Super Chateauneuf Du Pape Tasting at Wine Watch

"Like a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape, I'm fine like wine when I start to rap."
Beastie Boys- “Body Movin’”

Alphonse Daudet, the French writer, once called Châteauneuf-du-Pape the "Wine of Kings and the King of Wines."  The wines of this region with the easy sounding name have been legendary for hundreds of years.  In 1309 a French Cardinal was elected Pope Clement V.  Because there was much strife between the French King and Rome, Pope Clement chose to remain in France.  The Pope, formerly the Bishop of Bordeaux, owned his own vineyard in the Graves district of Bordeaux (now known as Château Pape-Clement and one of the better properties of Graves); and he was very interested in cultivating vines in the new papal residence he established in Avignon.  It was really Clement's successor, Pope John XXII, who did extensive planting of vineyards and constructed a castle outside of Avignon, called the Châteauneuf-du-Pape or "new house of the Pope."  This was an affluent time in Avignon; many parties were thrown and much wine was drunk.  Although wine had been grown in the surrounding villages for 150 years, it was the papacy that spread the fame of these wines from Avignon.

In the 1920's some of the growers at Châteauneuf-du-Pape became really concerned about the amount of "foreign" wine being sold as Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  The late Baron Le Roy, the proprietor of Château Fortia, one of the great estates of the district, drew up a set of laws to guarantee the authenticity and the origin of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  These laws later became the model for France's Appellation Contrôllée laws and were later copied by the Germans, the Spanish, and the Italians.  Although the laws have been in force for some years, it was common knowledge that for many years there was still a great amount of illegitimate wine labeled Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  The local growers and estate owners realize that one of the problems is that 80% of the wine is made and bottled at facilities outside the district; this obviously leaves room for tremendous abuse.  IN the past you could have found many Châteauneuf-du-Papes from shippers to be variable in quality, and many wine publications only recommended those wines that were estate bottled within the district.  In order to make these wines more identifiable to the consumer, the growers use a bottle with the old papal coat of arms. 

Today, this is NOT the case, although we are not saying that there is no more fake Chateauneuf du Pape out there, you can rest assure that all the wines on this offering are the genuine article.  These are some of the top producers coming from this area today.  This offering contains every bottle of Chateauneuf Du Pape that we have in the store and we have an incredible selection going back to the 1988 vintage!!

As many as thirteen different varieties can go into the make-up of a Châteauneuf; each grower swears by the percentage of the grape he uses.  Since different grapes contribute different characteristics to the overall wine (Grenache and Cinsault for warmth and mellowness; Mourvèdre and Syrah for solidity and color etc.), it is understandable how different estates with different grape compositions can produce very different wines.  Further complicating everything is how the harvest conditions affect the grapes - all of which ripen at slightly different intervals.  It is easy to see why the variation in quality is broader in Châteauneuf-du-Pape than perhaps any wine district in France. 

This tasting will feature 10 older vintage wines are drinking at or near their peak right now.  The 2007 is an epic vintage and needed some time for the best wines to really show their stuff.  The 2006 was another forward and more drinkable year, some critics called it a bad year but we like to say there are only bad producers in our opinion.  Then there is the 2005 vintage which was a tannic monster when released and that is why we are doing scientific research with wine…now it’s time to check and see if we need to start opening up these bottles or do they still need more time!!

We have also just acquired a big collection of Chateauneuf du Pape from the last two decades and all of these wines are listed on this offering!! If you are a CDP fan you don’t want to miss this event, there are only 14 seats available and Wine Watch Catering’s Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this tasting is $115 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

Super Chateauneuf Du Pape Tasting at Wine Watch
Thursday, May 5, 2016
7:00 PM

One of the most famous wine regions on earth this wine is considered to be one of the most regal on the planet earth.  Tonight we have ten of the greatest examples of this regal wine. 

1998 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee
Price: $179.00    Sale Price: $139.00
Quantity in Stock: 11

(96 Points) The 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Laurence, the finest example of this offering I have yet tasted (even better than the 1989, 1990, and 1995), spent four years in small barrels prior to being bottled unfiltered. A spectacular effort, it is a monument to great Chateauneuf du Pape. A dense plum/purple color is followed by aromas of sweet black fruits intermixed with tobacco, cedar, pepper, and fruitcake. Powerful, rich, and concentrated, with a finish that lasts for nearly a minute, this wine is performing far better than when I tasted it a year ago. It is a legendary Chateauneuf du Pape in the making. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025.

