2000 Clos du Papes Chateauneuf du Pape (Southern Rhone, France)

This was a great wine with which to celebrate my better half's birthday. Given how little Chateauneuf du Pape (CDP) I have drunk it also reminded me of how much more exploration I have to do of the great wine regions of the world, never mind how much exciting new stuff is out there as well. By reputation Clos du Pape is one of the top estates in Chateauneuf du Pape and this wine didn't disappoint.

Kirsch cherries, florals, and leather on the nose. The entry onto the palate is supple and elegant, but nevertheless has wonderful intensity. Beautiful fruit underpins this wine. It's chock full of spice and still has plenty of lovely tannin at 18 years of age. In turned increasingly earthy through the finish. Superb wine and one that is really in a sweet spot now.

Rated: 95
Drink: 2018-2023+
Website: www.clos-des-papes.fr

2007 Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone (Rhone Valley)

Your enjoyment of this wine will largely depend on your tolerance for a bit of barnyard pong in a wine. For me it works nicely, but for others it might be a bit distracting. Either way its definitely a wine that needs a good decant.

Once it has opened up it actually has a lovely nose of blueberry, some meatiness, a nice floral note, and said barnyard pong. It drunk perfectly as a casual food wine over a Sunday night bowl of Capellini Bolognese. It’s well balanced between nice berry fruit and a savoury, drying impact. It’s not especially serious or structured, but provides plenty of enjoyment and a point of difference. It should drink well for a few more years.


Rated:


RRP: $18
ABV: 14.0%
Website: http://www.saintcosme.com/


Red