Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some rim variation along with signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and red brambles, red and purple flowers, maybe some rotundone, leather, stony earth and a mix of cool spices and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the ABV is medium+ to high.
Initial conclusions: this could be a GSM blend, a Bordeaux blend, or a Tempranillo (and blends) from France, the United States or Spain. Despite the powerful fruit, I felt that the wine leaned more towards its structure and non-fruits so I wanted this to be in the geography formerly known as the Old World. I also felt the generosity of the fruit and elevated ABV was pushing me towards a Southern Rhône GSM. Furthermore, I thought this saw a generous use of new oak. Final conclusion: this is a GSM blend from France, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from a modern producer, 2007. Close!! This is another really great showing of “Cuvée La Côte Ronde”. Drink now through 2035.
Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some rim variation along with signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and red brambles, red and purple flowers, maybe some rotundone, leather, stony earth and a mix of cool spices and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the ABV is medium+ to high.
Initial conclusions: this could be a GSM blend, a Bordeaux blend, or a Tempranillo (and blends) from France, the United States or Spain. Despite the powerful fruit, I felt that the wine leaned more towards its structure and non-fruits so I wanted this to be in the geography formerly known as the Old World. I also felt the generosity of the fruit and elevated ABV was pushing me towards a Southern Rhône GSM. Furthermore, I thought this saw a generous use of new oak. Final conclusion: this is a GSM blend from France, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from a modern producer, 2007. Close!! This is another really great showing of “Cuvée La Côte Ronde”. Drink now through 2035.
Lost a lot of fruit, but still tasty
Lost a lot of fruit, but still tasty
1 person found it helpfulOct 18th, 2015Plums, leather, cranberry. Great texture.
Plums, leather, cranberry. Great texture.
Nov 16th, 2015
Glad we drank it now, but delicious. #rhonevalley #chateauneufdupape
Glad we drank it now, but delicious. #rhonevalley #chateauneufdupape
Sep 30th, 2015
Pretty tight, even decanted. Not flawed, very drinkable just not popping. Sharp edges not rounded corners. Floral Grenache aromatics didn't materialize. Might need more time. Might not have it.
Pretty tight, even decanted. Not flawed, very drinkable just not popping. Sharp edges not rounded corners. Floral Grenache aromatics didn't materialize. Might need more time. Might not have it.
Dec 16th, 2014
Don't hate the player. Nice for what it is.
Don't hate the player. Nice for what it is.
Dec 5th, 2014
Superb deep dark fruit, leather, and licorice.
Superb deep dark fruit, leather, and licorice.
Jul 30th, 2017Supple and silky. Drinking spectacularly and must be at peak.
Supple and silky. Drinking spectacularly and must be at peak.
May 18th, 2017
