WTN: 2004 Clos des Papes CdP

2004 Clos des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape
I figured this would be way too young for my tastes but … I couldn’t resist. The rest of my bottles will sleep. Not much showing from the nose at first but with time there was dark fruits, earth and grilled meats. Definitely a mouth coating wine but not heavy. Dried red fruits hit you at first and then the flavors go on and on. Anise and mint mix in. Brambly fruit in the middle and then blackberry jam with a touch of cream. The tannins kick in right away and dry you mouth out but there is still so much going on and the acidity made it work so well with food. After about 3 hours I noticed the fruit getting more pure. Certainly not in the pocket for my palate but it will be a beauty. I like to score but this was so uninvolved so I’ll go with a range. 92-94 pts. I will not touch again for at least 5 years.

Jason

I like this house -- I have older vintages in the cellar -- but at $65 a bottle they have lost their QPR. I can buy equal quality (or close) much cheaper.

I like this house -- I have older vintages in the cellar -- but at $65 a bottle they have lost their QPR. I can buy equal quality (or close) much cheaper.

Randy, isn't it about true that following 2003 most all CndP have lost their QPR? Take the Pegau reservee. I bought the 1999 for $25 per, and the 2000 for a bit more but not a lot. the 01 was IIRC $29 per. the 02 a weak rain sodden vintage hit $45 per. the 03 came out at $70 and when it made #2 for the Speck, it went to $100. the 04 is now out and is priced at $90 per. As much as I love Pegau, I simply will NOT pay that kind of $$. I have purchased my last Beaucastel as well. There are a lot of wines out there that give me as much (different, but as much) pleasure and cost me way way less.

A few of the houses have gone the way of the critics and believe their own press. Prices have gone through the roof for Clos des Papes, Beaucastel, Pegau, Roger Sabon and Domaine Marcoux. This doesn't even look at the plethora of special cuvees that have popped up like weeds selling for upwards of $100, with the Roger Sabon Le Secret des Sabon selling for $250! Not for me -- there are still solid CdPs for reasonable prices. I hear the 05s are going to be even worse, Bob.

Randy, what in your opinion are the "solid" CdPs that are still available for "reasonable" prices?
I am fortunate to have bought a bunch of good ones from 1998 - 2001, fabulous years. Even 1999, the least favored by the critics, produced some great ones at reasonable prices. I purchased no 02s, and only a couple of 03s pretty much for immediate consumption, but the prices of the Pegau, Beaucastel, Clos des Papes, Vieux Telegraphe, etc. have pretty much shut me down. The only 04 purchased to date has been the Perrin & Fils le Sinards CdP at $24, purchased after tasting it at a recent Beaucastel dinner where the big dog was offered at $100. Too much.

OW, I purchased several 04 Rhones at the sub-$40 range (or close) that is my usual limit, or goal if you will.

2004 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape -- $34
2004 Domaine André Brunel Côtes du Rhône Villages Cuvée Sabrine -- $12
2004 Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape -- $28
2004 Domaine La Garrigue Vacqueyras -- $16
2004 Mas de Boislauzon Châteauneuf-du-Pape -- $28
2004 Domaine de la Mordorée Lirac La Dame Rousse -- $17
2004 Domaine les Pallieres Gigondas -- $25
2004 Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60 -- $43
2004 Château de Saint-Cosme Gigondas -- $24
2004 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Imperiale -- $39
2004 Domaine Pierre Usseglio Châteauneuf-du-Pape -- $30
2004 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape -- $39
2004 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Crau -- $42
2004 Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage -- $24
2004 Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre -- $27

Bargin hunters can still score well at the Villages level and even the nearby appellations of Vacqueyras, Gigondas and Lirac.

Nice list. I'm part way there with St. Cosme, Pallieres, la Garrigue and Mordoree. I will look for the others, but haven't seen them yet in my market, except for the Vieux Telegraphe which was considerably higher than $42.
Thanks for giving me a bunch to look for.

I will look for the others, but haven't seen them yet in my market

Wine-searcher.com is my friend. I just checked -- I have 18 shops in my wine stores folder. I thought Michigan allowed shipping???

I liked the 2004 Clos des Papes when I had it last month in a local restaurant. I remember it being nicely lush, but, imho, had the tannin structure and fresh acidity that would make it better in few years time. As it was, this was already a good food wine. I look forward to having this in a few years time with the couple of magnums that I have stashed away.

Ramon

Wine-searcher.com is my friend. I just checked -- I have 18 shops in my wine stores folder. I thought Michigan allowed shipping???

Theoretically, only from wineries and not retail stores.

Nice list. A few I haven't tried. Cheers!

Jason