The Pope is in the House

The quick posting from our wine club tasting this last weekend - excuse the spellings - they will be cleaned up in a later version with proper notes to follow :)

Once again we managed to get together for an eclectic tasting, this time of southern Rhone and the popular multi-varietal blend Chateaueuf-du-Pape. Here's the Wikipedia link for the wine geek:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rh%C3%B4ne_wine#Southern_Rh.C3.B4ne

We tasted a total of seven bottles, and they all averaged arund $30 to $40. Not a cheap wine, and the ost amazing thing is that they all had similar bouquets - amazing!

Top Three vote getters (in order)

2005 Clos de L'Oratorie des Papes - 8 votes - here is the write up on it (so much better than me writing it) - 90-92 points from Robert Parker: "The 2005 Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a deep purple color and a somewhat modern style of up-front black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with a bit of licorice, spice box, and flowers. It is deep, round, generously endowed with silky tannin and no shortage of near-term appeal, although I suspect it’s capable of lasting at least a decade. This is another estate that has turned away from making rather run-of-the-mill, overly commercial wines and seems to be intent on turning out far more concentrated, nuanced, and complex examples of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with their luxury cuvee, Les Choregies, a really top-notch wine. Drink 2007 - 2017" 90 Points Wine Spectator: "Dark and juicy, with fig paste, currant, mocha, tar and graphite notes that stay fresh and racy through the finish. The structure is nicely embedded. Drink now through 2015. 7,500 cases made." (10/07)"

2002 Chateau la Nerthe - 7 votes - "Our last wine came from Château La Nerthe, one of the main producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and one of the most historic domains in France—the wines of Château La Nerthe were served at the court of Louis XVI in Versailles. One of the property's owner was the eminent Commandant Joseph Ducos, the first French grower who imported American rootstock to overcome the phylloxera epidemic, and who is remembered as the soul of the viticultural reconstitution. The 2002 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château La Nerthe had a medium ruby color and a earthy nose of sweet berry and jasmine aromas. The palate was round, fruity, and peppery. For a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the wine was rather light and easily overpowered by the Schwarz Thiele Road Grenache (2002, known as the "flood" vintage, produced light wines in the Southern Rhône). But, as the dinner progressed, I found the wine to be one of the most food friendly and balanced of the tasting. The wine finished in third position. "

http://manageyourcellar.blogspot.com/2006/09/blind-tasting-of-grenache-based-wines.html

2005 Cuvee de Vatican - 7 votes (my wine!) - "Powerful, rich Châteauneuf - layers of brambles, redcurrants, and spice. Parker loves what he calls Vatican's "powerful, rich, in-your-face style of wine" so we fully expect a rave review for this 2005. It has all the hallmark layers of brambles, redcurrants, spice and tar yet - incredibly - with even more ample body and flavour than in previous years. Above all, it's the balance and purity that set this apart. Winemaker Jean-Marc Diffonty deserves all the praise he receives and is delighted that there's so much enthusiasm for his wines among our members. Drink 2007-2016."

"The property owns 23 ha. AOC Chateauneuf du Pape. White wine is made from 1 ha.The blend for the classic red cuvée comes from 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Cincault. The grapes are not de-stemmed. The fermented wine is matured for 18-30 months in old foudres.Cuvée Reserve Sixtine comes from old vines: 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre. The yield is limited to 25 hl./ha. The wine is at first matured in steeltanks and then for about one year in new barriques (60%) and old foudres. "

2005 Domaine de la Cote de L'ange - 6 votes

"A rising star of the region. This winery hangs on to tradition as it has been around for many generations. This vintage is well-made, with low acidity, lovely fruit, and an attractive, plump style, it should be enjoyed during its first decade of life. "

Runners up:

2004 Les Vignes de Alexrandra - 5 votes

2005 Les Vignes de Alexrandra - 4 votes (they actually were different)

2005 E. Guigal - 1 vote! - "Red Wine Rhone Blends from Guigal Rhone. ... the 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape... has the potential to be the finest Chateauneuf Guigal has produced. It reveals more power, richness, and intensity than any previous vintage, including the highly regarded 2000" - so what happened? The taster's notes: "Sweet dirt! Very easy and smooth - medium finish, young and very drinkable" ONly one person ranked it 3rd - oh well.

Earth, leather, and tannins - oh, my! Interestingly, they all possessed a very similar earthy and complex nose except for one or two exceptions, and the finishes varied as well. Some had more tannins than others, and it was obvious that this was a wine to wait for, but also drinkable as is, depending on your thirstiness! A great introduction for many of us to this complex wine that comes from a rocky region in southern France. Thanks Steve, and more later!