The Private Minneapolis Wine Club
Chateauneuf du Pape Tasting
Edina Country Club
December26, 2008
Ten of us gathered for our annual Holiday CDP Tasting at the Edina Country Club. John R. was the official host and it was a one of the best tastings I have attended. I really enjoyed having 2 Clos du Pape wines of the same vintage to taste blind as it made us really work to try and identify them. I threw in the Chateau Chateau Grenache which Matt was able to foil the surprise by saying it was Aussie.
I look forward to another offline real soon!
1998 Clos du Pape Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Leather, mushroom, wood
Taste: Spice, black pepper, wood, and good acidity
Finish: Smooth tannins and well integrated
Evaluation: A nice start to the tasting 92 points
2000 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Spice, floral, red currants
Taste: Some sweetness with spice and raspberries present
Finish: Floral, pepper, intense spices and a touch of sweetness
Evaluation: Solid wine with no flaws 90 points
2005 Tablas Creek Espirit de Beaucastel Paso Robles Rhone Wine
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Raspberries, mushrooms, truffles
Taste: Spice, mineral, good acidity, cinnamon, raspberries
Finish: Medium with spices, mineral, raspberries, strawberries
Evaluation: New World style 91 points
2005 Mas de Boislauzon Cuvee du Quet Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Plum, truffles, minerals
Taste: Black pepper, spice, tons of minerals with good acidity
Finish: Intense with floral, spices, and minerals and incredible balance
Evaluation: My wine of the night 94+ points
2000 Domaine du Pegau Reservee Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Strawberries, floral and a minty quality
Taste: Floral, pepper, strawberries
Finish: Well balanced with floral, pepper, strawberries and minerals on this medium finish
Evaluation: A well made wine with 10 years of aging potential 93 points
1998 Clos du Pape Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Truffles, musty, spice
Taste: Spice, cinnamon, floral, and funky quality on the medium finish
Finish: Spice, oak, and overall elegant wine
Evaluation: Little different then the first bottle with a little more funk 91 points
2006 Chateau Chateau Magic Window Barossa Valley Grenache
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Floral, mineral
Taste: Raspberries, floral, crushed rock, some heat
Finish: Medium and intense with crushed rock, raspberries, blackberries, floral
Evaluation: What you expect from an Australian Grenache 92 points
2005 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Plum, cherry, mineral
Taste: Blackberries, spice, a bit hot
Finish: Mineral, pepper and red currants
Evaluation: Not a top 10 wine of the year in my opinion 87 points
2003 Domaine la Barroche Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Musty with floral and mineral
Taste: Off and high alcohol sensation
Finish: Very short with pepper
Evaluation: Not a good showing 87 points
2001 Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe La Crau Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Spice, pepper
Taste: Light overall with mild spices and a touch of white pepper
Finish: Short and not intense but well made wine
Evaluation: 88 points
2005 Clos du Pape Chateauneuf du Pape
Color: Dark purple
Nose: Cranberry, spice, oak
Taste: Spice, oak, vanilla, mineral and well integrated
Finish: Nice and complex on this medium finish
Evaluation: Well made wine and really enjoyed it 92 points
2002 Joh Jos Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese
Color: Light gold
Nose: Slate, peach, honey
Taste: A touch of sweetness with honey, peach, slate dominating
Finish: Medium and in perfect form
Evaluation: Excellent wine from a sub par vintage 92 points