La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

I took one whiff and a taste of this and remembered why I love CdP. Red and black berries, earthy, dried herbs, raspberry and coal dust. 60% Grenache; 20% Mourvèdre; 15% Syrah and 5% other permitted varieties Has depth and flavour but does it at just medium bodied. I didn’t realise I had a bottle in mid June 2023. I normally try to spread them out a bit.

Quite a pale crimson - a very Burgundian colour. Noticeable notes of garrigue - rosemary and thyme, also dried plum. Ultra savoury on the M+ intensity palate but quite light in palate weight, in fact probably the lightest weight CdP I’ve probably ever had. Finishing with fine dry tannins. Light and flavoursome - still very enjoyable.

I was really looking forward to one of the leading Grand Crus from CDP, but this bottle unfortunately was slightly oxidized. I could still taste the remnants of what probably is a great wine. Showing a lot of balance. Oh well, need to revisit.

All the major food groups

Wild rustic herbs/garrigue. Marzipan, potpourri, black pepper, raspberry jam, fino. Garnet through and through. Moderate acidity, elevated tannins. Full body at 14.5%.

Amazing. Half bottle. Incense, baking spice, wild fruit, stoney minerality, balanced acidity, medium body and light color. Beautiful! Thanks Doug!

What can one say.. crushed rocks, incense, rustic fruit, baked spice, nice acid, cured meat and silky body.

Sarah had this 3 years ago

Big wine. Honied citrus.

2016 from magnum: lush blue/purple fruit and violets all around. Super compulsively drinkable… I think in its prime window now really: tannins and acidity existing in beautiful unison!