I'm currently in the Rhone, working my way through the '03, '04 and '05 vintages. Every now and then I get to try something old, such as this Chateauneuf-du-Pape from the Coulon family of Domaine de Beaurenard.
Haunting tea, vanilla and sanguine notes lead the way for this stunningly elegant wine, with a still vibrant minerally, almost salty spine. Long, ethereal finish of spice box, dates and dried fruits (currant, blood orange). Extremely mature but maintains great freshness. From an extremely hot year, like ‘03. I guessed ‘59, that’s how fresh it still is. Seems almost silly to rate it, but - 99 points.
Only 20 bottles left - Frederic and Daniel's father Paul hid the supply of this wine behind a brick wall during WWII.
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