| 2008-11-16 17:41 |
IWC: By Stephen Tanzer
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, January/February 2003, Issue #106
(Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Papet) ($60; bottled in one go in June; this special cuvee was previously 95% old-vines grenache plus bits of syrah and mourvedre, but in 2000 the wine includes 20% each syrah and mourvedre) Saturated red-ruby. Wonderfully perfumed, highly complex aromas of raspberry, strawberry, redcurrant, blueberry, woodsmoke, violet and tree bark. Very sweet but very bright, with the perfumed quality carrying through on the palate. Highly concentrated but light on its feet, with intriguing herbal and tree bark notes from the mourvedre. (The mourvedre in 2000 was particularly ripe, deeply colored and structured, notes Thierry.) Juicy and very long, with extremely fine tannins. A very classy Chateauneuf with exhilarating aromatic character. 93(+?) points |
| 2008-11-16 17:42 |
WA: The 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape La Cuvee du Papet (only made in 1998, 1990, and 1989) boasts a dense plum/purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of balsam wood, dried herbs, black cherries, currants, plums, and figs. Full-bodied, powerful, and tannic, it is not a Chateauneuf du Pape for those wanting immediate gratification as it requires 3-5 years of cellaring. I am not convinced it is a profound as the 1998 or 1990, but it is a top-flight effort that should age for two decades. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.
Importers: David Hinkle, North Berkeley Imports, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 336-9880, and Ideal Wines, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300 |