2000 Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf du Pape
Price: $65.00    Sale $55.00

The sexy, open-knit 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape's deep ruby color is followed by aromas of sweet kirsch liqueur intermixed with balsam wood, resin, herbes de Provence, and loamy soil scents. This heady Chateauneuf is gorgeously pure, with loads of fruit. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.”  Wine Advocate

2001 Chapoutier Chateauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac
Price: $100.00    Sale $85.00

(95 Points) "The profound 2001 Châteauneuf du Pape Barbe Rac boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a nose of garrigue, licorice, kirsch liqueur, cassis, and new saddle leather. This superbly concentrated, full-bodied, multidimensional wine coats the palate with glycerin and sweet fruit. There is not a hard edge to be found, but wow, what intensity and length (the finish lasts for close to one minute). The 2001 should turn out to be a legendary effort capable of lasting 15-20 years." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate #151, Drink from: 2004-2024 (WA, 02/01/2004)

2003 Clos Des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape MAGNUM
Price: $300.00    Sale Price: $240.00
Quantity in Stock: 1

2003 Clos Des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape
Price: $150.00    Sale Price: $110.00
Quantity in Stock: 11

(98 points)   A great bottle and showing the hallmark elegance of the estate, the 2003 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape offers up a kirsch liqueur, liquid flower, red licorice and spice-box driven bouquet along with a full-bodied, seamless, silky profile on the palate. Still beautifully put together and aging gracefully, with a core of sweet fruit, it is certainly drinking well now, yet should continue to hold and drink nicely through 2020.  eRobertParker.com #207 Jun 2013

2005 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf Du Pape
Price: $100.00    Sale Price: $80.00
Quantity in Stock: 11

96 Points) Really dense and locked up now, this is packed with dark fig, currant and blackberry fruit shrouded by layers of tar, hot stone, bittersweet licorice and espresso. The long, dense finish has a great tug of iron buried within it. Best from 2011 through 2030. 15,000 cases made. “JM The Wine Spectator

2005 Domaine Monpertuis Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition
Price: $65.00    Sale $50.00

(92 Points) "Tight-grained and holding a lot in reserve, with a core of black cherry, plum, cedar, dark licorice and tar notes that will need cellaring to unwind. Has a long, well-structured finish. Best from 2009 through 2021. 250 cases imported." Wine Spectator Drink from: 2009-2021 (WS, 12/15/2007)

2006 Roger Sabon Le Secret de Sabon Chateauneuf du Pape
Price: $150.00    Sale $125.00

(96 Points) The top cuvee of the estate, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Le Secret des Sabon is a field blend that’s dominated by Grenache (it’s over 95% Grenache). Completely destemmed and aged all in demi-muids, it’s always one of the appellations most profound wines. In 2006 it offers a big, rich, full-bodied, super sexy style, and is about as unctuous and concentrated as they come in the vintage. Revealing fabulous purity in its cassis, licorice, dried flowers and spice-scented bouquet, this beauty is a great drink today, but will certainly continue evolving gracefully for another 15+ years. - Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, March 2016

2007 Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin
Price: $125.00    Sale Price: $100.00
Quantity in Stock: 11

(95-99 Points) I have had so many terrific examples of the Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin that it’s hard to say the 2007 is the finest of all, but it is truly an amazing, old vine Grenache cuvee. Just under 20,000 bottles were produced from sand and clay soils. This inky/purple-colored wine reveals exquisite aromatic fireworks consisting of creme de cassis, black raspberries, licorice, incense, and spice, awesome fruit, major concentration, and a serious finish of close to a minute. For a wine of such enormous size, it is remarkable for its overall equilibrium and freshness. Wine Advocate # 179, Oct 2008

2007 Domaine du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz
Price: $100.00    Sale $80.00

 "The wines are superb across the board and lean towards the fruit end of spectrum, with beautifully pure flavors and supple textures being the name of the game."
- The Rhone Report

Le Clos du Caillou dates back to at least the first part of the 20th century. However, the modern era for Clos du Caillou began when it was purchased in 1956 by the Pouizin family. The domaine was managed by Claude Pouzin until 1995. At that point in time, the Sylvie, the daughter of Claude Pouizin and her husband, Jean-Denis Vacheron began to run the estate, taking Clos du Caillou in a new direction. Tragically, Jean-Denis Vacheron died in an accident in 2002. While the property has a history in Chateauneuf du Pape, the reason there are no great older vintages, or any older vintages for that matter is simple, Until 1993, they sold the majority of their harvest to negociants.

2007 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape
Price: $70.00    Sale $60.00

95+ points Robert Parker: "Still backward and unevolved, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape (75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% other authorized varietals) was aged completely in foudre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a reticent, but burgeoning bouquet of black cherries, plums, black currants, garrigue, lavender, and licorice. One can sense the weight, power, and richness in the mouth, but the tannins are there, and the wine also has very good acids. Consequently, patience will be required, and this is one 2007 where 2-3 years of bottle age is warranted. The wine is capable of lasting 15-20+ years..." (10/09)

Menu

Selection of Cheese:  Tombe

Grilled Harpke Farms heirloom tomatoes served with warm Burrata and sundried tomato and balsamic drizzle

Goat cheese and wild mushroom stuffed Poblano Chile with cream corn, red bell pepper puree and cilantro cream

There are only 14 seats available and Wine Watch Catering’s Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this tasting is $115 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.