Opinions on Chateauneuf du Papes?

I wanted to check out a couple of CdPs and wondered if anyone here had opinions on them. My luck with French wine has been so hit or miss that I've gotten gunshy about spending $30 or more without some outside help.

The prices are those of my local retailer. What do you think?

2003 Domaine de Saint-Paul Chateauneuf du Pape 33.99

2003 Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf du Pape 29.99

[Robin Garr]

I wanted to check out a couple of CdPs and wondered if anyone here had opinions on them. My luck with French wine has been so hit or miss that I've gotten gunshy about spending $30 or more without some outside help.

The prices are those of my local retailer. What do you think?

2003 Domaine de Saint-Paul Chateauneuf du Pape 33.99

2003 Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf du Pape 29.99

Laura, I haven't tasted those wines in particular, but be aware that with very few exceptions, 2003 in the Rhone produced unusually "California-style" wines, big and fat and alcoholic, low in acid, high in tannins, wines that Parker and the Speck love but that I do not. Depending on your affection for this style of wine, you might either want to steer clear or head for it.

In general, vintage issues aside, the lower $30s is a pretty reasonable range for less big-name Chateauneufs.

There should still be plenty of '01s on the shelf. I like Domaine St. Benoit, Boisrenard (pricey!), and all the wines that come out under the name of Jerome Quiot, including Vieux Lazaret, which is often reasonably priced.

[James Roscoe]

Laura, I have had the 2001 Cigale. It was very nice. The 2003 is a bit of a fruitbomb. I think the 2004 is a return to the 2001 style. That is the vintage we are seeing. $30 is not a bad price for a solid CdP offering.

Chante Cigale makes a Vielles Vignes and regular bottling. To echo James (if memory serves, it was VV I really liked), the 2001 was really nice. They try to stay as traditional and reserved on big fruit (as much as one can in CDP), but 2003 was a hard year to do that. With some Cotes-du-Rhone creeping up over $20, $30 is a nice price for a small and reputable producer like Chante Cigale.


Prost!
Bill

Chante Cigale is a CdP producer that I adored in the mid to late 1980s. If they're still making the same wine now, you can't go wrong with them. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find their wines for years. Chante Cigale and Mont Olivet have always been my favorite CdP producers.

-Paul W.

Thanks much guys. I think I'll take a chance with the Cigale, given your comments. This may be a way to start seeing how I calibrate with Mr. Parker - something I haven't really experimented with yet.

Off to the wine shop!

[James Roscoe]

Does Parker like the Cigale? I didn't know. I guess I ought to pay more attention to the shelf talkers in the store.

Does Parker like the Cigale? I didn't know. I guess I ought to pay more attention to the shelf talkers in the store.

This is what Parker said, per my retailer:

Review by Robert Parker
Wine Advocate #163 (Feb 2006)
Rating: 92 points
Drink 2006-2016

The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape (aged 50% in foudres, 35% in tank, and 15% in small barrels) shows superb quality with a big, sweet nose of tapenade, ground pepper, kirsch, blackberry, and licorice. The wine has great fruit, full body, tremendous density, and a layered, full-bodied palate with even a hint of truffle emerging. This wine should drink well for up to a decade.

[James Roscoe]

Does Parker like the Cigale? I didn't know. I guess I ought to pay more attention to the shelf talkers in the store.

This is what Parker said, per my retailer:

Review by Robert Parker
Wine Advocate #163 (Feb 2006)
Rating: 92 points
Drink 2006-2016

The 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape (aged 50% in foudres, 35% in tank, and 15% in small barrels) shows superb quality with a big, sweet nose of tapenade, ground pepper, kirsch, blackberry, and licorice. The wine has great fruit, full body, tremendous density, and a layered, full-bodied palate with even a hint of truffle emerging. This wine should drink well for up to a decade.

This stuff is readily available at my BAWS. I will have to try the '03 if they have any left. My memory is that they are currently stocking the 'o4 which is a much better vintage IMNSHO.