Chateauneuf du Pape is located on the left bank of the Rhone, 13km north of Avignon. Famed for having thirteen permitted varieties in the blend, in reality mostly Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault are used. The vineyards form vast terraces of red clay, often covered in large Galet stones. The best reds are deep full bodied wines with a fine nose. The small quantites of whites are also strong but with finesse.
Tasting notes: "1995 was a powerful vintage for Brunel. The Cuvee Centenaire remains a young, promising wine offering notes of licorice, cedar, vanilla, and sweet black currant/cherry fruit presented in a full-bodied, virile style. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018." Robert Parker 94 points (Jan 2003)
Tasting notes: Not as massive as the 1989, 1990, or 1998, but superior to the 2000 and 2001, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Centenaire reveals a surprisingly light ruby color that is somewhat deceptive given the explosive aromatics. Aromas of lavender, roasted herbs, pepper, and super-intense black raspberry and sweet black cherry fruit represent the essence of Grenache. Full-bodied, opulent, and disarmingly supple-textured as well as fruit-forward at present, this wine is extraordinarily deep with incredible length and remarkable seamlessness, the likes of which one sees in haute couture. The Cuvee Centenaire, is a combination of 80% tank-aged Grenache, and 15% Mourvedre and 5% Syrah aged in small barrels. This will be interesting to taste out of bottle, but my best guess is that this wine will be approachable young, and last for 15-20 years. Wine Advocate # 179: Oct 2008 Robert Parker
Tasting notes: "The 2003 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape turned out as well as I could have hoped and is certainly an outstanding wine, deep ruby/purple with a tight but promising nose of black fruits, loamy, earthy notes intermixed with pepper, smoke, licorice, and dried herbs. The wine is somewhat closed in the mouth (but it had been bottled 30 days prior to my visit), has full bodied, moderately high, slightly rustic tannins, but big-impact flavors with plenty of texture, density, and purity. Give this wine 3-5 years of bottle age, and drink it over the following 20 years." 92+ pts Robert Parker
Tasting notes: Beaucastel Blanc is produced from 80% Rousanne with small amounts of Grenache blanc, Picardin, Bourboulenc and Clairette, all of which are grown without the use of chemical fertilisers, herbicides or systematic pesticides.
The wines has a lovely complex nose of acacai and peaches, with a subtle hint of hazelnuts. it is fresh yet velvety in the mouth with an exetensive engaging honey finish.
Tasting notes: Wine Advocate # 185
Oct 2009 Robert Parker (89-91)
Production for the grand vin in 2008 was down by 20-25%, and the 2008 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape appears to be a soft, richly fruity wine revealing lots of raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with notions of nori (the seaweed wrapper found in sushi restaurants), roasted Provencal herbs, and garrigue. This lovely front end-loaded effort will be unusually precocious, so it should be drinkable upon release, and will evolve for 7-10 years.
Tasting notes: Wine Advocate # 185
Oct 2009 Robert Parker (89-91)
Production for the grand vin in 2008 was down by 20-25%, and the 2008 Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape appears to be a soft, richly fruity wine revealing lots of raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with notions of nori (the seaweed wrapper found in sushi restaurants), roasted Provencal herbs, and garrigue. This lovely front end-loaded effort will be unusually precocious, so it should be drinkable upon release, and will evolve for 7-10 years.
Tasting notes: The dark ruby-hued 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres offers the sweet black cherry and licorice characteristics one would expect from a 100% Grenache cuvee. Elegant full-bodied round silky textured and consumer-friendly this complex well-made 2007 should drink well for a decade. Drink 2008 - 2018" 89 - 91 Points Robert Parker
Tasting notes: Dense ruby, with liquorice, sweet cherry and lavender notes. This is a truly full-bodied, admirably concentrated wine with an excellently balanced finish.
