of the most compelling Chateauneuf du Papes I have ever tasted. The length goes on well past a minute, and the wine should age effortlessly for 25-30+ years. The tannins are formidable according to consulting oenologist Philippe Cambie, but they are nearly obscured by the wineÕs remarkable concentration and intensity. This is a riveting wine. The Wine Advocate Oct 2007
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2010-2030

Tasting Notes for Chateauneuf du Pape Clos des Papes, Magnums - Avril, 2004:
The 2004 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape has turned out to be one of the finest wines of the vintage, tipping the scales at just over 15% alcohol and actually coming a few tenths of a degree within the 2003 and 2005 in terms of power and alcoholic degrees. The wine displays gorgeously sweet black raspberries, kirsch liqueur, and resiny, loamy soil notes. Medium to full-bodied, this blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, and the rest some of the other red varietals that are permitted, is performing beautifully and is certainly one of the vintageÕs superstars. The wine is full-bodied, powerful, rich, and as accessible as the 2003, but slightly fresher and not as muscular and thick. Nevertheless, this is a top effort from the father and son team of Paul and Vincent Avril. This wine can be drunk now but can be cellared for 15-20 years. This exquisitely run estate continues to turn out wines of great fragrance, richness as well as flavor authority and integrity. The yields are always among the lowest in the appellation. While they have 87 acres and can produce as much as 8,000 cases of Chateauneuf du Pape, the yields in 2003 were 23 hectoliters per hectare, in 2004, 22 hectoliters per hectare, and in 2005, 21 hectoliters per hectare. Their best value, and itÕs one heck of a bistro wine, is the non-vintage concoction of Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, and Carignan actually cropped at an amazingly low 32 hectoliters per hectare. The Wine Advocate, #169 Feb-07.
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2007-2027

Tasting Notes for Ch de Beaucastel - Perrin, 2001:
Beaucastel has been on a terrific qualitative roll over the last four vintages, and the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape (which Francois Perrin feels is similar to the 1990, although I donÕt see that as of yet) is a 15,000-case blend of 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 10% Counoise, and the balance split among the other permitted varietals of the appellation. This inky/ruby/purple-colored cuvee offers a classic Beaucastel bouquet of new saddle leather, cigar smoke, roasted herbs, black truffles, underbrush, and blackberry as well as cherry fruit. It is a superb, earthy expression of this Mourvedre-dominated cuvee. Full-bodied and powerful, it will undoubtedly close down over the next several years, not to re-emerge for 7-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025. The Wine Advocate, #151 Feb-04.
Parker Points: 96
Drinking Period: 2008-2025

Tasting Notes for Chateauneuf du Pape - Bosquet des Papes, 2000:
(90 - 92) points. The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Classique displays the most saturated ruby/purple colour of the 2000 offerings. Full-bodied, fat, juicy, succulent and long, it offers sweet black raspberry/currant notes mixed with pepper, Provencal herbs, leather and mincemeat. Although it is not noticeable, there is no doubt plenty of tannin lurking beneath all the glycerin and fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2002 - 2015. Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate Issue 138 (12-21-01).
Parker Points:  -
Drinking Period:  -

Tasting Notes for Chateauneuf du Pape Clos des Papes - Avril, 2000:
The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals 14.6% alcohol, and is stylistically similar to the great 1990. The 2000 is open-knit and fat, with higher levels of glycerin as well as a more corpulent style than the structured, backward 2001. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by sweet, black cherry/kirsch liqueur-like notes presented in a voluptuous, full-throttle, intense style. It is already revealing such secondary nuances as pepper, garrigue, and truffles. Chewy, full-bodied, and moderately tannic, this cuvee is accessible, but not ready to drink. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025. The Wine Advocate, #145 Feb-03.
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2007-2025