this delivers it all and will tremendously reward those that cellar away a case ~ black cherry & raspberry in the forms of fruit, preserves, candy and liqueur ~ lavender, garrigue, exotic spices ~ simultaneously juicy & dusty ~ DEEELISH
this delivers it all and will tremendously reward those that cellar away a case ~ black cherry & raspberry in the forms of fruit, preserves, candy and liqueur ~ lavender, garrigue, exotic spices ~ simultaneously juicy & dusty ~ DEEELISH
Feb 13th, 2024
Popped and poured; enjoyed over a couple of hours. Isabel’s 2020 Chateauneuf-du-Pape pours a deep ruby with a magenta rim and a near opaque core. On the nose, it’s deeply fruited with a combination of red and black bramble fruit, garrigue, olive tapenade, and corned beef? Not sure I have ever pulled that from a wine before today! Similar on the palate with great depth and more pronounced, almost gritty tannins that I would place the medium+ category. Acid is also medium+. True to her style, Isabel’s CdP is elegant. All of the fruit comes from Les Serres in the South of Chateauneuf, from one parcel surrounding the winery. No surprise, this is a Grenache-led blend with a healthy amount of Cinsault and rounded out by Mourvèdre and Syrah. The Grenache is whole cluster this year and the aging vessels are an interesting combination of glass demi-john, amphorae, and wood foudre. While this is painfully primary, I think time is going to be necessary to realize the full potential here. This is a very pretty version of Chateauneauf-du-Pape and not a powerhouse. Drink now with patience and through 2036.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over a couple of hours. Isabel’s 2020 Chateauneuf-du-Pape pours a deep ruby with a magenta rim and a near opaque core. On the nose, it’s deeply fruited with a combination of red and black bramble fruit, garrigue, olive tapenade, and corned beef? Not sure I have ever pulled that from a wine before today! Similar on the palate with great depth and more pronounced, almost gritty tannins that I would place the medium+ category. Acid is also medium+. True to her style, Isabel’s CdP is elegant. All of the fruit comes from Les Serres in the South of Chateauneuf, from one parcel surrounding the winery. No surprise, this is a Grenache-led blend with a healthy amount of Cinsault and rounded out by Mourvèdre and Syrah. The Grenache is whole cluster this year and the aging vessels are an interesting combination of glass demi-john, amphorae, and wood foudre. While this is painfully primary, I think time is going to be necessary to realize the full potential here. This is a very pretty version of Chateauneauf-du-Pape and not a powerhouse. Drink now with patience and through 2036.
Feb 14th, 2023
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhône, Rhône, France
