Normally $35, I was able to take advantage of a special for the 2005 Paul Autard Chateneuf Du Papeat $25 just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. I grabbed 4 bottles because though this red blend from the southern part of the Cotes du Rhone region of France is drinkable now, it can be kept for another 10 years. I hope to try it again in a few more years and then a few more after that to see how it changes.
This is a traditional blend from the southern Rhone with 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Couniese along with Cinsault, Mourvedre and Muscardin.
Color: Deep, ruby red
Nose: Some bitter dark chocolate, slight charcoal and reminded me of port (note: 14.5% alcohol), maybe some licorice
Taste: Cinnamon like you get on the crust of an apple pie or some kind of coffee cake, raisins and maybe clove. A good bit of spice that leads to tannins that cover the entire mouth and finishes nicely
Overall, I think this is a good cross-over wine if you’re interested in trying the old world styles because the Syrah gives you that familiar spice and tannic character, but you get a feel for the flavors and complexities that come with blending the classic Rhone varietals listed above.
The bottle itself was also very cool with raised glass design of the words spelling out Chateneuf Du Pape… maybe a nice mantle-piece that you can turn into a candle for Christmas?
Ed,
Thanks for the post. Jack & I just split a 6 pack of this (lucky enough to get the same price as you). Jack speaks highly of it. I’m looking forward to pouring a glass or 2 or 3.
I just ran across Paul Autard’s Cuvee La Cote Ronde 2005, which is supposed to be even better than this (at least according to Jim at Mink’s, or should I say “the associate at my local wine merchant”). Supposedly, the Cuvee is from the select grapes of teh harvest. Anyway, I liked the first bottle this wine that I opened, but I did let it decant for over an hour.
Sweet… and you can plug the local wine merchant … and even tell him you did, so maybe he’ll check us out and add some thoughts to help us get better with wine..