2004 Domaine Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône Villages "Les Champauvins"

I picked up a couple of bottles of this at lunch today. Should this be cellared?

Thanks.

Tom T.

[Robin Garr]

I picked up a couple of bottles of this at lunch today. Should this be cellared?

Tom, I love this wine ... it's literally grown directly across a fence line from the producer's Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards, and it comes about as close to being a "Baby Chateauneuf" as it gets. It's usually fairly priced, too.

I find it works well for drinking right up, but I wouldn't hesitate to cellar it. (Although that being said, I haven't done so, so I can't speak with the voice of experience here.)

Good to see you back in the forum!

TOM! speak of the devil, it was just a week or so back that someone brought up your name here on the forum. It's good to see that you still fool around here. I have had the reserve of the Grand Veneur CdR, and it was a fine drop, but alas, I have no experience with the "Les Champauvins"

Robin,

Thanks! A shelf talker and an $18 price tag prompted me to to grab a few bottles.

Tom T.

Bob,

Thanks. Is the CdR Reserve worth looking for?

Tom T.

Tom, I believe the vintage I recently picked up was the 2004 (with a gold label) and it is definitely a more than decent CdR worth the $11 and change price. I will check the vintage and if 2004 is not correct I will get back to you. Am sure thought that it was not the '03 as I am for the most part avoiding those from all over France if not Europe.

Normally this wine last at least 5 years, and will probably be better with another 2-3 years bottle age. The 2001 was still excellent last year and in no danger of disappearing.

Normally this wine last at least 5 years, and will probably be better with another 2-3 years bottle age. The 2001 was still excellent last year and in no danger of disappearing.

John, I suspect that you are right about this wine. I saw nothing that made me think there was any hurry to drink the 2004 vintage, and given even decent cool storage it should easily go 5 years.

John,

Thanks!

Tom T.

Damn, I wish this thread was 3 days earlier. I eyed a few bottles of this on sale at Zachys Sunday, and passed. Now I wish I had gotten a few. Welcome back Tom.