Seeking TN on the 2003 Cinq Cepages

After a search without any results, I'm compelled to ask if anyone has any experience with the 2003 Cinq Cepages? I'm thinking of Christmas dinner. Is it too soon to open to enjoy?

[Jenise]

Jon, just checked my notes and it was the 02 I had a few weeks ago, so no help here. And so I checked Cellar Tracker's store of user notes and only found one entry for the 03. Looks like everyone's leaving the 03 alone, but my experience is the Cinq Cepages usually show well early, or at least with a decanter and some coaxing.

Thank you, Jenise. I may reconsider my selection, but it sounds like decanters are especially in order and decanting about an hour before dinner.
Merry Christmas to you.
JP

Here's what Laube had to say about it:

Austere, with spicy red currant, black cherry, herb and berry notes that are balanced on the lean, tannic side. Drink now through 2010. 12,600 cases made. $75, 86 points. –JL

Thank you, Randy - good news especially since I paid about $40 at Costco.
JP

[Jenise]

Jon, adding to the good news: Laube panned the 02 as well, but I thought it was perfectly splendid.

Laube panned the 02

So did Tanzer:

Spicy cassis and sassafras on the nose; turned quite oaky as it opened in the glass. Juicy, supple and flavorful, with currant and spice flavors joined by an herbal element on the back. Finishes with building tannins and a green quality that became more pronounced with aeration. 86 points

That is my complaint with CP -- quite oaky for my palate.

but my experience is the Cinq Cepages usually show well early, or at least with a decanter and some coaxing.

I know you know that your ability to drink this stuff mystifies me, speaking of Waaaat? The wine might impart a similar experience to some of the '03 Bordeaux. I realize it is probably good wine because knowledgeable people drink it.

Hey, Jon, good to see you posting here. Welcome (back, sort of . . .)

[Jenise]

Laube panned the 02

So did Tanzer:

Spicy cassis and sassafras on the nose; turned quite oaky as it opened in the glass. Juicy, supple and flavorful, with currant and spice flavors joined by an herbal element on the back. Finishes with building tannins and a green quality that became more pronounced with aeration. 86 points

That is my complaint with CP -- quite oaky for my palate.

Understood, Bucko. Someone brought this to dinner a month or two ago. I probably liked it for the very reasons Laube and Tanzer didn't. Laube gave it a low 80's score (I looked up reviews the next day, curious.) It wasn't huge, and the herbal quality was well balanced with spice and fruit which is rather Bordeauxish, even if sweeter and more forward. Also, it had plenty of acid to balance the oak. It was the most complex of the wines on the table, and wasn't full of jammy red fruit like the surprising crowd favorite, a Smith & Hook.

[Jenise]

but my experience is the Cinq Cepages usually show well early, or at least with a decanter and some coaxing.

I know you know that your ability to drink this stuff mystifies me, speaking of Waaaat? The wine might impart a similar experience to some of the '03 Bordeaux. I realize it is probably good wine because knowledgeable people drink it.

See my reply to Randy. Also, speaking of mystified, I don't understand how you can not just drink but PREFER heavily-toasted-oak Califiornia chardonnays like Souverain. Egads. And I have another friend who professes to love Bordeaux, but he also loves not just Australian shiraz but Barossa region shiraz for that extreme, sweet ripeness. How is THAT possible? With him, I just have to think he loves Bordeaux because he thinks he should, but name/price/prestige considerations aside he'd live on Barossa wines.

Don't get me wrong -- I only speak for my palate. I'd never denigrate anyone for their preferences in wine. I might try to steer them to classic styles to see if they might have an "awakening" but if they are happy drinking oaky CA Cabs, more power to them. I was happy drinking Kistler Chard many moons ago until I tasted a good Chablis. There is no right or wrong in wine, only personal preferences.

Make no mistake, CP is a very well-made wine. The style is deliberate, but it is not for me personally, especially at the price point. I'd rather spend the same money on a Pichon Baron or Pichon Lalande.

Thanks for the welcome back. I drifted away and realized what and who I was missing.
JP

The style is deliberate, but it is not for me personally, especially at the price point. I'd rather spend the same money on a Pichon Baron or Pichon Lalande.

That's what the proprietor of one of my favorite small wine shops said when I asked him about Spottswoode.

That's what the proprietor of one of my favorite small wine shops said when I asked him about Spottswoode.

He's obviously a very astute fellow!

Randy, after all that, I went with the 1997 BV Delatour Reserve. It was quite nice, just showing its age, especially having followed a bottle of 2000 BV Tapestry. Have a great New Year.
JP