No, it's not going to end any time soon. '06 looks like it's in the mold of '99 and '04 with fresh, racy fruit and nicely balanced wines. And '07 looks, very, very promising...

All the regular suspects, but I wish James could have kept his rating secret a bit longer. We wandered into Clos Des Papes this past September without an appointment. They were really gracious and opened their 'tasting room'. They also poured 2003, 2004 and 2005 for us. I figured I'd buy the 2005 when I got home, since it is also our wedding year. Now I wish I had filled my luggage with the stuff

Happy: '05 was also my wedding year - so basically another excuse to justify buying a boatload of wine. Have to convince the wife that it is in our best interest.

James: I don't know if my wallet can take it. I might have to raise the white flag at some point. Quick question: Do you think the '04s will be ready to drink sooner than the '03s and '05s? I know there will probably be exceptions for some producers, but if you could generalize . . .

Yes, '04 will be the vintage to drink while you wait for the top '03s and most '05s to hit their peak. Not that '04 is an early drinking vintage - I believe '04 will show some surprising staying power - but the vintage is fresher and more open-knit.

Most of the top '03s have already tightened up, and I suspect '05 will shut down quickly as well...

'98 is re-emerging from its closed phase, '99 also continues to drink nicely, and the '01s just get better and better...

Thanks!

I will be drinking Domaine Chante Cigale. For me these wines are much better value for money than Vieux Telegraphe, Sabon, Beaucastel etc. They do a very good white as well.

I would agree that in general Rhones are more attractive than Bordeaux, Burgundy or california because of the price. However this could be said more particularly of Southern Rhone wines from outside CNDP such as Cairanne and Seguret where you can find some great wines for a fraction of the price of CNDP.

for the money domaine du Grand Tinel "Establet" is a darkhorse.

yes, prices for the top wines have gone up...but for under $40, Domaine de la Côte de l'Ange (regular bottling), Perrin & Fils, Lucien Barrot & Fils (the '05), Clos du Mont-Olivet (regular cuvée), the La Roquète from Daniel Brunier, Château Fortia, Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes and more....

James,

Janasse (which I've tasted a couple of months ago) is already in my wine fridge, I'll probably add to that the more reasonably priced CdP 2005. The quality is amazing and prices are not Bordeaux crazy.

Yaron.

Keeno- Congrats to you for also picking a great wine year to get married As I am the wife, and my hubby also loves great juice, it's a marriage made in wine heaven! James- Of the 3 vintages we tasted in France, we took several bottles of the '04 to consume on the rest of our trip, agreeing with your view of their early drinkability. My question has to do with the closed phase. Do you think the 04's will also go through this? If so will it be like a 'normal' vintage, or possibly to a lesser/shorter extent? Thanks, JJ

I placed my '05orders early hoping to get in before initial offerings run out and/or prices went up.

I'm shocked some of these ordered from PC are in already!

Pegau Reservee
Usseglio Deux Freres (in)
Clos des Papes (in)
Clos du Caillou Reserve (in)
Eddie Feraud
Clos St Jean Deus ex Machina
Sabon Secret de Sabon

Will soon be buying again (mostly QPR's), but nowhere near the WAD I shot earlier in the year.

6 x 750ml @ $38.24 2005 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Cervaro della Sala Umbria IGT
1 x 750ml @ $14.44 2006 Allegrini Soave
1 x 750ml @ $13.59 2004 Sélectionné par Laurence Féraud Vin de Pays d'Oc Grenache/Syrah 'Pegovino' (aka Plume Bleue)
1 x 750ml @ $33.99 2000 Fratelli Recchia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
1 x 750ml @ $39.99 2000 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Nice Joe, but what do those wines have to do with '05 CdP's. Wrong thread maybe?

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
Nice Joe, but what do those wines have to do with '05 CdP's. Wrong thread maybe?

Oops! I was scanning down the list for "buying" and hit the reply button. Mea culpa.

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
Nice Joe, but what do those wines have to do with '05 CdP's. Wrong thread maybe?

I think wiml might be drinking a CdP while he post.

Prices are moving upwards. '05 Clos de Papes for $90 and '05 Pegau for $70 were my last two purchases. I would go through PC but I'm not sure my state laws will allow them to mail it to me when it arrives....whenever that is.

HappyCSW: The '04s will likely close up somewhat, as most CdP vintages do, but they are still open for now....

James, what di you think of the 2004 Clos du Cailou Reserve CDP? Worth $50?

Pipeau: It's hard for me to comment specifically on new wines outside of the magazine's formal review process, or tell someone how much to spend on a bottle of wine (the reviews have to speak for themselves and a person has to make up their own mind about what they're willing to spend).

I can generalize and say that I consider the domaine to be an excellent producer and '04 is a very good vintage.

Note: I have not formally reviewed Domaine Vacheron-Pouizin's '04s, but reviews on the '05s will appear shortly.

James, kind of OT, but here's a vote of thanks for your willingness to hang out here - I think everyone on here appreciates it.

Now that you guys have the blogs, the tasting editors aren't around as much. I certainly understand that the business side would prefer your time on the blogs (premium content drives revenue) but thank you for also sharing your thoughts here.

Squirrel

I overloaded I think on 2003s.... Decided to skip 2004 (mostly), and load up on 2005s. But then my budget didn't cooperate (all those darn mailing lists... gotta skip some).

So now, I'm thinking I'll be skipping most 2005s and waiting on 2007s??? Don't know. I'm just glad there are so many good vintages available. Maybe I should go back and get some 2004s whose prices didn't jump like the 2005 vintage seems to be doing.

quote:

Originally posted by Lentini:
Maybe I should go back and get some 2004s whose prices didn't jump like the 2005 vintage seems to be doing.

Lentini,

I've gotta say, I've been loading up on 04s and the prices are pretty darn good compared to what I am seeing in the 05s. Quality seems spot on as well.

I sense a theme for the Nov. MD offline?

So far I've found the 2005 CdP's in the stores be great values. Just picked up Mont Olivet rated 93 for $30 and others of that quality in the same price range. I'm going to regret not picking up a few cases...

I had another thread on wine flaws based on the Mont Olivet, but I've learned something from that experience. I'm on night 4 of the Olivet now and it's really great. But it took more than a day for it to taste good. The fruit is still restrained, and it's very, very tannic. I'll get more no doubt.

Anything that is 90-92 points and about $25. That is my mantra.