This was the best in a series of '05 CDP that we tried over the weekend. Great balance and very well put together. Notes of briary blackberry, mocha, blueberry, sweet cigar spice, and creme de cassis. Long finish, fleshy, and perfect tannin and acid balance. 96 pts.

Thanks for the notes. I have three and I don't have the guts to open one early. Sounds like for you the wine is great early before it may shut down. I would have thought this would be infanticide. I'd love to know what other 05 Cdp's you tried over the weekend?

So far, from the 2005 CdP vintage, I've tried

cuvee du vatican sixtine
Domaine Du Pegau
Coudoulet de beaucastel
chateau beaucastel
La Roquete
Pesquie

All have been very tasty and quite enjoyable. Might want to try some before they shut down. Very hard to stop myself from drinking them

This was definitely not shut down. Obviously no secondary character to it, but overall very enjoyable and very apparent to why this garners it's high ratings.

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
Thanks for the notes. I have three and I don't have the guts to open one early. Sounds like for you the wine is great early before it may shut down. I would have thought this would be infanticide. I'd love to know what other 05 Cdp's you tried over the weekend?

mpls wine guy,

I wasn't part of this tasting, but I've had both of Chapoutier's '05 better CdPs wth DRAB and I think I rated the Croix de Bois a 94+ and the Barbe Rac a 94.5++ (potential for significant improvement over its already wonderful taste.) Both will only get better (the Barbe Rac especially) but both are absolutely phenominal right now .

I've also had the '05 Vieux Telegraphe twice and it is wonderful. I ALWAYS find VT to taste of Pinot, but every other time I've had it, it has reminded me of Burgundy. In '05 it reminds me of a CA Pinot -- but not just lush and sweet, but also nuanced and balanced. Like a great Etude Heirloom or a Rivers-Marie. FWIW

Finally you are into Rhones.

Thanks for the notes guys. I'm gonna hold my 05's and live vicariously through you. I only have 3 Vieux Telegraphe, 3 Beaucastel, 3 Janasse Chaupin, 3 Clos des Papes, and 3 Pegau reservee right now and I want to see what they will be like in ten years. I did get to taste the 05 Pegau with my brother and it was quite tasty young. Enjoy!