Wine Review
| Chateauneuf-Du-Pape 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rating: |  |
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| Winery: | Chateau de Beaucastel | |||||||||||||||||||
| Country: |  |
France | ||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: Rhone Valley | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Description: The vineyard is a patchwork of all 13 permitted grape varieties, 70 hectares in all. The soil is the same porous, aerated blanket of Alpine diluvium (rounded stones) on a base of Miocene marine limestone that exists elsewhere on the estate. The vines are on average 50 years old and yields are never more than 30 hectolitres per hectare and often much less. It is a vibrant and healthy vineyard due to years of organic cultivation and close monitoring of the needs of each vine. The red wine of Beaucastel as with Coudoulet de Beaucastel is a structured, intense yet lean drink, thanks in part to the large percentage of Mourvedre - about 30% - in the final cuvée. Its austere tannic backbone and resistant to oxidation help Beaucastel age gracefully. |
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| Price: | 80.00 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Great wine, don't buy just one ; ) |
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| by Daniel | ||||||||||||||||||
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I was really impressed with the 2004 Chateauneuf Du Pape. It wasn't at all floral, but the spices and smoke were perfectly leveled for a great savory red. Tannins suggest the wine will only improve with age, the longer the better, but it's a great wine to drink now as well. Would pair well with a red meat, but better to enjoy this one alone or with a rich brie. Deep spicy nose, somewhere around nutmeg and cinnamon with a hint of black currant. Taste was a smoky sage with tannins, enough to make it crisp but not overpowering, while still carrying through the black fruit. The flavors were mixed perfectly, and blended fairly well. One one of the bests wines I've had to date. |
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